Buy Back the Block

The Buy Back the Block program provides grants to Baltimore City residents who live and then purchase within the grant-eligible area.

The $15,000 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. These grants do not need to be repaid.

Eligibility Criteria

Verify Your Address

Use the map below to learn if your current or purchase address is in the grant-eligible area. Please note that the grant-eligible area is defined by the most recent version of Baltimore City’s Housing Market Typology Map, specifically categories D through J. Learn more about the Housing Market Typology Map.

Here are the steps to get you started on checking your address:

1. Click in the search field on the top right portion of the map below labeled “Find address or place.”
2. Type your address. A list of options will appear. Choose your address from the list.
3. The map will zoom in on the area and show a pin. Yellow means eligible; gray is ineligible.
4. To search for another address, click the “Clear search location” button.
5. For the Spanish version of this interactive map, select the language from the dropdown menu on the right.

Additional Resources 

Program-approved mortgage lenders

You must work with one of the program-approved mortgage lenders to receive Buy Back the Block funds.

For the $15,000 home purchase grant work with an approved Buy Back the Block lender to get pre-qualified for a fixed-rate mortgage. Your mortgage amount cannot exceed the current FHA mortgage limit for a single-family home.

For the $20,000 home purchase & renovation grant work with an approved Buy Back the Block lender to get pre-qualified for a fixed-rate purchase and renovation mortgage (such as an FHA 203(k), Fannie Mae HomeStyle, Freddie Mac CHOICERenovation, or other). Your mortgage amount cannot exceed the current FHA mortgage limit for a single-family home. Renovation guidelines vary by loan product. Speak with your lender for details.

Homeownership Counseling

In order to be eligible for the Buy Back the Block program, you must earn a homeownership counseling certificate from a City-approved counseling agency BEFORE making an offer on your home.

Counselors can also help you determine if you are ready for homeownership and review any credit issues that need to be addressed before applying for a mortgage. Some agencies offer additional services, such as post-purchase education, default and delinquency counseling, community outreach, and credit and budgeting classes. Homeownership certificates are valid for 12 months from the date of completion.

Have more questions about Buy Back the Block?

We’re here to help. Send us an email or call 410-637-3750 for one-on-one assistance.

The Buy Back the Block program is administered by Live Baltimore in partnership with the City of Baltimore. 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.

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