Opportunity could pave the way for millions of investing dollars into the Baltimore area.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20th, 2025
Contact:
Milan Griffin
MaGriffin@homefreeusa.org
P. 202-427-6300
Landover, MD – While many DMV-area residents are feeling the strain of the economy, one group of entrepreneurs is poised to reap financial rewards, thanks to an innovative program and the new tax law known as “The Big Beautiful Bill”: Local real estate developers.
The newly passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, also known as “The Big Beautiful Bill,” includes a real estate developer’s incentive of up to 12.5% in tax breaks to build in low-income areas. That means there will likely be more opportunities for Baltimore-area and Prince George’s County developers to secure funding for their projects aimed at renovating the city.
To help local developers prepare for these new opportunities, HomeFree-USA has partnered with Freddie Mac and curriculum provider Grow America to offer the “Develop the Developer Academy” (DTDA), a five-day intensive training and networking opportunity designed to equip emerging real estate developers from underrepresented backgrounds with the tools to scale their business, secure financing, and strengthen communities in Baltimore and Prince George’s County, Maryland. While DTDA will be held November 7 – 11, 2025, registration ends September 26th.
Serving an Underserved Market
Far too often, real estate developers don’t represent the communities in which they build.
- Women, Black, and Hispanic real estate developers make up less than 1% of the industry.
- In Maryland, less than 5% of single-family homes are developed by small, local builders.
- Access to capital is a significant hurdle for Black and Brown developers.
DTDA will address these concerns. Participants will receive insight into the nuisances of development in Baltimore and Prince George’s County, MD, and learn among other things about local financial institutions offering development loans, how to expedite permit processes, and how to find local quality contractors with proven track records.
“There are winners and there are losers with this ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’” says Milan Griffin, Chief Operations Officer at HomeFree-USA. “Local real estate developers are among the winners, and they can leverage the legislation to further their real estate goals. That would benefit not only the developers but the entire Baltimore community.”
Your audience would benefit from knowing about this opportunity to apply for this event before registration closes on September 12. Revitalized development could leave Baltimore poised to enjoy an influx of real estate projects that can help to transform the city. Milan Griffin is available to speak with your audience about the opportunity.
Event Details:
Develop the Developer Academy
November 7th to 11th, 2025
Registration ends September 26th
Cambria Hotel
7700 Milestone Parkway
Hanover, MD 21076
Please direct any questions about the program to eventsupport@homefreeusa.org
About Milan Griffin
As Chief Operations Officer at HomeFree-USA, Milan Griffin is committed to amplifying the company’s mission — to create new homebuyers and sustainable homeowners, develop affordable homes, and revitalize communities. She does this by driving production across the company, strengthening partnerships, and increasing community engagement.
In response to the low Black homeownership rate, the widening wealth gap, and the swift wave of gentrification in cities nationwide, Griffin has led multiple campaigns to show marginalized communities how to achieve homeownership; teach homeowners how to prevent foreclosure; and help emerging real estate developers grow their businesses.
About HomeFree-USA
Marcia and Jim Griffin launched HomeFree-USA in 1994 with a vision to close the wealth gap by giving people the guidance they need to achieve and sustain homeownership. As the owners of the first and largest African American mortgage servicing company in the country, National Loan Service Center, Jim and Marcia were devastated by the high rates of default among borrowers of color. Thirty years later, HomeFree-USA is still on the frontlines serving the diverse interests of 63 million consumers through its national intermediary network. We connect
government, the real estate finance industry, and consumers to create new homebuyers, sustainable homeowners, affordable homes and revitalized communities.
