HomeAbility is a special product designed to assist disabled Maryland homebuyers to finance their home purchase. This is a Conventional Loan product and provides an 80% LTV first lien and up to 25% in a second lien to assist with down payment and closing costs. No mortgage insurance is required. The interest rate for the first lien is posted on the Interest Rates page; the second lien has a rate of 0% and payment is deferred for the life of the first lien, but becomes payable upon sale, refinance, or transfer of the home.
To be eligible for HomeAbility:
- One of the borrowers is disabled OR one of the borrowers is a guardian for, resides with, and is the principal caregiver for an immediate family member who is disabled (regardless of age).
- Disability is documented by submitting:
- a CDA "Certificate of Disability" completed by a health, mental health, or disability professional; and/or
- a proof of income from Social Security Administration (i.e. SSI or SSDI), VA or former employer: the proof is a copy of the borrower's disability policy, award letter or benefits statement from the benefits payer (insurance company, employer or other qualified disinterested party), per FNMA's guidelines; or
- a proof of application for disability benefits evaluation and a copy of the Social Security Administration office’s decision on the application.
- It is entirely CDA’s decision as to the sufficiency of the documentation, which must be submitted by lender prior to reservation to singlefamilyhousing.dhcd@maryland.gov.
- Borrower(s) individual income is less than or equal to the Area Media Income Limits shown below.
HomeAbility – Maximum Income/Affordability Limits for Borrowers
(Subject to change when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac update their income limits, usually once a year. Updates are announced by directive.)
| Allegany |
$44,400 |
| Anne Arundel |
$75,920 |
| Baltimore |
$75,920 |
| Baltimore City |
$75,920 |
| Calvert |
$93,760 |
| Caroline |
$57,040 |
| Carroll |
$75,920 |
| Cecil |
$69,920 |
| Charles |
$93,760 |
| Dorchester |
$57,040 |
| Frederick |
$93,760 |
| Garrett |
$57,040 |
| Harford |
$75,920 |
| Howard |
$75,920 |
| Kent |
$59,680 |
| Montgomery |
$93,760 |
| Prince George's |
$93,760 |
| Queen Anne's |
$75,920 |
| Somerset |
$57,440
|
| St. Mary's |
$82,720
|
| Talbot |
$61,920
|
| Washington |
$53,600 |
| Wicomico |
$57,440
|
| Worcester |
$57,440 |
Unless otherwise stated, all requirements and guidelines of the Maryland Mortgage Program apply. Please refer to overlays and underwriting guidelines for US BANK and GSEs (FNMA & FHLMC) for additional requirements.
HomeAbility replaces the Department’s previous Homeownership for Individuals with Disability Program (HIDP) and is designed to assist more borrowers with disabilities.
HomeAbility may be offered ONLY by MMP lenders who have achieved gold or silver tier status (by production of 15 or more loans per quarter). See the 
lender list for that status.
For more information:
HomeAbility Fact Sheet
Directive
CDA Certificate of Disability