Owning a home in Massachusetts is a goal for many, whether it’s living in the heart of Boston, settling near the universities in Cambridge, or choosing a quieter town along the coast or inland. For a lot of buyers, the real challenge isn’t affording the monthly mortgage once they move in, but saving enough for the down payment to get started.
That’s where Massachusetts down payment assistance (DPA) programs come in. Designed to support first-time and sometimes eligible repeat buyers, these programs help reduce upfront costs through options like grants, forgivable loans, and affordable second mortgages.
This guide highlights some of the most impactful statewide, county, and city-level programs currently available. While it does not cover every local option, it focuses on those that are well-funded, accessible, and beneficial to buyers. We’ll continue to update this page as programs evolve.
Statewide Down Payment Assistance Programs
Massachusetts offers several programs available everywhere in the state. Here are the most impactful ones:
MassHousing Down Payment Assistance Program
The MassHousing Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $30,000 to first-time homebuyers across Massachusetts when combined with a MassHousing first mortgage. One option is a 0% deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments that becomes due when the home is sold or refinanced or when the first mortgage is paid off. Other options provide up to $25,000 through a 15-year second mortgage with monthly payments and a 2% or 3% interest rate.
An approved lender determines which assistance option applies.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers meeting program income and purchase-price limits, purchasing a single-family home, condo, or 2–4 family primary residence with a MassHousing mortgage.
MHP ONE Mortgage Program
The ONE Mortgage, offered statewide through the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, provides a low fixed interest rate and does not require private mortgage insurance. The minimum down payment is 3% for a condo, single-family home, or two-family home and 5% for a three-family home. The related ONE+ program may provide up to $50,000 in down payment assistance and additional interest-rate benefits to current residents of 29 designated communities.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers who complete a homebuyer class and earn within the applicable income limits. The minimum credit score is 640 for a condo or single-family home and 660 for a two- or three-family home. ONE+ applicants must also meet that program’s community-residency requirements.
Operation Welcome Home (for Veterans)
Operation Welcome Home is designed for National Guard and Reserve members, active-duty service members, veterans, and Gold Star Families. It provides a closing cost credit of up to $2,500 and flexible mortgage terms through MassHousing.
Eligibility: National Guard and Reserve members, active-duty military, veterans, and Gold Star Families purchasing a primary residence with a MassHousing loan.
MAHA STASH First-Generation Homebuyer Program
The Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance’s STASH program combines homebuyer education and matched savings with grants of up to $20,000 for purchases outside Boston. The standard Boston grant is $10,000, although it may be higher in certain circumstances.
Eligibility: First-time buyers who meet the program’s first-generation homebuyer requirements, earn no more than 100% of AMI, have a minimum credit score of 640, and complete the required education. Minimum income is $45,000 outside Boston and $60,000 in Boston, and household assets must generally be between $2,000 and $100,000.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by County
Some counties and regional groups administer DPA funds collectively. Here are standout programs:
North Suburban HOME Consortium
Led by Malden, the North Suburban HOME Consortium covers Arlington, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Revere, and Winthrop. Eligible first-time homebuyers can receive up to $10,000 as a 0%-interest loan with no monthly payments, forgiven over five years.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers earning ≤80% AMI, purchasing an eligible property in one of the member communities.
South Shore HOME Consortium
The South Shore HOME Consortium covers towns including Braintree, Quincy, Randolph, and Weymouth. Eligible first-time buyers can receive up to $40,000 in down payment and closing cost help. The assistance is in the form of a deferred payment loan that becomes due upon the transfer or sale of the property, refinancing of the home, or when it is not used as the borrower's primary residence.
Eligibility: First-time buyers with household income at or below 80% AMI, and the buyer cannot have assets over $75,000.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by City
Many of Massachusetts’ larger cities offer their own programs. Here are some of the strongest:
Boston First-Time Homebuyer Financial Assistance
Boston’s Program provides grants equal to up to 3% of the purchase price, capped at $50,000, for first-time buyers earning less than 100% AMI. Buyers earning 101–135% AMI may receive up to 2% of the purchase price, capped at $35,000.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers with incomes less than 135% AMI, less than $100,000 in assets, and completion of a city-approved homebuyer class.
Cambridge Downpayment Assistance
Cambridge’s DPA offers up to $10,000 as a 0%-interest loan that is forgiven at 20% per year over five years, provided the property remains the buyer’s primary residence.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers earning within the city’s income limits (up to 80% AMI), purchasing a home in Cambridge and completing a homebuyer education program.
Springfield Down Payment Assistance
Springfield’s DPA provides $7,500 through a 0%-interest deferred loan. No portion is forgiven during the first five years. Beginning in year six, 20% is forgiven annually, so the loan is fully forgiven after 10 years if the buyer continues to occupy the home as a primary residence.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers earning ≤80% AMI, contributing at least 1% of the purchase price, and completing a HUD-approved class.
New Bedford “Neighborhoods First”
New Bedford’s Program provides assistance equal to 5% of the purchase price, up to $10,000, through a 0%-interest deferred loan forgiven after 10 years, with potential gap financing up to $30,000. An enhanced program provides a need-based grant of up to $25,000, including help buying down the mortgage rate, plus an additional $10,000 for eligible city, school, police, and fire employees.
Eligibility: First-time buyers earning ≤80% AMI for the base program, or up to 120% AMI for the enhanced program, purchasing a home in New Bedford and contributing at least 1% of the price. Enhanced-program buyers must also be current New Bedford residents and keep the property as their primary residence for five years.
Haverhill First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program
Haverhill’s program provides up to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs through a 0%-interest subordinate loan secured by a five-year note and mortgage. Twenty percent of the assistance is forgiven each year. The program targets selected streets in the Mount Washington and Lower Acre neighborhoods, with nearby properties considered at the city’s discretion.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers who complete homebuyer education, contribute at least 1.5% of the purchase price, obtain a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, and occupy the property as their primary residence.
Fall River First-Time Homebuyer Program
Fall River’s program provides up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance through a 1%-interest deferred loan. The loan converts to a grant after the required term if the buyer meets the program conditions.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers who meet income limits, purchase a primary residence in Fall River, have a credit score of at least 650, complete homebuyer education, and contribute at least 1.5% of the purchase price.
Lynn Down Payment Assistance
The Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development offers $10,000 in down payment assistance. Buyers should contact LHAND directly for current eligibility requirements and loan terms.
Eligibility: Requirements are determined by LHAND; contact the agency before applying.
Other Down Payment Assistance Programs in Massachusetts
Below are other active programs that weren’t highlighted above but may still be worth exploring.
Statewide Programs
- Federal Home Loan Bank Boston – Equity Builder Program (Available in all New England States)
- Chenoa Fund (Nationwide program available in Massachusetts)
- Federal Home Loan Bank Boston – Housing Our Workforce
- Federal Home Loan Bank Boston – Lift Up Homeownership
City Programs
- Worcester Down Payment Assistance
- Lawrence First-Time Homebuyer Program
- Lowell First-Time Homebuyer Program
- Somerville Closing Cost & Down Payment Assistance Programs
- Brockton First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
- Taunton Homebuyer Assistance
- Holyoke Borrower’s Assistance Program
- Chicopee First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
- Gloucester First-Time Homebuyer Program
- Salem First-Time Homebuyer Program
- Plymouth Down Payment Assistance Program
- Westfield First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
Tribal Programs
What Is AMI?
As you read the list of Massachusetts down payment assistance programs, you likely noticed many reference AMI limits. AMI stands for area median income and is a common metric that DPA programs use to ensure assistance is being provided to homebuyers who need it most.
For example, the Boston First-Time Homebuyer Financial Assistance program allows applicants to earn as much as 135% of AMI.
You can search for current area median income by property address using the Fannie Mae AMI Lookup tool.
Using Down Payment Assistance in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the path to homeownership can look very different depending on where you buy, whether it is a condo in Boston, a house in the suburbs, or a property in a Gateway City like Springfield. To help with the upfront costs, the state and many local communities provide down payment assistance programs that can ease the financial strain of buying.
As you explore your options, take time to review mortgage rates and use our loan calculators to see how different forms of assistance could fit into your budget.
Check with the organization directly for the most recent guidelines. While programs were fact-checked at the time of writing, requirements change often, and programs become unavailable when funds are exhausted.
