DHCD to expand down‑payment aid and launch critical‑workers program

DHCD officials described program-level changes intended to boost homeownership and support essential workers.

Director Jonathan Butler and staff said the Pathway to Purchase program’s down‑payment and closing-cost assistance was increased from $25,000 to $50,000 late in the prior calendar year, producing greater pipeline activity. Butler said the department will introduce a Homeownership Equity program providing up to $30,000 for first-time buyers inside the Capital Beltway, and a Critical Workers Housing program providing up to $50,000 in down-payment and closing-cost assistance for county critical workers such as police officers, nurses and teachers.

Staff cautioned the new programs’ reach will be limited by available funding — Pathway to Purchase is funded with roughly $1 million in HOME dollars annually and may exhaust allocations by June 30, requiring a pause until HUD allocations refresh. Committee members asked how many applicants exist and whether partners such as Habitat for Humanity could be engaged for production or zero‑interest loans; staff said they would follow up with additional data and district-level pipeline lists.