Live Near Your Work

Employer Affiliation & Status

• LNYW Grants are open to full-time benefits-eligible employees of JHU. There is no probationary period to apply for a LNYW grant; you must be actively receiving pay from Hopkins to apply. 

• The following JHU groups are NOT eligible: part-time employees, intrastaff, residents, postdoctoral fellows, students, and APL employees. 

• Employees of Johns Hopkins Health System and affiliates should visit myBenefitsJHHS to learn more about the LNYW program.

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

• LNYW grants are only available in certain areas of Baltimore City; the boundary map outlines eligible areas and indicates grant amounts.

Rules and Requirements

• Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements to be considered for a grant. 
• Grants are provided at the discretion of JHU Benefits & Worklife and the Baltimore City Office of Homeownership; applying for a grant does not guarantee a grant. 
• LNYW grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis; approval & disbursement of funds is contingent upon the timely receipt of required documents. 
• Applications are typically processed within 30 days; please apply no later than 30 days prior to your projected settlement date. 
• Hopkins applicants MUST receive Baltimore City 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 LNYW grant may be used per eligible address. 
• 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. 
• LNYW grants are considered taxable benefits and will appear on a grantee’s paystub and W2.
• If the home is sold and/or the home is not the primary residence during the five-year period after settlement, grantee may be subject to repayment of grant. 
• A settlement date must occur no later than 60 days after the LNYW grant payment is made; if the grantee does not close on the home within 60 days, Johns Hopkins reserves the right to treat the LNYW grant as an overpayment and the grantee will be required to repay the grant in full (repayments that occur in a year subsequent to the issuance of the grant, must be made gross of any federal and state taxes that were withheld).  
• 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 LNYW grant can result in denial of the grant, repayment of any grant funds received by the employee, and disciplinary action up to and including termination.

LNYW is a city-partnership program and is restricted to certain boundaries within Baltimore City. Please refer to the boundary map for eligibility. 

Boundary map

• Purple = Hopkins Campuses 
• Orange = Remington & Waverly $10,000 
• Green = HCPI & East Baltimore/Eager Park $17,000 
• All other areas within boundary = $5,000 

The grant amount you receive will be less after taxes are withheld.

TOTAL GRANT	Hopkins Gross	Hopkins Net	City Grant	Total “Cash-to-Close”
$5,000	$2,500	$1,516	$2,500	$4,016
$10,000 (JHU ONLY)	$7,500	$4,549	$2,500	$7,049
$17,000	$14,500	$8,794	$2,500	$11,294

Net grant amounts may vary based on individualized tax calculations.

The Hopkins LNYW grant is considered a taxable benefit; the city grant is NOT taxed. 

• The Hopkins grant will be issued via payroll direct deposit.
• The City grant is a check that must be picked up from the City’s office prior to settlement.
• Grant payments cannot be used retroactively.

Applying for the LNYW grant is actually one of the last steps in your homebuying process. Once you have completed your homebuying course and counseling, have made an offer that is accepted and have entered into a sales contract, you are ready to apply for the Hopkins LNYW program!

1. Create an account with Neighborly to begin your application (link below). 
   • Application process takes about 20 minutes to complete. 
   • There are 2 application links – make sure you use the correct application based on your Hopkins employer. 
2. Fill out all required fields and upload the following required documents:
   • Homebuying Course & Counseling Certificate (must be signed and dated by agency) 
   • Ratified Sales Contract (must be signed by seller & buyer) 
3. Submit application. 
   • Once your application is submitted, it will be reviewed by our office; if anything is missing or additional information is required, we will reach out to you. 
4. Receive approval email from Johns Hopkins.
   • After your eligibility is approved, you will receive an email from our office with your next steps. This email will also include a letter of intent with your estimated grant amount as well as an employer verification letter which you will need to apply to the city portion of the grant. 
5. Apply for Baltimore City LNYW grant. 
   • You cannot apply to the city until you have received approval from Hopkins. 
   • Baltimore City also uses Neighborly software – you will need to complete a separate application on their Neighborly page. 
6. Send conditional loan documents. 
   • You or your lender must provide a copy of your conditional loan commitment to our office.
7. Baltimore City Approval 
   • Baltimore City will email you an approval letter for their portion of the grant. with next steps. Please be sure to send us a copy of this letter. We cannot issue your grant payment until it is received.
   • The city grant check takes 10-15 business days from the date on the approval letter to arrive in their office; once received, the city will contact your lender to schedule a check pickup. 
8. Hopkins Grant Payment 
   • Once we have received your conditional loan commitment and city approval documents, we will process your grant payment through payroll via direct deposit. 
   • Your grant payment will be posted prior to your settlement date.  
9. Provide proof of settlement.
   • After you have settled, send a copy of your signed final closing disclosures document. 
   • Proof of settlement must be received within 60 days of your grant payment. 

Apply through neighborly

Johns Hopkins University Live Near Your Work Program (LNYW)

For more information about the Hopkins LNYW program, email [email protected] or call 410-516-2000.

Live Baltimore

• The LIVE Baltimore website has everything you need to know about all things homebuying in Baltimore City including information on 250+ neighborhoods, rental living options, homebuying incentive programs, historic tax credits, events, realtor and lender contacts, and more.  
• LNYW grants can be stacked with additional city incentives. Discover the loan programs, down payment and closing cost funds, renovation projects, and tax credits available to you.  
• Nearly all homebuying incentive programs require that you earn a Homeownership Certificate from a city-approved agency PRIOR to making an offer on a home. Explore approved agencies here.

Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development

The Office of Homeownership Incentives offers a variety of programs to homebuyers purchasing in Baltimore City. These incentives can make buying a home more affordable by lowering your closing costs and boosting your down payment. Email [email protected] or call 410-396-3124 for more information.

Can an offer be made on a house before the homebuying course and 1-on-1 counseling session is completed?
No. The course and counseling session must be completed PRIOR to making an offer and is only valid for 1 year. There are no exceptions to this rule.

I completed my homebuying course and 1-on-1 counseling session a year ago, but am just now putting an offer in on a house, is my certificate still valid?
The certificate is only valid for one year past the date of completion, per Baltimore City’s Office of Homeownership guidelines. You will need to re-do the course and provide updated documentation before making an offer and moving forward in the homebuying process. Explore approved agencies here.

Is there a fee or cost associated with the homebuying course?
Most in-person courses are free of charge, however, if you choose a virtual course, there may be fees associated. Registration cost is typically $99. Some agencies offer a discount code, be sure to visit their websites to find out what is required and what fees may be associated. 

I completed the homebuying course and counseling session over a year ago and recently took a Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae online homebuying course. Does that count toward the requirement? 
No. You must complete the course through one of the approved agencies. The certificate is only valid for one year, so you must retake the course and counseling session prior to making an offer on a home. 

I purchased a home using the LNYW program over 5 years ago and I am starting to look for a new house. Can I use the LNYW grant program again? Or is it a one-time benefit?
You can apply again for a LNYW grant after the 5 year period as long as the residence you are purchasing is your primary residence. It is not a one-time benefit.

Why is my grant payment lower than what is listed on the website and boundary map?
Grants awarded by Johns Hopkins are considered taxable income by the IRS and will be taxed prior to receipt. An individual tax calculation is conducted for each LNYW applicant.

If I make an offer on a house now and pay the down payment, can I credit the LNYW grant toward the loan balance once I have completed the LNYW eligibility requirements?
No. Grant funding can ONLY be used for down payment and closing costs. Those who make an offer and enter into a sales agreement prior to completing this requirement forfeit their eligibility for this program. The homebuying course and 1-on-1 counseling session are a requirement by Baltimore City and Johns Hopkins.

I just accepted a position at Hopkins, but have not officially started yet. I found a home I would like to make an offer on — can I apply for the LNYW grant? Or can the funds be used retroactively to a home purchase?
No. You must be an active employee on payroll to be eligible for the program. Funds cannot be used retroactively. 

Can I still qualify for the LNYW grant if I’m listed on the title, but my partner is the only one on the loan?
No. The Hopkins affiliate must be on the loan in order to be eligible to apply for this grant.

Are PhD students eligible for the LNYW grant?
No. The LNYW grant is an employee program and PhD students are considered learners. Grants are open to full-time, benefits-eligible employees only. 

I am a Hopkins employee working 2 days a week in Baltimore City. I currently live out of state, but am considering buying a secondary home in Baltimore rather than paying for a hotel when I am in the office. Can I use the LNYW grant for this purchase?
No. The LNYW grant can only be used towards the purchase of your primary residence. Secondary homes are not eligible for the grant.

Are there other incentive programs or loans that I can apply for?
Yes. Live Baltimore offers a number of incentives and programs for homebuying in Baltimore City. Visit their website to learn more: https://livebaltimore.com/.

How many incentives can be stacked when purchasing a home in Baltimore City?
There is no limit to the number of incentives you can use when purchasing a home. You must meet the eligibility criteria and all requirements to receive each incentive. Check with your lender to see what you may qualify for. 

If I am purchasing the house with someone else that is not employed through Hopkins, do they also have to complete the homebuying course and 1:1 counseling session?
Yes. The City of Baltimore requires that all buyers named on the mortgage loan complete a homebuying course and 1:1 counseling.

How do I know if I am eligible for the LNYW program?
The LNYW program is open to full-time benefits-eligible employees. If you are eligible for full-time benefits through your department, you are eligible to apply for the LNYW program. If you are unsure of your status, confirm with your HR representative or supervisor. You can also email [email protected] to confirm your eligibility.

I have an F-1 Visa, am I eligible for the LNYW program or do I need to be on a H1-B?
Yes, you are eligible. As long as the other eligibility requirements are met, there is no restriction for having a visa. It is recommended that you check with your lender regarding getting a mortgage loan with a visa.

My Baltimore City check was not ready for pick-up prior to my settlement date, can I use those funds retroactively?
No. The city check and Hopkins funds must be used at the time of settlement/closing and cannot be used retroactively. The city check takes about 10-15 days from approval to pick-up, so please keep this in mind when you are applying for the grant. We recommend applying for the grant at least 30 days prior to your settlement date.

Since the LNYW grant is considered taxable income, if I qualify for the highest grant amount, will that move me up to a higher income tax bracket?
Contact your financial advisor or tax preparer to discuss the potential implications and how the grant may affect your tax bracket. Financial and tax assistance is available through the Johns Hopkins Employee Assistance Program (JHEAP) by calling 888-978-1262.

Can I use the LNYW grant to purchase a condo?
Yes, as long as it falls within the LNYW boundaries, condos are eligible.

Is there a minimum credit score needed?
You must finance a mortgage loan to use this program. Through that process, credit scores are considered and your lender will be able to provide you with additional information.  

Can the LNYW grant be used towards the purchase of a multi-family property? 
Yes. The multi-family property can only have up to 4 units, and you must reside in one of them as your primary residence. Commercial properties and buildings are not eligible. The loan amount cannot exceed $667,000.

If I am currently an employee, but not working, am I still eligible for the program?
If you are on short-term disability, long-term disability (LTD) or a leave of absence (LOA), but are still benefits-eligible, you can still apply for the LNYW grant. If your LTD or LOA exceeds one year, you are no longer eligible.

How does it work if my partner and I both work for Hopkins?
Only one grant is issued per address. Only one application is required, however, be sure the applicant is full-time benefits-eligible and meets all requirements of the program. Whoever applies for the grant must be listed on the contract and loan documents to be eligible for the program. You will both need to attend the homebuying course and counseling session, but do not necessarily have to attend the same course at the same time.

Are there any exceptions made if a property falls just outside of the LNYW boundary?
No. The boundaries are set and strict. There are no exceptions.

If my employment status changes after receiving the grant but the house is still my primary residence, do I need to pay back the grant?
No, as long as you are an active full-time benefits-eligible employee at the time of settlement, and the house remains your primary residence for 5 years, you do not need to repay the grant.

If the City is out of funds, can I still apply for the program?
Yes, you can still apply for the LNYW program, but will only receive the Hopkins portion of the grant, which is taxed. Applicants must still apply for and be approved by the City in order to receive Hopkins funding. If you have flexibility in your homebuying timeline, funds will be replenished by the City.

• Homeownership Counseling Agencies
• LNYW Boundary Map
• Neighborly Software
• Baltimore City Office of Homeownership
• Live Baltimore
• JHHS Benefits