Buy Back the Block

The Buy Back the Block program provides grants to Baltimore City residents who rent and purchase within the grant-eligible Baltimore City area. These grants do not have to be repaid. The $10,000 home purchase grant reduces the amount of money you will need up front to buy a home. The $20,000 home purchase & renovation grant reduces the amount of money you will need up front to buy and renovate a home.

In order to obtain Buy Back the Block funds, you must complete the eligibility quiz, verify your eligibility, and receive an approved grant application. Funds are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

PROGRAM BENEFIT

This program reduces the amount of money you’ll need up-front to buy your home.

ELIGIBILITY & LIMITATIONS

• You cannot currently own any real estate.
• You must earn a homeownership counseling certificate before making an offer on your home.
• You must have rented your current primary residence within the grant-eligible Baltimore City area for at least 12 months prior to entering into a purchase agreement.
• The grant-eligible Baltimore City area is defined by the Qualified Census Tract set by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
• You must purchase a home within the grant-eligible Baltimore City area.
• Your gross household income cannot exceed $132,000 or 120% AMI, whichever is greater.
• You must intend to occupy the home as your primary residence. This intention must be certified in mortgage and settlement documents.
• You must work with a program-approved mortgage lender to obtain a fixed-rate mortgage. If applying for the $20,000 home purchase & renovation grant you must obtain a fixed-rate purchase and renovation mortgage (such as an FHA 203(k), Fannie Mae HomeStyle, Freddie Mac CHOICERenovation, or other) from a program-approved lender. 
• Fixed-rate mortgages only. Co-signers, cash sales, and owner-financing are not permitted.
• Homes that have not yet been constructed are ineligible. Due to settlement date requirements, short sales, foreclosures, and other non-traditional transactions may also be ineligible.
• Your mortgage amount cannot exceed the current FHA mortgage limit of $667,000 for a single-family home.
• You must contribute at least $1,000 of your own money to your home purchase.
• You must apply and be approved prior to closing on your home. Program funds are not retroactive.
• Settlement must be within 90 days of application approval.
• Grant funds may be combined with other programs (to the extent allowed by other programs).
• Only one grant application will be accepted per property address.

PROGRAM CONTACT

The Buy Back the Block program is administered by Live Baltimore in partnership with the City of Baltimore. Funding is available thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Deandra Lasan
(410) 637-3750 x 116
Email

Take the eligibility quiz to get started!