WNADA LNYW (Live Near Your Work) Initiative
Rules & Requirements
WNADA LNYW is a homebuying grant program funded by WNADA. Below are the eligibility requirements, program rules, and boundaries (21216 & 21217) and grant information you should be familiar with before applying to the program.
Eligibility & Program Rules
Employer Affiliation & Status
- WNADA LNYW Grants are open to full-time benefits-eligible employees of the following:
- Coppin State University, MICA, WNADA and
- State of Maryland with offices in Baltimore City
- Druid Heights CDC
- Coppin Heights CDC
- Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council
- Upton Planning Committee
- Elev8/Sandtown-Winchester Community Collective
- Reservoir Hill Equitable Development Corporation
- Black Arts District
- There is no probationary period to apply for an LNYW grant; you must be actively receiving pay from one of the listed employers to apply.
Homeownership Counseling
- PRIOR to making an offer on a home, all applicants MUST complete a homeownership course and 1:1 counseling session with an approved Baltimore City homeownership counseling agency.
- Those who enter into a sales agreement prior to completing this requirement will forfeit their eligibility for this program.
- Certificates from a counseling class are valid for one year; if the certificate expires prior to buying a home, the course and counseling session must be repeated.
- Explore approved agencies here.
- The course and counseling session must be completed with the SAME agency.
Designated Neighborhoods
- WNADA LNYW grants are only available in 21217 and 21216 zip codes of Baltimore City.
Rules and Requirements
- Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements to be considered for a grant.
- Applying for a grant does not guarantee a grant or approval.
- WNADA LNYW grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis; approval & disbursement of funds is contingent upon the timely receipt of required documents and remaining availability of funds.
- Applications are typically processed within 30 days; please apply no later than 30 days prior to your projected settlement date.
- ALL applicants MUST Druid Heights CDC approval to receive funding.
- Applicants are required to contribute at least $1,000 towards the purchase of the home.
- Grant money may be used ONLY towards down payment and closing costs.
- Only one WNADA LNYW grant may be used per eligible address.
- WNADA LNYW purchases must be the primary residence of the grantee, as defined by the state of Maryland, for a period of at least 5 years from the date of settlement.
- The purchase must be financed with a fixed-rate mortgage from a federally insured lender; standard FHA, conventional, and HUD 203K loans are encouraged.
- The following loans are NOT acceptable: no-document loan, interest-only loan, adjustable-rate loan, loan amount of greater than $667,000, loans with co-signers (co-buyers who both live in the home are accepted), and any loans for which repayment penalties or fees are applicable or assessed.
- No cash sales/purchases of eligible homes are allowed.
- If the home is sold and/or the home is not the primary residence during the five-year period after settlement, the grantee may be subject to repayment of the grant.
- Grantees are required to provide proof of settlement (closing disclosures).
- False statements or material omissions made by an employee on or in connection with an application for a WNADA LNYW grant can result in denial of the grant, repayment of any grant funds received by the employee.