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Critical Workforce Program

Program Description:
The Department of Housing and Community Services will offer second mortgage financing to new homebuyers who meet the Program guidelines. The purpose of the program is to insure that the county continues to have an adequate supply of workers in local jobs that are critical to the safety and well being of our county residents. The loan cannot exceed 33% of the total purchase price or the appraised value of the home and property whichever is less.

Eligibility:
At least one of the borrowers must fall into one or more of the following categories:

Critical Workforce

  • Teacher employed full time in Queen Anne's County.
  • Law enforcement officers, including correctional officers, employed full time in Queen Anne's County by County or Municipal Government.
  • Emergency Medical Technician employed full time in Queen Anne's County.
  • An active member of a Queen Anne's County Volunteer Fire Company for the past 12 months. This includes both firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians. The President of the County Volunteer Chief's Association must certify eligibility for this category.
  • Queen Anne's County Emergency Dispatchers.
Housing Choice Voucher/ Family Self-Sufficiency Program participant.

Applicant's household income cannot exceed 80% of the median income for the Baltimore Metropolitan Statistical Area. This applies to all Critical Workforce loans.

Recipients must remain in an eligible category (employment or volunteer service) for a minimum of 5 years, except for Section 8 clients. Annual re-certification will be required to ensure workforce eligibility. If no longer in an eligible category, the loan will no longer be interest free or deferred. Payments will commence 60 days after a determination of ineligibility. The outstanding balance will be repaid in 240 equal monthly payments of principal and interest will be amortized over 20 years and due on the first of each month. Interest will be 8% per annum.

Loan Guidelines:
  • The Critical Workforce Housing Program maximum loan amount is the lesser of $50,000 or 33% of the purchase price or appraised value of the home.
  • Loans are zero percent, deferred payment loans.
  • The loans are for homes located in Queen Anne's County and must be the owner's primary residence.
  • The loan can be paid off or payments made to the principal with no penalty.
  • In order to avoid a double benefit, loans may not be used to purchase a home under the County's Inclusionary Housing Program (Title 18 - Moderately Priced Dwelling Units).
  • Critical Workforce Program mortgages can only be subordinated to refinance the current mortgage amount to a lower interest rate. No "cash out" will be permitted with the exception of loan closing costs. In a refinancing, mortgagees will not be permitted to consolidate loans into a new mortgage even if the net amount is below the original loan amount. Applicants must still be income eligible to qualify for the program.
  • Persons seeking a loan will apply through the Queen Anne's County Department of Housing and Community Services.
  • Loans will be approved in order of application date until the funding runs out.
  • The Director of Housing and Community Services will approve each loan once the applicant's eligibility is established.
  • Each loan will be secured by a second mortgage on the property being purchased. Mortgages will be recorded in the Q. A. Co. land records at the borrower's expense.
  • A copy of the closing documents must be sent to the Dept of Housing and Community Services at least 4 business days prior to closing.
  • All loan repayments will be placed in the Housing Revolving Fund.