Baltimore City offers first-time homebuyers assistance up to $10,000 towards down payments and closing costs. If the property is located in “Impact Investment Areas”, the homebuyer may be eligible for an additional $10,000. 

The Direct Homeownership Program may be used in conjunction with the Baltimore City First-Time Homebuyer Incentive program, but is not a program on its own. The Direct Homeownership Assistance Program provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers who either purchase the house they have rented and occupied for at least six months, or have a household member with a disability.

Eligibility Requirements 

• The property must be the homebuyer’s primary residence
• The homebuyer must be a first-time homebuyer or have not owned a home in the past three years
• The homebuyer must contribute a minimum of $1,000 of their own funds at settlement 
• Household income cannot exceed 80% Area Median Income (AMI)
• The homebuyer must earn a homeownership counseling certificate prior to making an offer on the property 
• The homebuyer must apply for and be approved for the program prior to settlement
• The mortgage amount cannot exceed the current FHA mortgage limit of $517,500 
• The mortgage must be a fixed-rate mortgage
• The property must have a “Housing Quality Standard” (HQS) inspection

Contact Information

Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, Office of Homeownership
Website