Live Baltimore Expands “Buy Back the Block” Program to Help More City Residents Become Homeowners

Live Baltimore has announced the relaunch of its nationally award-winning Buy Back the Block program, a groundbreaking initiative that helps Baltimore City residents become homeowners and build wealth in the very neighborhoods they already call home. First introduced as a pilot in 2023, the program has delivered strong early results and will reopen to applicants beginning July 15, 2026, with its largest eligibility area to date.

“We are incredibly excited to relaunch Buy Back the Block with record-level funding and the broadest eligibility map this program has ever seen,” said Live Baltimore Executive Director Meghan McCorkell. “By growing both our resources and our reach, we can help many more Baltimore renters become Baltimore homeowners. We’re profoundly grateful to the Mayor, City Council, and the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs for standing with us to make this kind of transformative opportunity a reality for our residents.”

“I’m so proud of the way we used the American Rescue Plan Act and City dollars to help over 200 Baltimoreans buy a home,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Restarting Buy Back the Block means more folks will be able to create and build wealth for themselves and their families here in Charm City. That’s life-changing for the residents who will directly benefit from this program and all those who will indirectly benefit from the historic growth of our city.”

Buy Back the Block provides financial assistance to income-eligible Baltimore City residents who wish to purchase homes in designated areas with the goal of preventing displacement, stabilizing communities, and increasing Black homeownership and generational wealth. The new eligibility map for the July relaunch is now defined by Baltimore City’s Housing Market Typology, categories D through J, rather than the previously federally mandated Qualified Census Tracts, increasing the number of potentially eligible applicants across the City.

Evidence of Impact

Since its pilot phase began in 2023 through June 2026, Buy Back the Block has:

• Awarded 218 homeownership grants to Baltimore City residents.
• Provided more than $3.12 million in direct financial assistance toward home purchases.
• Supported home sales totaling $46.0 million across 88 Baltimore neighborhoods.
• Generated an estimated $2.03 million in single-year City property tax revenue from participating home purchases.

In the most recent run of the program from October 2025 to June 2026, 99% of grant recipients were first-time homebuyers. These results highlight the program’s ability to boost neighborhoods, assist long-term residents, and enhance Baltimore’s tax revenue, all while increasing homeownership opportunities. The Buy Back the Block FY26 Impact Report offers a comprehensive overview of the program, including customer demographics.

Funding for Buy Back the Block is made possible through an award from the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, as well as a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs.

Grant Options

Through Buy Back the Block, eligible homebuyers may qualify for one of two grant options:

1. $15,000 grant towards the purchase of a home; or
2. $20,000 grant toward the purchase and renovation of a home.

These funds are structured as grants that do not need to be repaid. Eligible applicants must currently live in a grant-eligible address and have lived there for at least 12 consecutive months, complete homeownership counseling through a city-approved agency, work with a Live Baltimore-approved lender, and meet other income and eligibility requirements.

“Building a competitive economy for working families in Maryland must include homeownership, which still remains one of the quickest paths to economic growth and stability for Marylanders,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “In Baltimore, we’re removing barriers to bring more families closer to homeownership. By layering the new Reinvest Baltimore Rate Savings and Reinvest Baltimore Down Payment Assistance incentives with Buy Back the Block, residents can unlock greater purchasing power and put down stronger roots in the neighborhoods they love.”

Relaunch Details & Call for Applications

Relaunch Date: Wednesday, July 15

How to Apply: Baltimore City residents who do not currently own any real estate and are interested in Buy Back the Block should visit LiveBaltimore.com/bbb to verify their address, take the eligibility quiz, and view additional resources. Grant funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

To learn more: Download the full Buy Back the Block FY26 Impact Report, visit LiveBaltimore.com/bbb for application details, and hear program recipient testimonials.

About Live Baltimore

Live Baltimore is a nationally recognized, independent nonprofit organization committed to promoting the benefits of Baltimore City living. Each year, Live Baltimore provides thousands of individuals with information on the city’s 250+ neighborhoods, rental living options, homebuying incentive programs, historic tax credits, and more. For more information, visit LiveBaltimore.com. PRONUNCIATION NOTE: Live Baltimore’s name is pronounced with a short “I” sound, as in “I live in Baltimore City.”

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Media information:
Suzi Senna, Director of Marketing & Communications  |  suzi@livebaltimore.com | 410.637.3750 x117