CHAI Homebuyer Incentive Grant (northwest Baltimore)

At a glance

Amount

Up to $5,000 toward down payment and closing costs in northwest Baltimore

Type of help

Forgivable loan

Where

Baltimore City

Run by

Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. (CHAI)

First-time buyer

First-time buyers only

Income limit

Up to 80% of area median income

Price limit

Yes, see below

Minimum credit score

640

Homebuyer education

Required

Your own funds

At least $1,000

How the forgivable loan works

A second loan with no payment that is forgiven over time or after a set number of years in the home.

• Interest: 0%
• Monthly payment: None
• Forgiveness: Forgiven after 5 years in the home as your primary residence.
• When you would repay: Sell, refinance, or stop living in the home as your primary residence before year five and the balance is due.

Who qualifies

• First-time buyers only. You cannot have owned a home in the past three years.
• Income. Household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income, adjusted for household size. CHAI confirms your figure against the current HUD table when you apply (checked 2026-09-22).
• Price. Purchase price up to $499,650 (checked 2026-09-22).
• The home must be in ZIP code 21215 or in the Cheswolde, Cross Country, Fallstaff, Glen or Mount Washington neighborhoods.
• You must live in the home as your primary residence.

How to apply

1. 1Complete a certified homebuyer education workshop and a one-on-one pre-purchase counseling session with a HUD-certified counselor before you write an offer. CHAI runs monthly workshops and accepts the online eHome America course. CHAI is also a City-approved counseling agency, so one certificate can cover city incentives too.
2. 2Get pre-approved with a licensed lender and have at least $1,000 of your own money in the purchase.
3. 3Find a home in 21215 or one of the five listed neighborhoods and get a ratified contract.
4. 4Contact CHAI's loan program manager to submit the application with your contract, pre-approval and counseling certificate. CHAI coordinates funding with your lender and title company for settlement.

Watch out for

• Neighborhood-specific. A block outside 21215 or the five named neighborhoods does not qualify even if it feels like the same community.
• Funding is limited and comes from CHAI's grant sources. Ask about availability before you write the offer; CHAI did not publish a remaining-funds figure as of 2026-09-22.
• CHAI also offers a separate Homebuyer Assistance Loan of up to $10,000 in the same area at 0% interest, with no payments for five years and then equal monthly payments through year ten. Income limit for that loan is 100% of AMI. It is a loan, not a grant, so budget for the payment starting in year six.

Straight answers

Sources

• CHAI, Homebuyer Incentive Grant (read Sep 22, 2026)
• CHAI, Homebuyer Assistance Loan (read Sep 22, 2026)
• Live Baltimore, City-approved homeownership counseling agencies (CHAI listed) (read Sep 22, 2026)

Program details are summarized from public sources and change without notice. Funding badges reflect the last time we checked, not a guarantee of availability. This is buyer education from a real estate agent, not a loan pre-approval or a commitment to lend. Eligibility is decided by each program administrator and your lender. Equal Housing Opportunity.