Live Baltimore is relaunching and expanding its nationally award-winning Buy Back the Block program, helping Baltimore City residents become homeowners and build wealth in the neighborhoods they already call home. The program was first introduced in 2023 and has yielded strong early results. It will reopen to applicants starting Wednesday, July 15, with its largest eligibility area to date. The new eligibility map is defined by Baltimore City’s Housing Market Typology, Categories D through J. Previously, it was determined by the federally mandated Qualified Census Tracts. Buy Back the Block maps: new eligibility map is on the left. “We are incredibly excited to relaunch Buy Back the Block with record-level funding and the broadest eligibility map this program has ever seen,” said Meghan McCorkell, Live Baltimore’s executive director. “By growing both our resources and our reach, we can help many more Baltimore renters become Baltimore homeowners. We’re profoundly grateful to the Mayor, City Council, and the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs for standing with us to make this kind of transformative opportunity a reality for our residents.” Buy Back the Block provides funds to income-eligible Baltimore City residents who want to buy homes in the designated areas. The goal is to prevent their displacement, stabilize communities, and increase Black homeownership, which is one of the pillars of generational wealth. Funding for Buy Back the Block is made possible through an award from the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, as well as a grant from the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs. “I’m so proud of the way we used the American Rescue Plan Act and City dollars to help over 200 Baltimoreans buy a home,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “Restarting Buy Back the Block means more folks will be able to create and build wealth for themselves and their families here in Charm City. That’s life-changing for the residents who will directly benefit from this program and all those who will indirectly benefit from the historic growth of our city.” Baltimore City resident Ian Morgan receives a check for $15,000 as part of the Buy Back the Block grant program. Photo courtesy City of Baltimore. Since the pilot phase of Buy Back the Block began in 2023, the program has awarded 2018 homeownership grants to city residents, supporting home sales totaling $46 million across 88 Baltimore neighborhoods. It has provided more than $3.12 million in direct financial assistance towards home purchases and generated around $2.03 million in single-year Baltimore City property tax revenue from the program’s home purchases. The Buy Back the Block FY26 Impact Report gives a detailed overview of the program, including customer demographics. In the most recent phase of the program, 99% of grant recipients were first-time homebuyers. This demonstrates the program’s success in boosting neighborhoods while helping long-term residents, increasing the city’s tax revenue, while also increasing homeownership opportunities. There are two grant options in the program, neither of which need to be repaid. The first option is a $15,000 grant towards the purchase of a home. The second option is a $20,000 grant toward the purchase and renovation of a home. Eligible applicants must live in a grant-eligible address and have lived there for at least 12 consecutive months, complete homeownership counseling through a city-approved agency, work with a Live Baltimore-approved lender, and meet other income and eligibility requirements. “Building a competitive economy for working families in Maryland must include homeownership, which still remains one of the quickest paths to economic growth and stability for Marylanders,” said Jake Day, secretary for Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development. “In Baltimore, we’re removing barriers to bring more families closer to homeownership. … residents can unlock greater purchasing power and put down stronger roots in the neighborhoods they love.” Baltimore City residents who do not own any real estate and are interested in Buy Back the Block should visit the website to verify their address, take the eligibility quiz, and view additional resources. Grant funding is limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. ...read more read less