Coppin State's Live Near the Nest Program Turns Employees into Homeowners

BALTIMORE – When Coppin State University launched its Live Near the Nest program, it made Maryland history. Providing $50,000 in home down payment assistance, the initiative is the largest of its kind ever established by a Maryland institution. For two Coppin State community members, an associate professor and a recent graduate, the program has transformed the dream of homeownership into reality, while deepening their roots in West Baltimore's historically significant Black neighborhoods. 

“My purpose for initiating this program was to help my faculty and staff achieve a part of the American dream, as well as close the wealth gap and stabilize our West Baltimore community. I understood that most hardworking people can afford to pay a mortgage; they just do not have an extra $10,000 to $40,000 lying around for the down payment,” said President Anthony L. Jenkins. “In my research, it was clear that 20 percent down on the average home in West Baltimore was going to be a challenge for most. Therefore, I wanted to provide financial assistance that would position my faculty and staff to enter their new home with some financial equity.”  

Statewide, about 51% of Black households in Maryland own their homes, compared with roughly 77% of white households, a 26-point homeownership gap reflecting generations of unequal access to ownership and wealth-building opportunities. In Baltimore City, only about 47.5% of households are homeowners, well below the national average, with Black homeownership (around 43%) lagging white homeownership (about 61%) by roughly 18 percentage points. Programs like Live Near the Nest help narrow these gaps by turning renters into homeowners, particularly in historic Black neighborhoods. 

Under Coppin’s program, Dr. Christopher Robinson, associate professor of social work, purchased a beautifully renovated 105-year-old townhome in Upton, one of Baltimore's earliest African American middle-class neighborhoods. Historically, this neighborhood has been home to Black professionals and property owners whose investments helped build community wealth and cultural life in the city. After relocating from Pittsburgh and renting, Robinson celebrated his first Thanksgiving as a homeowner this year. 

"Celebrating my first holiday season in my new home felt truly special," Robinson said. "This funding allowed me to buy a forever home near downtown Baltimore in a resilient community that is transforming." 

Just a few miles away, Christy Turner, a policy and research analyst for the West North Avenue Development Authority and a 2022 Coppin State graduate, also became a first-time homeowner through the program. Turner purchased a home in Druid Heights, which holds deep historical significance as Baltimore's first African American community. 

"Druid Heights was once the city's premier Black neighborhood, filled with jazz clubs, dance halls, theaters, and other cultural hubs," Turner said. "This area was home to educated and professional property owners, including doctors, lawyers, and retailers. It's notable that the Baltimore chapter of the NAACP was founded here, attracting famous leaders of the national civil rights movement like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, and Marcus Garvey." 

For both Robinson and Turner, the $50,000 grant significantly reduced their down payments and closing costs, creating instant home equity. In Baltimore City, where the median property value is about $219,300, the grant can turn what might feel like an out-of-reach goal into a realistic, sustainable purchase for first-time buyers. 

"Thanks to Coppin’s Live Near the Nest program and various homeownership incentives in Baltimore, my out-of-pocket closing costs were minimal, and I walked into equity the moment I purchased my home," Turner said. "Living in a more centralized location gives me easy access to everything I need, whether it's work, errands, or social events. Plus, being close to Druid Hill Park allows me to take full advantage of the green space and the vibrant cultural activities hosted there." 

Both new homeowners have become deeply engaged in their communities. Since purchasing his home, Robinson has joined the Upton Planning Committee and submitted research on community development to a peer-reviewed journal. 

"For me, this investment is more than just buying a home; it symbolizes Coppin State University's and the City of Baltimore's commitment to strengthening neighborhoods, promoting stability, and empowering residents and workers," Robinson said. 

Turner echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of living where you work. "Participating in Coppin’s program makes homeownership more attainable for young adults and professionals like me, helping us feel more connected to the community while also creating opportunities for generational wealth," she said. "When you are a part of the neighborhood where you work, you can build meaningful relationships with both colleagues and residents, which leads to creating a sense of belonging." 

"The most rewarding part of participating in the program has been the opportunity to connect with the community in a more personal way," Turner added. "Living in a neighborhood historically rich in Black excellence and success that is now reemerging has been truly meaningful to me. I hope that more recent Coppin State graduates and alumni consider making their way back to this area." 

This holiday season, both Robinson and Turner hosted family in their new homes for the first time. This milestone carries deep personal significance, they said. 

"It feels good to open my doors, share some good ole' holiday soul food, and make new family and friend memories here," Robinson said. "Even small gatherings seem meaningful because they are part of this new chapter, and I cannot wait to start building traditions in my new historic, fully renovated home, right here in Maryland." 

Both homeowners encourage their Coppin State colleagues to explore the program. Robinson's message is simple: "Now is the perfect time to become a homeowner in Baltimore. The future looks very promising for Upton and Baltimore City." 

Turner offers additional guidance: "Consider the longevity of the community and the University as an anchor institution. Living close to work demonstrates your commitment to the mission of rebuilding and enhancing the community. As Coppin State grows, being part of this transformation enriches your personal experience and contributes to a vibrant future for West Baltimore.” 

Through Coppin's historic investment, the largest of its kind in Maryland, vacant properties become vibrant homes, and employees become deeply rooted community partners. In a state where Black families have long faced disproportionate barriers to owning homes, Coppin's Live Near the Nest program is helping to write a new chapter in Maryland's homeownership story, one Coppin employee at a time. 

For more information about the Live Near the Nest program and how to apply, Coppin State University employees are encouraged to contact the Human Resources department at 410.951.3667.