Emergency Mortgage & Housing Assistance Program

Program Overview

The Emergency Mortgage & Housing Assistance Program (EMHAP) assists Baltimore City homeowners whose homes are at risk of foreclosure due to economic hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance is provided as a grant in the form of a direct payment to the mortgage company to pay past due mortgage charges. Homeowners without a mortgage can still receive assistance for past due homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, and water bills. Payments can be applied toward arrearages for any consecutive six-month period since March 1, 2020.

Funding

The City has designated $3,000,000 in Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV3) funds for EMHAP. We estimate that these funds will support between 300 and 600 households. The program will end once all funds have been committed.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for EMHAP, homeowners must meet the following criteria:

  • Gross annual household income at or below 80% AMI (priority will be given to applicants below 50% AMI)
  • The applicant must occupy the property as his/her primary residence
  • The applicant must have a mortgage with a past due balance or, if the applicant does not have a mortgage, homeowner's insurance, property taxes, or water bills with past due balances
  • The household of the applicant must demonstrate a loss or reduction of income due to COVID-19

Application Process

You can apply for EMHAP online at https://portal.neighborlysoftware.com/baltimoremd/Participant. Click on the Register tab and register for a free account with your name and email. After registering, click Sign In to enter your email and password. Then, under Start a New Application, click Emergency Mortgage & Housing Assistance Program. If you need assistance, call the LIGHT Intake & Assessment Unit at 410-396-3023.

If you do not wish to complete the application online, you can download and print the application from https://dhcd.baltimorecity.gov/sites/default/files/EMHAP%20Application%204.18.22.pdf, or you can pick up a paper application from us at 417 E. Fayette St., Suite 1125.

To submit a paper application, you can mail it or bring it to:

Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development
417 E. Fayette Street, Suite 1125
Baltimore, MD 21202

Questions? Call the LIGHT Intake & Assessment Unit at 410-396-3023.