The State of Maryland government is a participating employer (Note: this does not cover employees of the institutions that fall within the University System of Maryland -- those institutions would need to sign up separately to become a participating employer and their employees do need a Verification of Partner Contribution form for their employer).

As a participating employer, the State is providing financial assistance to active State of Maryland government employees (permanent and contractual employees) who may be interested in purchasing a home through the Maryland Mortgage Program (which is a state-sponsored homebuyer mortgage program that offers a variety of fixed low-interest rate products). The amount available to State employees through the House Keys 4 Employees Program is in addition to the down payment and settlement expense assistance that the Community Development Administration (CDA) already provides to Maryland Mortgage Program participants (information on these programs can be found at http://www.mmprogram.org/downpayment.aspx ).  Interested employees can visit our website at www.mmprogram.org  and review the information on our mortgage loan and down payment and closing cost assistance programs. It may be helpful to first review the information found at the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) link http://www.mmprogram.org/faqs.aspx.

Once you review the material, your next step should be to contact a CDA-approved lender to make an appointment to get pre-qualified for a Maryland Mortgage Program loan.  A list of approved lenders can be found at this link http://www.mmprogram.org/lenders.aspx .  Please also ask your lender at the time of your pre-qualification appointment about the homebuyer education requirement associated with getting a Maryland Mortgage Program loan.

No part of the State's contribution through the House Keys 4 Employees program comes out of the employee's State agency's budget; it is all coming from our agency's (DHCD) budget.

State of Maryland Government employees do not need to present a "Verification of Partner Contribution" form nor do they need to work through their agency's Human Resources Office to get the benefit of this program. You do not need any sort of a certificate or other paperwork in regard to your employment with the State of Maryland. State employees merely need to inform the CDA-approved lender that they are a State of Maryland employee, which the lender will verify by reviewing the employee's pay stub. 

Just so you have an idea of how House Keys 4 Employees works, here is an example:

• State of Maryland Government employer contribution = $2,500
• HK4E match = $2,500
• Total amount of assistance through House Keys 4 Employees to help the borrower get into the house = $5,000.

You may also be eligible for additional assistance in the amount of $2,500 through the new "Smart Keys 4 Employees". You are eligible for the extra Smart Keys assistance if you are buying a home within 10 miles of your place of employment (or within the boundaries of the county) and the property is located in a Priority Funding Area. Your CDA-approved lender will be able to help you determine if you meet this criteria.

Our assistance (the State's employer contribution and the HK4E match) is made available at the time of closing; the lender actually advances our funds at closing, and then we reimburse the lender subsequent to the closing of the loan). Your lender should be familiar with the process, but feel free to share this message with them. If the lender is not familiar with the process or our programs, they should contact us by email at: singlefamilyhousing@mdhousing.org