Employers are joining CDA's newest homeownership initiative, House Keys 4 Employees, an employer partnership program, to help Maryland's workforce become homeowners through a creative match program with the State of Maryland. For employers this can become an attractive recruiting tool by providing assistance with closing costs and down payment on a new home for new employees, or as a retention tool for existing employees.

House Keys 4 Employees enables eligible homebuyers to receive more down payment and/or closing cost assistance than is available through the standard down payment and closing cost assistance programs. Any borrower who receives a contribution for down payment and/or closing cost assistance from an employer, local government, union, or nonprofit agency and meets the eligibility criteria under the Maryland Mortgage Program (MMP) may participate in House Keys 4 Employees.

Local participating employers include Chaney Enterprises, St. Mary's County Government, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary's County Fire, Rescue & Advanced Life Support Volunteers, St. Mary's County Library, St. Mary's County Schools, and St. Mary's Hospital.

If you are interested in becoming a Participating Employer, please review the Employer Guidelines online at www.morehouse4less.com/hk4eEmployers.aspx and complete and submit the Employer Participation Agreement to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

For more information, you can call toll-free 1-800-638-7781 or visit the website at www.morehouse4less.com. 

St. Mary’s County Government is a local participating employer, and you can contact Cynthia DellaGatta, Economic Development Coordinator, at 301-475-4200 ext. 1408 or cynthia.dellagatta@stmarysmd.com, to discuss how the County adopted the program for its employees.