Accessible Homes for Seniors

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers a program for accessibility related improvements to the homes of seniors. These improvements help seniors remaining in their home and maintaining their independence.​

Eligible applicants​​

• Be Maryland residents with at least one resident age 55 or older
• Generally must own and occupy the home to be renovated as their principal residence 
  • Seniors living with relatives will be considered on a case by case basis
• Reside in a home that is structurally sound and free of health and safety hazards
• Not have any outstanding federal or state tax liens, open bankruptcy or foreclosure
• ​Meet income requirements

For loans: The household income cannot exceed ​80% of the Statewide or Washington DC MSA median. If the senior resides in the home of a relative, eligibility is based on the income of all persons occupying the home as their primary residence.​

Check income limits for your household size - PDF - 101.23 KB

Eligible improvements

Funds may be used to pay for the actual costs of making the house accessible or functional for the resident. This may include: 

• Widening doorways
• Installation of accessible showers, ramps, grab bars, and lever handles
• Additions to accommodate first floor bathrooms and laundry rooms will also be considered on a case by case basis

Loan terms

• Maximum loan amount: Up to 110% of the property value, taking into account any existing mortgages 
• Loan terms: Up to 30 years
• Deferred repayment: You do not need to repay the loan until you sell, transfer, or refinance your property
• Closing costs: All closing costs are included in the loan. 

Senior grants

Grants up to $15,000 are available to senior homeowners who meet all of the following requirements: 

• Earn less than 50% of the area median income (AMI) 
• Need accessibility modifications 
• Do not qualify for a loan

Application process

1. Get an application: Download or pick up an application at your local county housing office or Maryland Access Point agency.
2. Get help applying (optional): If you need help filling out the application, your local agency can assist you in person or schedule an in-home appointment.
3. Submit and wait for contact: Once you submit your completed application, the department will review it and contact you with next steps.

For more information, contact

• Your local Maryland Access Point agency
• The Maryland Department of Aging
• Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

Contact information

• To check your application status or update your information, submit an existing client inquiry.
• To request a loan payoff, view our payoff contact information - PDF - 88.76 KB.

For other questions, please contact:

Special Loan Programs
Email: [email protected]​
Phone: 301-429-7409
Toll Free (Maryland Only): 877-218-8101
TTY: 711 or 1-800-735-2258