Reinvest Baltimore Down Payment Assistance Program
Get up to $20,000 to help cover down payment and closing costs when purchasing a qualified home in Baltimore.Funded by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and administered by NHS Baltimore, the Reinvest Baltimore Down Payment Assistance Program helps eligible buyers reduce upfront costs when purchasing qualifying homes in Baltimore neighborhoods. Funds may be used toward down payment or closing costs.
The Reinvest Baltimore Down Payment Assistance Program connects neighborhood reinvestment with homeownership by helping eligible buyers purchase renovated homes in communities where investment is restoring whole blocks – creating new opportunities for homebuyers to invest in both their future and Baltimore’s.
Program Benefits
The Reinvest Baltimore Down Payment Assistance Program can help reduce the upfront costs of purchasing a qualifying home.
Program highlights include:
- Up to $20,000 in assistance
- Funds may be used for down payment or closing costs
- Open to all buyers — not limited to first-time homebuyers
- No income limits
- Assistance is forgivable over 5 years
- 20% forgiven each year you live in the home as your primary residence
Who Can Apply
To qualify for Reinvest Baltimore Down Payment Assistance, buyers must meet program requirements and purchase an eligible home.
Homebuyers must:
- Occupy the home as their primary residence
- Complete a homebuyer workshop and one-on-one counseling
- Use a fixed-rate mortgage
- Contribute at least $1,000 toward the purchase
- Use an NHS-approved lender – View Approved Lenders List
- Sell any currently owned home before settling on the new home, if applicable
Eligible Properties
The Reinvest Baltimore Down Payment Assistance Program is available for qualified homes that meet program requirements. These properties may include renovated vacant homes supported through state revitalization funding and located in targeted Baltimore communities.
Eligible properties and locations are identified through the Reinvest Baltimore property listing page.
Property requirements include:
- Home must be a qualified property approved for the program
- Property must be used as the buyer’s primary residence
- Property must meet program and lender requirements
Program Guidelines
Before applying, buyers should understand the financing requirements tied to this program.
Guidelines include:
- Must finance with a federally insured lender
- Must use an NHS-approved lender
- No cash purchases
- No adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs)
- Loan must be under $667,000
- Property must remain your primary residence
Required Documents
To apply for Reinvest Baltimore Down Payment Assistance, buyers should be prepared to provide documentation that verifies income, assets, mortgage readiness, and purchase details.
Required documents include:
- 60 days of pay stubs
- 60 days of bank statements
- 2 years of tax returns and W-2s
- Mortgage pre-approval
- Executed purchase agreement
- Homebuyer Education certificate
Important: Complete Education and 1-on-1 Counseling Before Making an Offer
You must complete your homebuyer workshop and one-on-one counseling before making an offer on a home. No exceptions. This step is required to help ensure you understand the homebuying process, program requirements, and your responsibilities before moving forward with a purchase.
Need Help with Reinvest Baltimore DPA?
Have questions about eligibility, required documents, or next steps? NHS Baltimore can help you understand the Reinvest Baltimore Down Payment Assistance Program and determine how to move forward.
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