You can find information below about mortgage programs that you may find helpful.
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Mortgage Programs
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has mortgage programs for qualifying buyers, including programs for first-time home buyers and people with disabilities.
Maryland Mortgage Program
The Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) provides 30-year fixed-rate home loans to eligible homebuyers purchasing in Maryland. Loan terms are competitive with other home loan products on the market, but what makes MMP unique is the range of associated financial incentives and other assistance that, for many homebuyers, means the difference between being able to purchase and continuing to rent. MMP down payment assistance can only be obtained with an MMP first mortgage; it is not a standalone option.
HomeAbility Mortgage Program for People with Disabilities
HomeAbility is a special product designed to assist Maryland homebuyers with disabilities to finance their home purchase. This is a conventional loan product and provides an 80% Loan to Value (LTV) first lien and up to 25% in a second lien to assist with down payment and closing costs. No mortgage insurance is required. The interest rate for the first lien is posted on the Interest Rates page; the second lien has a rate of 0% and payment is deferred for the life of the first lien, but becomes payable upon sale, refinance or transfer of the home. To be eligible for the HomeAbility program, one of the borrowers must be a person with a disability OR one of the borrowers is a guardian for, resides with, and is the principal caregiver for an immediate family member who has a disability (regardless of age).
Home Purchase through a Special Needs Trust
Many families with a loved one who has a disability have created a “special needs trust” to help manage the financial needs of their loved one. The issue of housing is often part of the planning through a special needs trust. Some families would prefer that the loved one continue to live in the family home, while others wish to plan for their loved one to have a different home. In addition, families are likely to consider the options of their loved one renting vs owning a home.
The Arc of the United States has prepared information to assist families with these considerations. Go to this website to learn more.
Conventional Mortgages
People with disabilities can also purchase a home with a conventional mortgage loan. These loans are offered by many banks and other financial institutions. Different financial institutions may have different mortgage products and interest rates. For a general guide to obtaining a mortgage, visit Here’s how to get a mortgage.
Home Purchase by Family
A family may have the resources to purchase a home for their loved one with a disability or to allow the person with a disability to continue to live in the family home when they move to another place. It is important that the impact of the family assistance with room and board costs on SSI income be understood and considered. Remember that the “presumed maximum value” of assistance with room and board will be about one-third of the SSI monthly benefit.
Financing Home Maintenance and Improvement
The State of Maryland has programs that may help pay for home improvement and modifications for accessibility. Programs that may help are listed below.
Independent Living Tax Credit
This is a new program through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development that can assist you with making accessibility modifications.
WholeHome Program
This program can help you make valuable repairs and enhancements to your home that can lower your family’s monthly utility bills and improve your quality of life.
Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program
The purpose of the Maryland Housing Rehabilitation Program is to preserve and improve single family properties and one-to-four-unit rental properties. It is a program designed to bring properties up to applicable building codes and standards.
Indoor Plumbing Program
The purpose of the Indoor Plumbing Program is to provide indoor plumbing in residential properties.
Special Targeted Applicant Rehabilitation Program
The purpose of the Special Targeted Applicant Rehabilitation Program is to preserve and improve single-family properties. Special Targeted Applicant Rehabilitation is a program designed to bring properties up to applicable building codes and standards or a minimum housing quality standard.
Accessible Homes for Seniors
This is a program for accessibility related improvements to the homes of seniors.
Lead Hazard Reduction Grant and Loan Program
This program provides funds to assist homeowners and landlords lessen the risk of lead poisoning and preserve the housing stock by reducing or eliminating lead-based paint hazards.
Ground Rent Redemption Loan Program
This program was created by the Maryland General Assembly in 2007 to provide loans to homeowners to buy out (redeem) ground leases.
EmPOWER Maryland Limited Income Energy Efficiency Program
Repairs and upgrades make a home more energy efficient can significantly reduce energy use throughout the year, which can give you a more comfortable home, lower monthly power bills and improve air quality and family health. Maryland’s EmPOWER Program helps limited-income households with installation of materials and equipment at no charge.
Weatherization Assistance Program
This program helps eligible low-income households across the state of Maryland with the installation of energy conservation materials in their dwelling units. These measures both reduce the consumption of energy and the cost of maintenance for these homes.
HUD Resources for Home Improvement
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a guide for “fixing up your home and how to finance it.”
Realtor.com
Information on ways to finance home repairs can be found at Realtor.com.