Directive 2026-10 | First Homes for First Responders and Teachers
To: All Participating Lenders
The Maryland Mortgage Program is pleased to announce the launch of the First Homes for First Responders and Teachers initiative.
This $50 million first mortgage initiative recognizes and honors Maryland’s first responders—including EMT professionals, firefighters, and police officers—and teachers. The program offers a first mortgage loan with an interest rate that is 0.50% (50 basis points) lower than the standard MMP First Time Advantage 5% Loan product.
To be eligible, at least one borrower must be actively employed in Maryland as a First Responder or Teacher, as defined in the program fact sheet. Applications are also accepted from individuals relocating to Maryland who provide a signed, non-contingent contract or offer letter from an eligible Maryland employer.
Highlights of the First Homes for First Responders and Teachers Program include:
Key features of the program include a Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance loan equal to 5% of the first mortgage. This assistance carries a 0% interest rate with deferred payments, repayable upon the termination of the first mortgage (e.g., through sale or refinance). This product is exclusively available to first-time homebuyers employed full-time as teachers or by public safety agencies, fire departments, ambulance services, or hospitals, strictly defined by the program fact sheet.
Borrower eligibility will be confirmed via a standard written Verification of Employment (VOE) containing detailed income information, or an Income and Employment Verification Report from an agency-approved third-party vendor.
Detailed information regarding this update is available on our website: Program Fact Sheets & Tools
As always, we appreciate your continued participation in our programs. If you have any questions regarding this Notification, please email the Single Family Housing department at [email protected]
Thank you,
Kamili Jamal Brown
Assistant Director, Operations Manager