Maryland first-time homebuyer program will give teachers and first responders cheaper mortgages and help with upfront costs. Governor Wes Moore announced $50 million for the new initiative, which opened for applications on September 4, 2026, as Baltimore Chronicle reports.
Who can qualify for Maryland’s new housing program
The initiative is called First Homes for First Responders and Teachers. It targets first-time buyers working full time in eligible Maryland jobs.
According to the Maryland Mortgage Program, applicants can include teachers, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics and 9-1-1 dispatchers. People moving to Maryland may also qualify with an eligible full-time job offer.
Applicants must meet standard Maryland Mortgage Program requirements. These include income, credit score and purchase-price limits. An approved homebuyer education class is also required.
The main requirements include:
- being a first-time homebuyer;
- holding an eligible full-time position;
- completing approved homebuyer education;
- meeting Maryland Mortgage Program financial requirements;
- providing required employment and income verification.
The program therefore does not automatically approve every teacher or first responder. Borrowers must still qualify for the underlying mortgage and meet lender requirements.
How much mortgage assistance can buyers receive
The new product offers a first mortgage rate 0.5 percentage points below existing Maryland Mortgage Program rates. It also provides assistance equal to 5% of the first mortgage amount.
| Mortgage amount | 5% assistance |
|---|---|
| $200,000 | $10,000 |
| $250,000 | $12,500 |
| $300,000 | $15,000 |
| $350,000 | $17,500 |
For a $300,000 mortgage, the assistance reaches $15,000. That money can help cover the down payment and closing costs.
The assistance is structured as a 0% interest, 30-year deferred second loan. There are no monthly payments while the borrower keeps the first mortgage and lives in the home. Repayment is generally triggered by a sale, refinancing or transfer.
Why Maryland is targeting teachers and first responders
Moore announced the program at Baltimore County Police Precinct 4 during his Delivering for Maryland tour. The governor met first responders and discussed housing pressures affecting public servants.
“Homeownership is not just about a roof over your head,” Moore said. He described ownership as a route toward long-term family wealth.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development says its broader mortgage program averages about $1 billion in annual loan reservations. The new product adds a targeted option for workers Maryland wants to retain in local communities.
Applications for First Homes for First Responders and Teachers are already open through state-approved mortgage lenders. Eligible buyers can check qualification rules and participating lenders through the official Maryland Mortgage Program website.
Earlier we wrote about Maryland Tax Connect launches statewide as online tax filing returns after August outage