Community Land Trust Homeownership Grant

The Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is offering funding through the Community Land Trust Program Homeownership NOFA, supported by the city's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The purpose of this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is to provide financial resources to Community Land Trusts (CLTs) to develop and preserve permanently affordable homeownership opportunities in Baltimore. This round of the NOFA (Round 5) includes up to $8 million in total funding, combining new and carry-over funds from FY25. It is part of a broader initiative by the city to address the housing needs of low and very-low income households, particularly those earning 50% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI), with at least half of the funds targeted to support households earning 30% or less of AMI. The fund prioritizes the acquisition and rehabilitation of homes or vacant land for resale to first-time homebuyers under a community land trust model, using a shared equity approach. Projects must demonstrate long-term affordability through a resale formula and must align with community plans or revitalization initiatives. In addition to construction or rehab, allowable uses of funds include architectural and engineering costs, environmental testing, project management, legal fees, and a portion of operating costs directly related to the project. However, the fund may not be used for acquiring City-owned properties, rental housing, shelters, general organizational expenses, or commercial development. Eligibility is strictly limited to Community Land Trusts that are either 501(c)(2), (3), or (4) nonprofit organizations or are managed by such entities. Applicants must be registered with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and meet the state's Affordable Housing Land Trust requirements. Other required elements include a tri-partite board structure, stewardship standards, and site control or evidence of legal capacity to obtain site control within 12 months of funding. CLTs with three active construction or subsidy awards from the Trust Fund are ineligible for this round. The application process begins on August 22, 2025, and submissions are accepted on a rolling basis until June 30, 2026, or until funds are depleted. All applications must be submitted electronically through the Neighborly Portal. A pre-proposal conference will be held on August 27, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST, with a deadline for written questions by August 29, 2025. Responses will be posted by September 8, 2025. Notification of awards will occur within 90 days of submission. Applications are reviewed for threshold compliance before being scored on criteria such as project feasibility, community engagement, and achieving equity. Bonus points are available for factors like use of apprenticeships, collaboration across neighborhoods, and environmental sustainability. Awardees must go through an underwriting process before funds are disbursed and will need to meet insurance, reporting, and compliance requirements. Final approval of funding agreements lies with the City’s Board of Estimates. All funding is distributed on a reimbursement basis. For questions regarding the NOFA, applicants may contact DHCD at DHCD.AHTFNOFA@baltimorecity.gov. Additional program information, required documents, and updates can be accessed on DHCD’s website under the Affordable Housing Trust Fund section.

Attend the pre-proposal conference and submit questions early. Applications missing threshold documents will be rejected. Ensure all documentation and partnership agreements are included.