3 Prince George's County Homebuyer Assistance Programs That Could Put You in a Home in 2026
Saving for a down payment is the single biggest thing standing between renters and homeownership in Prince George's County. Home prices have climbed, and coming up with tens of thousands of dollars in cash upfront feels impossible for a lot of hardworking families. The good news: Prince George's County just made it dramatically easier.
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Prince George's County Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is offering three homebuyer assistance programs built to knock down that upfront-cost barrier. Two of them are brand new, and the third is the county's proven flagship — and together they can cover a serious chunk (sometimes all) of your down payment and closing costs.
Here's a detailed breakdown of each program, who it's for, and how to actually get the money.
Quick Overview: The Three Programs
Pathway to Purchase offers up to $50,000 and is best for first-time buyers who need help with down payment and closing costs. The Critical Workforce Housing Assistance Program offers up to $50,000 (or 25% of the purchase price, whichever is less) for teachers, first responders, nurses, and other essential workers. The Homeownership Equity Program offers up to $30,000 per buyer for moderate-income households, especially those buying inside the Capital Beltway.
All three come as zero-interest deferred loans — meaning no monthly payments on the assistance itself.
1. Pathway to Purchase (P2P) — The Flagship
Pathway to Purchase is the county's established, best-known program, and it's the workhorse of the three. It provides eligible first-time homebuyers with up to $50,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
How the money works:
It's a 0% interest deferred loan — no interest, no monthly payments.
The loan is forgiven at a rate of 10% per year, and after 10 years it's completely forgiven and the lien is released.
If you sell, transfer, or move out before that 10-year mark, you repay the remaining balance.
Key details:
You must be a first-time homebuyer (generally, no home ownership in the past three years) and occupy the home as your primary residence.
You can buy anywhere in Prince George's County.
Eligible properties include new construction, resale homes, foreclosures, and short sales.
It can often be paired with the Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) for even more down payment assistance and a competitive first-mortgage rate.
Best for: First-time buyers who have steady income but haven't been able to save enough cash to get to the closing table.
2. Critical Workforce Housing Assistance Program (CWHAP) — New for 2026
This brand-new program is a thank-you to the people who keep the county running. It helps essential workers and public servants buy homes in the communities they serve.
Who qualifies as "critical workforce":
Teachers
Police officers
Firefighters
Emergency medical personnel (EMTs/paramedics)
Healthcare professionals (including nurses)
Other designated critical workforce employees
How much you can get:
Up to $50,000, or 25% of the home's purchase price — whichever is less.
Provided as a zero-interest deferred loan.
Best for: Public servants and essential workers who want to live where they work but have been priced out of nearby neighborhoods. If you serve the community, this is likely your strongest option.
3. Homeownership Equity Program (HEP) — New for 2026
The other new program is designed to widen the door for moderate-income individuals and families — with a particular focus on strengthening communities inside the Capital Beltway.
How much you can get:
Up to $30,000 per buyer in down payment and homeownership assistance.
Provided as a zero-interest deferred loan.
Best for: Moderate-income buyers who may earn a little too much for some assistance programs but still need help bridging the affordability gap — especially those looking to buy inside the Beltway.
How to Apply — The Part Everyone Gets Wrong
Here's the most important thing to understand: you cannot apply for these programs directly with the county. You must go through an approved lender. That's how all three programs work.
A typical path to the keys looks like this:
Talk to an approved lender. They'll confirm your preliminary eligibility and pre-approve you for a first mortgage (often through the Maryland Mortgage Program).
Complete a homebuyer education class. An 8-hour class from a HUD-certified housing counseling agency is required — and it genuinely prepares you for the process.
Work with a real estate agent to find and place a contract on an eligible Prince George's County property.
Complete required inspections (Pathway to Purchase requires an HQS inspection after your contract is ratified).
Your lender submits your assistance application to the county once your mortgage underwriting is complete.
Income limits, area median income (AMI) figures, and debt requirements apply and can change, so confirming current eligibility with a lender is step one.
Which Program Is Right for You?
First-time buyer, need the most flexibility? → Pathway to Purchase.
Teacher, nurse, first responder, or essential worker? → Critical Workforce Housing Assistance Program (the highest potential benefit relative to your role).
Moderate-income and buying inside the Beltway? → Homeownership Equity Program.
And in many cases, these can be layered with a Maryland Mortgage Program loan to stretch your buying power even further.
Ready to Find Out What You Qualify For?
These three programs represent one of the best homeownership opportunities Prince George's County has offered in years — but funding is limited and applications go through approved lenders on a first-come basis. The buyers who move early are the ones who get the money.
If you're thinking about buying in Prince George's County, let's talk. I'll help you understand which program fits your situation, connect you with the right approved lenders, and guide you from pre-approval all the way to the closing table.
Reach out to Kimberlee Randall today to start your path to homeownership in Prince George's County.
Program details are based on Prince George's County DHCD information for the assistance suite launching July 1, 2026. Assistance amounts, income limits, and eligibility requirements are set by the county and are subject to change. This article is for informational purposes and is not a commitment to lend or a guarantee of program eligibility.
