Maryland first-time home buyer programs
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (Maryland Mortgage Program) list 1 program that help buyers in Maryland with the down payment or closing costs. Amounts and terms are shown as the agency publishes them.
- Programs from the agency
- 1
- Biggest amount listed
- $45,000
- First-time buyers only
- None of them
- Income caps
- 80% of area median
Down payment assistance programs in Maryland
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HomeAbility. Only for people with disabilities. With Maryland Mortgage Program loan. | Up to 25% of the price, at most $45,000 | Deferred loan: 0% interest and no monthly payments. You repay it when you sell, refinance or give the home to someone else. | Up to 80% of area median income. | No |
Usually, "first-time buyers only" means you haven't owned a home during the past three years, though every program sets a rule of its own. The name of each program links to a Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (Maryland Mortgage Program) page that says whether applications are open right now. The agency also maintains its own list of participating lenders. Compare down payment assistance programs across all states, or ask a lender that works with Maryland's programs.
How do you repay Maryland's programs?
- Deferred loan: nothing to pay each month, but the full amount comes due when you sell, refinance or pay the first mortgage off.
How does your income compare with Maryland's caps?
Every program has its own income cap, which the table shows, and the exact chart is on that program's agency page. Use the HUD income limits lookup (FY2026) to find the figure for your county and household size. If a program relies on its own county chart or Freddie Mac's, the result can differ from HUD's number, and the agency's chart decides.
| HUD area | Median family income | HUD low-income limit |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $134,000 | $106,800 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $166,100 | $106,800 |
| St. Mary's County | $154,400 | $106,800 |
| Calvert County | $149,900 | $106,800 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $122,700 | $98,150 |
HUD uses about 80% of the median as a starting point. Its own caps can hold that number down, including a yearly cap on increases, so the low-income limit is under 80% in a few areas.
Talk to a lender that works with Maryland programs
These programs are paid out through the agency's approved lenders, so the lender is your next step. Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with Maryland's programs can explain which ones fit you.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.
Are you buying near a state border?
District of Columbia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia or programs for all 50 states plus DC.