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City program

South Baltimore Community Land Trust Homeownership Program

South Baltimore Community Land Trust Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Baltimore, Maryland, administered by South Baltimore Community Land Trust (SBCLT).

Last verified Source: South Baltimore Community Land Trust (SBCLT)

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Druid Heights Community Development Corporation (homeownership counseling); SBCLT Housing Stewardship Coordinator (one-on-one guidance)
  • Residency: Not stated; community focus is South Baltimore (Curtis Bay and Cherry Hill neighborhoods)
  • Ground lease model — homebuyer does not own the land. Resale restrictions apply to maintain permanent affordability; resale formula not publicly published; contact SBCLT for details. Currently 1 home on market (1626 Hazel Street, Curtis Bay, $160,000) and 15 under development. No phone published; contact via info@sbclt.org. Income limits: 50% AMI and below (Baltimore City); specific dollar limits not published.
  • A home inside Baltimore city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Purchases above the $160,000 price cap
  • Households above 50% of area median income
  • Homes outside Baltimore

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

50% of Baltimore City 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.

$134,000
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Baltimore’s homes

  • 14.7% single-family
  • 50.4% townhouse
  • 9.9% 2–4 units
  • 24.7% 5+ units
  • 0.3% mobile & other

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

$229,600

Baltimore median home value

81.6%

built before 1980

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

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Druid Heights Community Development Corporation (homeownership counseling); SBCLT Housing Stewardship Coordinator (one-on-one guidance).

  2. Contact South Baltimore Community Land Trust (SBCLT) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; submit homeownership interest form at sbclt.org/homeowners-application/, 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 South Baltimore Community Land Trust Homeownership Program?

South Baltimore Community Land Trust Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Baltimore, Maryland, administered by South Baltimore Community Land Trust (SBCLT). The South Baltimore Community Land Trust (SBCLT) creates permanently affordable homeownership opportunities in South Baltimore's Curtis Bay and Cherry Hill neighborhoods through a community land trust ground-lease model, in which SBCLT retains ownership of the land while the homebuyer purchases the home. All SBCLT homes remain permanently affordable through resale restrictions. SBCLT's Housing Stewardship Coordinator guides buyers through an interest form, intake meeting, homeownership counseling, financing, and closing. Homes target individuals and families at or below 50% AMI in Baltimore City. Permanently affordable homeownership through CLT ground-lease model. Homes in Curtis Bay and Cherry Hill. 15+ units under development. Ongoing stewardship and post-purchase support. Free homeownership counseling via Druid Heights CDC. Community-led and governed. Funding comes from Baltimore City Affordable Housing Trust Fund; philanthropic grants.

Do you have to pay it back?

South Baltimore Community Land Trust Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by South Baltimore Community Land Trust (SBCLT). Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

South Baltimore Community Land Trust Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. A homebuyer education course is required, through Druid Heights Community Development Corporation (homeownership counseling); SBCLT Housing Stewardship Coordinator (one-on-one guidance). Residency requirement: Not stated; community focus is South Baltimore (Curtis Bay and Cherry Hill neighborhoods). Ground lease model — homebuyer does not own the land. Resale restrictions apply to maintain permanent affordability; resale formula not publicly published; contact SBCLT for details. Currently 1 home on market (1626 Hazel Street, Curtis Bay, $160,000) and 15 under development. No phone published; contact via info@sbclt.org. Income limits: 50% AMI and below (Baltimore City); specific dollar limits not published.

What are the income limits?

South Baltimore Community Land Trust Homeownership Program limits household income to 50% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. All homes available for individuals and families at 50% AMI and below (Baltimore City AMI). 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?

South Baltimore Community Land Trust Homeownership Program caps the purchase price at $160,000. Eligible property types include Single Family, Townhouse, and Duplex. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

South Baltimore Community Land Trust Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Baltimore, Maryland. The program targets specific areas: South Baltimore neighborhoods of Curtis Bay and Cherry Hill, Baltimore City, MD. Targeted neighborhoods: Curtis Bay; Cherry Hill.

How do you apply?

Applications for South Baltimore Community Land Trust Homeownership Program go through South Baltimore Community Land Trust (SBCLT), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; submit homeownership interest form at sbclt.org/homeowners-application/. 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 South Baltimore Community Land Trust (SBCLT) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.