What is University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Live Near Your Work Program?
University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Live Near Your Work Program is a grant for homebuyers in Baltimore, Maryland, administered by University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Human Resource Services, Office of Community Engagement.
- UMB's Live Near Your Work (LNYW) Program is an employer-funded down payment and closing cost grant for UMB faculty and staff who purchase a home in targeted West Baltimore neighborhoods around the campus. UMB contributes $16,000 per eligible participant, which can be combined with a matching grant of up to $2,500 from the Baltimore City Live Near Your Work Program for a total of approximately $18,500.
- Up to $16,000 grant from UMB toward down payment and closing costs (up to ~$18,500 total with Baltimore City LNYW match) for purchasing a home in a targeted neighborhood near campus.
- Funding comes from Employer (UMB) funds plus Baltimore City Live Near Your Work match.
How much assistance does it provide?
University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Live Near Your Work Program offers between $16,000 and $18,500 in assistance, depending on the award tier a buyer qualifies under.
- Award tiers: UMB contribution $16,000; up to $2,500 additional from Baltimore City LNYW match (~$18,500 total).
- Buyer contribution: Minimum homeowner down payment contribution of $1,000.
- The program can be combined with Baltimore City Live Near Your Work match (up to $2,500); other Baltimore City/State incentives where eligible.
- Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Human Resource Services, Office of Community Engagement determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Live Near Your Work Program is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.
- Repayment is triggered by Grant repaid if false statements/material omissions made; employee must occupy as primary residence at least 5 years from settlement (per eligibility self-assessment).
- Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Live Near Your Work Program is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.
The program requires
- ✓The home is occupied as a primary residence
- ✓On credit: Creditworthiness required; no specific minimum score published.
- ✓A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-certified housing counselor (completed before signing contract of sale).
- ✓Residency: Must purchase within UMB targeted neighborhoods: Barre Circle, Druid Heights, Franklin Square, Harlem Park, Heritage Crossing, Hollins Market, Mount Clare, Pigtown/Washington Village, Poppleton, Union Square, Upton.
- ✓Limited to UMB employees buying in targeted neighborhoods; one LNYW grant per household/address; HUD-certified counseling required before contract; $1,000 minimum buyer contribution. NOTE: exact recapture/forgiveness schedule and any income/purchase-price limits not published.
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
What are the income limits?
University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Live Near Your Work Program sets its income limit as follows: No income limit published for the UMB LNYW grant itself.
- 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?
University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Live Near Your Work Program can be used for single_family, condo, and townhouse.
Is there eligibility for specific groups?
University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Live Near Your Work Program is limited to employees of University of Maryland, Baltimore (regular full- or part-time 50%+ FTE faculty/staff in good standing). Not contractual employees, postdoc fellows, part-time <50% FTE, students, or UMMC employees.
- 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?
University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Live Near Your Work Program serves buyers purchasing in Baltimore, Maryland.
- The program targets specific areas: Eleven targeted West Baltimore neighborhoods near the UMB campus.
- Targeted neighborhoods: Barre Circle, Druid Heights, Franklin Square, Harlem Park, Heritage Crossing, Hollins Market, Mount Clare, Pigtown/Washington Village, Poppleton, Union Square, Upton.
How do you apply?
Applications for University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Live Near Your Work Program go through University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Human Resource Services, Office of Community Engagement, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.
- 1
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through HUD-certified housing counselor (completed before signing contract of sale)..
- 2
Contact University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Human Resource Services, Office of Community Engagement to reserve funds
Funds are reserved with the provider 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.