The Buy Back the Block (BBB) home purchase grant program recently expanded the number of eligible neighborhoods. BBB provides grants to Baltimore residents who rent and purchase within grant-eligible areas of the city. Grant amounts have increased to $15,000 for home purchasing or $20,000 for home purchasing and renovations for homebuyers in eligible neighborhoods. Administered through Live Baltimore, the grants are not required to be repaid and are available until funds are exhausted. Potential homebuyers can review eligible neighborhoods, home purchasing requirements, and view the total number of grants remaining on Live Baltimore’s program page.
BBB grants can be layered with the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Live Near Your Work (LNYW) grant and other homebuying incentives to increase the total down payment on a home purchase. Many BBB-eligible neighborhoods are also part of the LNYW program, a homebuying assistance benefit for University employees. The UMB LNYW program contributes $16,000 per eligible participant toward the down payment and closing costs of homes in select West Baltimore neighborhoods. Baltimore City contributes an additional $2,500 for a total of $18,500 toward a home purchase down payment through the LNYW program. Live Baltimore can provide information on additional homebuying programs.
For eligibility and to apply for the BBB funds, visit LiveBaltimore.com/bbb.