Maryland Home Modification Loan for Aging in Place: The Accessible Homes for Seniors Program

If you're a Maryland homeowner 55 or older and need a maryland home modification loan for aging in place, there's a state program most families have never heard of: the Accessible Homes for Seniors (AHS) program, administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). It offers zero-percent interest, deferred loans — and in some cases, outright grants — to help eligible seniors make the home modifications that let them stay where they want to be.

This program is genuinely underutilized. Most Maryland families navigating aging-in-place decisions have never encountered it. That's a shame, because it can cover a substantial portion of what these upgrades cost.

Here's what the program actually offers, who qualifies, and how to apply.

What Is Maryland's Accessible Homes for Seniors Program?

The Accessible Homes for Seniors (AHS) program exists specifically to fund accessibility-related home improvements for Maryland seniors. The core offer:

• 0% interest loans, deferred for up to 30 years — meaning no monthly payments. The loan is repaid when the home is sold, transferred, or refinanced.
• Grants up to $25,000 for seniors who don't qualify for loan funding due to insufficient equity or other reasons.
• The loan amount can go up to 110% of the property's value (accounting for any existing mortgages) — so even homeowners with limited equity may qualify.

All closing costs are included in the loan. There's no out-of-pocket cost to get started.

This isn't a small pilot program or a one-time funding pool. It's an ongoing DHCD program with a dedicated contact and application process.

What Can the Money Pay For?

The program funds modifications that make a home more accessible and functional for a senior resident. From DHCD's own documentation, eligible improvements include:

Bathroom Modifications

• Grab bars in the shower, beside the toilet, and throughout the bathroom — one of the highest-impact fall-prevention upgrades available
• Roll-in or zero-threshold showers to eliminate the step over a tub edge
• Accessible shower conversions with built-in benches and handheld showerheads
• Widened doorways to accommodate walkers, wheelchairs, or mobility aids

Exterior Accessibility

• Wheelchair ramps at entrances — including custom wood ramps that integrate with existing porches
• Improved railings and handrails on exterior stairs
• Threshold modifications to eliminate trip hazards at doorways

Interior Accessibility

• Stairlifts for homes with multi-level layouts — one of the most common modifications for seniors who want to keep using their full home
• Lever door handles and lever faucets — accessible to arthritic hands
• First-floor bathroom or laundry room additions, considered on a case-by-case basis

The program specifically focuses on modifications that allow the resident to remain independent in their home — not general home repairs or cosmetic updates.

Who Qualifies?

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Maryland's Accessible Homes for Seniors program:

• Age: At least one resident of the home must be age 55 or older
• Residency: Must own and occupy the home as a principal residence in Maryland
• Home condition: The home must be structurally sound and free of health and safety hazards
• Financial standing: No outstanding federal or state tax liens, open bankruptcy, or active foreclosure

Seniors living in a relative's home (rather than a home they own) may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Income Limits

Household income cannot exceed 80% of the statewide or Washington DC MSA median income. As of the most recent DHCD guidelines, that works out to approximately:

Washington DC Metro area (Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties):

• 1 person: ~$74,800/year
• 2 people: ~$85,450/year
• 4 people: ~$106,800/year

Rest of Maryland:

• 1 person: ~$72,950/year
• 2 people: ~$83,400/year
• 4 people: ~$104,200/year

Check the current DHCD Rehabilitation Income Limits document at dhcd.maryland.gov for the most up-to-date figures — these are updated periodically.

There is no asset test for this program. Income is what matters.

How to Apply: Step by Step

Step 1: Contact Your Local Maryland Access Point Agency

Applications are available through local County Housing Offices or Maryland Access Point (MAP) agencies — a network of local organizations that help seniors navigate state programs. The MAP agency for your county can help you complete the application and may offer in-home assistance.

Find your local MAP agency at: aging.maryland.gov/Pages/maryland-access-point.aspx

You can also call the Maryland Department of Aging directly at 410-767-1100.

Step 2: Complete the Application

The application form is available at: dhcd.maryland.gov/Energy-Home-Repair/Documents/mhrp-sf_application.pdf

You'll need documentation of income (tax returns, Social Security statements), proof of homeownership, and basic information about the property.

Step 3: DHCD Processes Your Application

Once submitted, DHCD reviews eligibility and contacts you to proceed. If approved, a DHCD inspector visits the home to assess needed modifications and create a scope of work.

Step 4: Contractor Bids and Selection

DHCD's inspector helps identify the needed work and you'll receive bids from contractors. The inspector can assist in evaluating bids.

Step 5: Loan Closing and Work Begins

Once the contractor is selected, DHCD finalizes the loan (or grant) and work begins. You don't pay anything upfront — the program covers costs directly.

Contact for questions or to start the process:

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

Special Loan Programs

7800 Harkins Road, 3rd Floor, Lanham, MD 20706

Phone: (301) 429-7409 | Toll-free (Maryland only): 877-218-8101

Email: DHCD.SpecialLoans@maryland.gov

What About Grants (Not Loans)?

For seniors who don't qualify for loan funding — typically because of insufficient home equity — DHCD offers grants up to $25,000 for the same accessibility modifications. Grants do not need to be repaid.

If your parent has limited equity in their home, make sure the application clearly reflects that. The reviewer will determine whether a grant is the appropriate vehicle.

Other Maryland Programs Worth Knowing

The Accessible Homes for Seniors program is the flagship, but it's not the only option:

Maryland Dept. of Aging — Aging in Place Grants: These fund nonprofits and Area Agencies on Aging that provide in-home services. Not direct individual grants, but your local AAA administers programs funded by these allocations — worth asking about.

WholeHome Critical Home Repairs Grant: DHCD's Homeowner Assistance Fund program covered urgent health/safety repairs. As of early 2026, applications closed after funds were exhausted — check dhcd.maryland.gov for any future funding rounds.

Montgomery County Design for Life: Montgomery County residents have access to a county-specific program with up to $40,000 in modifications and an included occupational therapy assessment. See our [Montgomery County resource guide](/resources/montgomery-county-md) for details.

VA HISA Grant: If the senior is a veteran, the VA's Home Improvements and Structural Alterations grant covers up to $6,800 (service-connected disability) for medically necessary modifications — and can be stacked with state programs.

Stacking Multiple Programs

For eligible Maryland homeowners, funding sources can often be combined. A Montgomery County veteran, for example, might stack:

• VA HISA grant ($6,800 for service-connected disability)
• Maryland Accessible Homes for Seniors loan or grant
• Montgomery County Design for Life program

Together, these can cover a comprehensive modification project — ramp, accessible bathroom, grab bars throughout — with minimal or no out-of-pocket cost.

The Bottom Line

Maryland's Accessible Homes for Seniors program is one of the better-kept secrets in DMV senior services. A 0% loan with no monthly payments for 30 years, plus grant options for those who don't qualify for loans — this is real money for modifications that make a genuine difference in safety and independence.

If your parent owns their home in Maryland and is 55 or older, the application is worth pursuing. The worst outcome is finding out you don't qualify. The best outcome is getting the ramp, the accessible shower, and the grab bars paid for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Maryland Accessibility Modification Program?

The Maryland Accessibility Modification Program — officially called the Accessible Homes for Seniors (AHS) program — is a state-funded initiative administered by DHCD. It provides 0% interest, deferred loans (and in some cases outright grants) to help Maryland homeowners 55 and older fund accessibility modifications that allow them to safely age in place.

Who qualifies for a Maryland home modification loan for aging in place?

To qualify, at least one household resident must be age 55 or older, the property must be their principal residence in Maryland, and household income must be at or below 80% of area median income. There is no asset test — income is the primary eligibility criterion. The home must be structurally sound with no active foreclosure or federal tax liens.

How much can I borrow through the Maryland Accessible Homes for Seniors program?

Loan amounts can be up to 110% of the property's appraised value (accounting for any existing mortgages). The loan is deferred — meaning no monthly payments — for up to 30 years. It is repaid only when the home is sold, transferred, or refinanced. Seniors who don't qualify for loan financing may receive grants up to $25,000 instead.

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Ready to take the next step? [Find Maryland-licensed contractors who specialize in aging-in-place modifications →](/contractors?state=MD)

Already have funding lined up or want to explore all available programs? Our [Montgomery County, MD resource guide](/resources/montgomery-county-md) covers every local program, funding source, and service available in the county — including how to reach your Area Agency on Aging.