Maryland Mortgage Program Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Affordable Homeownership By U.S. Bank
NEW CARROLLTON, MD (March 19, 2026) – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day today announced that the Department’s flagship homebuying program, the Maryland Mortgage Program, has been awarded Outstanding Achievement in Affordable Homeownership as part of U.S. Bank’s 2026 Housing Finance Agency Homeownership Awards. The awards celebrate organizations that drive strong loan production outcomes and help expand access to sustainable homeownership within their communities. At the close of February, Maryland was the state with the highest 2026 production in the nation for U.S. Bank.
“This recognition from U.S. Bank is a testament to the strength of the Maryland Mortgage Program and our team at DHCD who works every day to expand access to homeownership,” said Secretary Day. “These results reflect our strong partnerships and our clear focus on helping more Marylanders buy a home. Most importantly, they signal the momentum we’re carrying into the rest of 2026 as we continue opening doors to affordable, sustainable homeownership across our state.”
The Department’s nationally recognized Maryland Mortgage Program offers critically important down payment assistance options responsive to an ever-changing housing market. The program includes innovative products like the award-winning Maryland SmartBuy, special down payment assistance for people with disabilities through HomeAbility and for the very low income population, as well as home repairs and improvements for first time homebuyers through the FHA 203(K) Limited. The program has averaged $1 billion in mortgage loan reservations annually and provided 3,070 mortgages for Maryland homebuyers in Fiscal Year 2025.
While several qualitative factors guided the awards selection process, this recognition is primarily based on year‑to‑date loan production results. Last year, the Department’s Maryland Mortgage Program ranked as the second-highest loan producer in total production dollars among U.S. Bank’s 38 participating clients nationwide. Production was measured year-to-date, reflecting consistent performance throughout the measurement period.
For more information on the Department’s Maryland Mortgage Program and other resources for homeowners, visit our website.
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CONTACT:
Allison Foster, Director of Communications – allison.foster@maryland.gov
