Building Healthy Communities

Community Resources: Homeownership Assistance

The Office of Community Conservation is committed to promoting homeownership opportunities throughout the county's community conservation areas. A healthy proportion of homeowners in a neighborhood fosters stability and a sense of pride among residents who accept responsibility for maintaining their properties.

Settlement Expenses

The Settlement Expense Loan Program is the agency's primary vehicle for promoting homeownership. The SELP program provides loans of up to $5,000 to income-qualified, first-time homebuyers. Income eligibility requires that the purchasing household earn no more than 80 percent of the county median family income. For a four-person household, that means no more than $49,350 annually. To apply for assistance, call 410-887-3124.

The Single Family Rehabilitation Loan Program provides deferred and amortized loans of up to $20,000 to income-qualified homeowners in the county. This loan program enables homeowners to bring their homes up to standard, to remove lead-based paint hazards, and to modify the property to accommodate the needs of persons with a disability. Income eligibility requires that that the applicant household may earn no more than 80 percent of the county median household income. For a four-person household, that means no more than $49,350 annually. To apply for assistance, call 410-887-3124.

The Emergency Repair Program provides emergency grants of up to $7,500 to income-qualified homeowners who need to repair hazardous conditions. Examples of emergency conditions include the loss of a furnace during cold weather, or broken water or sewer lines.

Income eligibility requires that the applicant household earn no more than 80 percent of the county median household income. For a four-person household, that means no more than $49,350 annually. To apply for assistance, call 410-887-3124.

More information about these and other homeownership and home improvement programs is available online.

Revised February 21, 2002