In late 2024, Sombo H., a long-time Baltimore renter, reached a life-changing milestone: after years of uncertainty and rising rental costs, she became a first-time homeowner. Her story mirrors the journey of so many families across the city — hopeful, determined, and in need of a clear path forward.
When Ms. Hilton first came to NHS Baltimore, she faced common but overwhelming barriers: limited savings, a low credit score, and the difficult reality of Baltimore’s competitive housing market. But she didn’t let those challenges define what was possible.
Her journey began with NHS’s Homebuyer Education Workshop, where she gained a foundational understanding of the homebuying process. She then enrolled in financial coaching and worked closely with her coach to create a practical action plan. Step by step, she paid off collections, rebuilt her credit through strategic use of her credit card, and increased her savings from just over $2,000 to more than $4,300.
When she graduated from coaching, she moved into one-on-one counseling, a personalized session that helped her understand the true costs of owning a home, determine an affordable mortgage payment, and identify the down payment assistance programs she qualified for.
With guidance from the mortgage team and access to NHS’s first mortgage product, combined with local and federal DPA programs, she secured an affordable loan for a beautifully renovated three-bedroom rowhome in West Baltimore. In total, she received over $70,000 in down payment assistance.
Her new home is part of NHS Baltimore’s work to restore vacant properties and strengthen West Baltimore’s housing stock. Today, she stands as a powerful testament to what financial education, persistence, and the right support system can achieve.
Ms. Hilton’s journey is more than a win, it’s proof that homeownership is possible, achievable, and within reach for families across Baltimore. A full-circle moment that reminds us why this mission matters.
Ready to start your homeownership journey?
NHS Baltimore can help you prepare, learn, and finance your first home – just like the homeowners featured in our stories.
About NHS Baltimore
Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore (NHS Baltimore) is a community-based nonprofit with more than 50 years of experience supporting sustainable homeownership and housing stability for Baltimore City residents. Through HUD-certified homebuyer education, one-on-one counseling, locally tailored lending, and neighborhood reinvestment, NHS Baltimore provides trusted guidance rooted in real-world housing practice.