Since 2001, the Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County (AHCMC) and its sponsors have provided more than $400,000 to moderate income individuals/families through its “Break the Barrier Home Ownership” closing cost assistance program.

• Are you a resident of Montgomery County, Maryland and are you a first-time home buyer? 
• Are you a U.S Citizen or Permanent Resident?
•  If so, you may be eligible for up to $10,000 to use toward down payment or closing cost assistance on the purchase of a home in Montgomery County.
• Have you applied before? Don’t be discouraged. All qualified applicants are welcome!

Here’s how to apply:

1.  Write an original * essay (One page, typed, 300 words or less, please) on “What Home-ownership Means to Me.” Note that essays with plagiarized or borrowed content will be disqualified.
2. Fill out the application below and submit online, or
3. Download application HERE and mail or email your essay and application to:
   Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County • Home Ownership Program
   P.O. Box 2111 • Rockville, MD 20847 or email it to ClosingCostAward@affordablehousingconference.org
4. If selected as a finalist, join us for an in-person interview to discuss your background and aspirations
5. Winners will attend our annual Affordable Housing Summit in order to receive their home-ownership grant

APPLICATION DEADLINE  TO APPLY:  March 16, 2026

To be eligible, applicants must be first-time home buyers who live in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Minimum income requirement is $40,000 per year. Maximum income limits relate to household size.

+Maximum income refers to gross annual income (wages before taxes) earned by all working adults per household

For income and other requirements click here

Contact Information
Melissa Mckenna, Executive Director 

Email: ClosingCostAward@affordablehousingconference.org 

Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County (AHCMC)
P.O. Box 2111, Rockville, MD, 20847