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Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant

Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant is a grant for homebuyers in Cumberland, Maryland, administered by Cumberland Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS).

Last verified Source: Cumberland Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS)

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: First-time homebuyer defined as not having owned a principal residence anywhere in the last three years
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through CNHS Homebuyer Education Program (certified by Maryland DHCD and HUD); 8-hour class online via Framework Homeownership or in person
  • Must complete CNHS Homebuyer Education and graduate from the program; funds distributed first-come, first-closed. NOTE (gap-finder): aggregators cite a $10,000 figure not supported by the official site; only the tiered amounts above are confirmed.
  • A home inside Cumberland city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • New construction
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Cumberland

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Income limit

80% of Allegany County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$72,700
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Cumberland’s homes

  • 58.9% single-family
  • 8.8% townhouse
  • 15.4% 2–4 units
  • 16.9% 5+ units
  • 0% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$123,200

Cumberland median home value

86.9%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Cumberland

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through CNHS Homebuyer Education Program (certified by Maryland DHCD and HUD); 8-hour class online via Framework Homeownership or in person.

  2. Contact Cumberland Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-closed basis; funding anticipated annually but not guaranteed, and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant?

Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant is a grant for homebuyers in Cumberland, Maryland, administered by Cumberland Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS). Cumberland Neighborhood Housing Services, in cooperation with the City of Cumberland's CDBG program, provides qualified first-time homebuyers a grant to assist with closing costs associated with purchasing a home within the City of Cumberland. The grant is not a loan, places no lien on the property, and never has to be repaid. Award amounts are tiered: $1,000 for households below 80% AMI, $250 for a disabled veteran applicant/spouse, and $1,000 for a Cumberland Housing Revitalization Program purchase. Grant never repaid. No lien on property. Stackable award tiers up to $2,250. Extra assistance for disabled veterans. Funding comes from City of Cumberland Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program (HUD).

How much assistance does it provide?

Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant offers up to $2,250 in assistance. Award tiers: Income below 80% AMI: $1,000; Applicant or spouse who is a Disabled Veteran: $250; Cumberland Housing Revitalization Program home purchase: $1,000 (awards may combine, max ~$2,250). Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Cumberland Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid. Repayment is triggered by None - grant does not have to be repaid. The assistance is recorded in No lien placed on the property position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: First-time homebuyer defined as not having owned a principal residence anywhere in the last three years. A homebuyer education course is required, through CNHS Homebuyer Education Program (certified by Maryland DHCD and HUD); 8-hour class online via Framework Homeownership or in person. Must complete CNHS Homebuyer Education and graduate from the program; funds distributed first-come, first-closed. NOTE (gap-finder): aggregators cite a $10,000 figure not supported by the official site; only the tiered amounts above are confirmed.

What are the income limits?

Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Single-family household income at or below 80% of AMI for Cumberland, MD under the HUD HOME Program. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant can be used for Single Family. New construction is not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant names veterans and homebuyers with disabilities among the groups it serves. Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant serves homebuyers purchasing in Cumberland, Maryland. The program targets specific areas: Additional $1,000 award for purchases made through the Cumberland Housing Revitalization Program.

How do you apply?

Applications for Cumberland Closing Cost Assistance Grant go through Cumberland Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through First-come, first-closed basis; funding anticipated annually but not guaranteed. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Program terms are set by Cumberland Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.