Maryland Home Loan Help for Teachers and First Responders
30 October 2026
If you are a teacher, firefighter, police officer, EMT or 9-1-1 specialist hoping to buy your first home, Maryland has a loan made just for you. The Maryland Mortgage Program's First Homes for First Responders and Teachers loan offers an interest rate half a percentage point below the standard program rate, plus 5% of the loan amount to help with your down payment and closing costs.
What is the First Homes for First Responders and Teachers loan?
Governor Wes Moore announced the program in Baltimore County on September 4, 2026, and applications opened that same day, according to the Governor's press release. The state has set aside $50 million for it.
It runs through the Maryland Mortgage Program, the state's main homeownership program for first-time buyers.
| Feature | What you get |
|---|---|
| First mortgage | 30-year fixed rate, 0.5 percentage point below the standard MMP 1st Time Advantage 5% loan |
| Down payment and closing cost help | A second loan equal to 5% of your first mortgage |
| Interest on the help | 0% |
| Monthly payments on the help | None while you live in the home and keep the first mortgage |
| When the help is repaid | When you sell, refinance or transfer the home |
How much down payment help could I get?
The help equals 5% of your first mortgage amount. Here is what that looks like at a few loan sizes.
| First mortgage amount | 5% assistance |
|---|---|
| $250,000 | $12,500 |
| $300,000 | $15,000 |
| $350,000 | $17,500 |
You still have to qualify for the loan itself, and the program has income, credit score and purchase price limits. A Maryland Mortgage Program approved lender can tell you which limits apply to you.
Who qualifies for the program?
You must be a first-time homebuyer, complete an approved homebuyer education class and meet the usual program requirements. You also need to work full time in Maryland in an eligible job, or be moving here with a signed, non-contingent job offer from a Maryland employer.
Eligible first responders include full-time firefighters, certified EMTs and paramedics, commissioned police officers (including federal, state, county and college or university police), rescue squad members, sworn members of the Office of the State Fire Marshal and 9-1-1 specialists. Volunteer firefighters can qualify too, with documented volunteer status for at least the 12 most recent months. That could mean neighbors who run calls with a company like the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department.
Eligible teachers are full-time, state-certified classroom teachers or school counselors serving pre-K through 12th grade at an accredited or state-recognized public, private or vocational school.
How do I apply?
The first step is talking with a lender on the Maryland Mortgage Program's approved list. They can pre-qualify you and confirm your job counts. You will need a written verification of employment with your income details.
The program can be combined with outside grants or loans from employers, builders or nonprofits if they meet the program's rules, but not with other Maryland Mortgage Program products.
What does this mean for buyers in Arbutus?
Arbutus, Halethorpe, Lansdowne and Catonsville are full of the kinds of homes first-time buyers love, from brick duplexes to cozy Cape Cods. For a teacher at a nearby school or a firefighter at a local station, 5% toward the down payment and closing costs can be the difference between renting another year and getting the keys. If you are moving here for a new job, my Moving to Arbutus guide and Work and Commute page are good next reads, and you can learn more about me and how I work with buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maryland First Homes for First Responders and Teachers program?
It is a Maryland Mortgage Program loan for first-time buyers who are teachers or first responders. It offers a lower interest rate and a 5% down payment and closing cost assistance loan.
How much lower is the interest rate?
The rate is 0.5 percentage point below the standard Maryland Mortgage Program 1st Time Advantage 5% loan. Your exact rate comes from your approved lender.
Do I have to pay back the 5% assistance?
Yes, but it has 0% interest and no monthly payments while you live in the home and keep the first mortgage. You repay it when you sell, refinance or transfer the home.
Can volunteer firefighters use the First Homes program?
Yes, volunteer firefighters can qualify. They need documented volunteer status for at least the 12 most recent months.
Can I use the program if I am moving to Maryland for a job?
Yes, if you have a signed, non-contingent offer for a full-time eligible job from a Maryland employer. You still need to meet all the other program requirements.
Disclaimer: This post is based on information from the Maryland Mortgage Program and the Office of Governor Wes Moore as of 30 October 2026. Program terms can change, and this is general information, not financial advice, so please confirm details with a Maryland Mortgage Program approved lender.
Let's Talk About Your First Home
Helping first-time buyers is my favorite part of this job, and I would love to walk you through your options and connect you with an approved lender. I am a Realtor, not a lender, so your loan officer will confirm the numbers, but I will be with you every step of the way. Call or text me at 443-421-6855.
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