Develop the Developer℠ Academy
Emerging real estate developers… Create the change you want to see in your community
October 21, 22, 23 and 26,27, 2026
Application open: July 22 – September 18
Take Your Business to the Next Level
Develop the Developer℠ Academy equips emerging real estate developers with the knowledge, relationships, and financing strategies needed to successfully develop single-family or multifamily housing and scale sustainable real estate businesses. Through expert-led training, direct access to lenders, and ongoing post-program support, participants gain the tools to move confidently from project planning to execution.
Questions? send an email to: eventsupport@homefreeusa.org
THE REALITY:
Far too often, real estate developers don’t represent the communities where 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.
Program Participants Benefit from:
✔ 8-months of support, guidance, expert speakers, and ongoing classes
✔ Insight into the nuisances of development in Prince George’s County and Baltimore, MD
✔ Informative conversations with lenders, local government, nonprofit, and community leaders
Participants will learn:
✔ The fundamentals of single-family and multifamily real estate development
✔ How to identify, evaluate, and structure viable development opportunities
✔ Financing strategies, loan products, and capital sourcing for development projects
✔ How to build a bankable deal package that attracts lenders and investors
✔ Best practices for budgeting, project management, and construction oversight
✔ How to navigate zoning, permitting, and the development approval process
✔ Strategies for building long-term relationships with lenders, investors, and industry partners
✔ How to successfully launch, manage, and grow a real estate development business
Support Doesn't End at Graduation
The Develop the Developer℠ Academy is more than a training program, it’s an ongoing partnership. Graduates receive continued guidance through quarterly check-ins, specialized technical assistance, and connections to financing opportunities designed to help turn real projects into completed developments. Whether participants need support preparing a loan package, overcoming project challenges, or accessing industry experts, the Academy remains a resource throughout their development journey.
WHY OUR APPROACH WORKS
WHY OUR APPROACH WORKS
Maryland residents understand the nuances of their neighborhoods—what makes them special and what they truly need.
Profits from successful development projects stay in our cities, creating a cycle of local reinvestment
Local developers have personal stakes in project success beyond financial returns—these are the streets where their families live.
Every rehabilitated property creates jobs for local contractors, increases the tax base, and stabilizes neighborhoods.
By building a network of skilled local developers, we create lasting capacity within Maryland to address housing challenges for decades to come.
Meet Develop the Developer℠ the Developer Academy Participants
Take a look at some of the highlights and participants from last year’s cohort! Out of 84 applicants, we welcomed 20 emerging developers—and we’re proud to share that 95% of them rated our curriculum with high satisfaction. Check out their journey!
Made Possible by Our Partners
Testimonial
