What Loans and Grants are available? 

There are often opportunities for Live Near Your Work, City's Block Grant, and Live Baltimore, among others.

The options change frequently, please contact our Certified Housing Counselor Kate Jennings by email or phone for the most up to date options.

CDBG's First-Time Homebuyer Program

The Office of Homeownership has established the Community Block Grant Program to give qualified first time homebuyers $5,000 toward down payment and settlement expenses. 

Upon receiving a counseling certificate, the borrower can then find a property and sign a contract to purchase. The property must be inspected utilizing an HQS inspection. Active Baltimore City employees may qualify to receive $3,000 in home buying incentive funds. The CDBG program has income limitations to qualify for this program.  For information contact RHIC.

Current Permit Fees 

The Office of Permits & Building Inspections enforces the Baltimore City Building Code, as well as state laws pertaining to construction and occupancy.

This office issues building permits and provides subsequent inspections for: construction, alteration, electrical, mechanical and plumbing work in both commercial and residential structures. File your completed application in person at: The One- Stop Shop,417 E. Fayette Street, Room 100. Not sure if your project requires a permit? Call 410-396-3360,

Historic Designation

The community of Reservoir Hill has the distinction of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Baltimore City’s Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) reviews all work permit requests and approves them in keeping with historic guidelines.  For a copy of the guidelines, contact CHAP at 410- 396-7526 or go to CHAP's website.

Blocks included in the local historic districts are as follows:

• Brooks Lane:  900 block
• Cloverdale:  1000 block (odd side only)
• Eutaw Place:  2200 – 2500 blocks
• Lennox Street:  600 block
• Madison Avenue:  2200 – 2500 blocks
• Morris Avenue:  2200 block (even side only)
• Mount Royal Terrace:  1900 – 2300 blocks
• North Avenue:  900 – 1100 blocks
• Park Avenue:  2000 block
• Reservoir Street:  600 block
• Whitelock Street:  1000 – 1100 blocks

Maryland Mortgage Program Acquisition Rehabilitation  

The State of Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development (CDA) in conjunction with National Homeownership Month announces it now offers a loan product for homebuyers seeking to purchase a property in need rehabilitation.

 This program offers eligible borrowers an acquisition and rehabilitation mortgage to purchase a single family, one unit home as a primary residence and obtain funds for needed repairs and/or renovations at the same time. The program provided by a CDA Participating 203(k) lender to the borrower under the terms of CDA’s Maryland Mortgage Program. The acquisition costs are paid to the seller of the home at closing and a rehabilitation escrow account, per FHA 203(k) or FHA 203(k) Streamline requirements, is set up at the loan closing. This program is offered through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and is available statewide. Please contact Single Family Housing at (410) 514-7535 or at SingleFamilyHousing@mdhousing.org  for additional information.