University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) employees can get $18,500 toward a down payment and closing costs — $16,000 from UMB and $2,500 from the city of Baltimore. 

In the past, employees could get a total of $5,000 through the program instead of $18,500. The new program also targets a smaller set of neighborhoods and has been formed in collaboration with partners from the community, city, state, and local nonprofits. Overall, the improved program has greater opportunities available for UMB employees and the community at large. 

Regular full- or part-time (50 percent FTE or more) faculty or staff employees of UMB in good standing and considered creditworthy. Employees also will need to complete a homeownership counseling program provided by a U.S. Housing and Urban Development-certified housing counselor before signing a contract for sale. Learn more about our eligibility requirements. 

Yes.

No. Neither UMB undergraduate nor graduate students qualify for the LNYW Program. 

The Baltimore City LNYW program requires a homeownership counseling certificate to be eligible for its funds. UMB chose to require a similar mandate because the program eligibility and parameters are similar. Learn more about how to access homeownership counseling. 

Employees are required to contribute a minimum homeowner down payment of $1,000. These funds may go towards things such as the home inspection, and other costs.

Employees must purchase a home in Barre Circle, Druid Heights, Franklin Square, Harlem Park, Heritage Crossing, Hollins Market, Mount Clare, Pigtown/Washington Village, Poppleton, Union Square, or Upton to qualify. Learn more about the program's targeted neighborhoods.