UMB’s Live Near Your Work (LNYW) Program and similar grants require the completion of a homeownership program provided by a HUD-certified housing counselor before signing a contract of sale.

If both you and your spouse will be on the mortgage note, both spouses must earn their homeownership counseling certificate.

You are not required to obtain your certification from UMB’s on-site agency. Organizations that sponsor the homeownership counseling are listed on the Live Baltimore site.

Homeownership Counseling is mandatory for all LNYW applicants, prior to signing a contract of sale. This includes both the general workshop and the one-on-one counseling session. There are no exceptions to this policy. 

For further financial and homeownership classes, Live Baltimore hosts virtual sessions covering mortgage applications, credit preparation, homebuying incentives, and more. Visit their events page for upcoming classes.