Updated 1/22/2026

These programs can only be handled by approved lenders. If you would like help from a local realtor familiar with the programs and lenders, fill out this form here and I will connect you with one.

I've included all of the links and contact info needed to do this on your own, the form is meant to make it easier.

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How Down Payment Assistance Works

I need to give a quick overview of how down payment assistance works. After that, the programs are listed.

With down payment assistance, you'll run into two different types:

• A grant
• A loan

A Grant

If we meet the qualifications up front, then it's money that does not need to be repaid.

A Loan

If the down payment assistance comes in the form of a loan, then pay attention to the three different types:

• Repayable
• Deferred
• Forgivable

Repayable is just as most imagine. It charges interest over a certain amount of time, with monthly payments until it's paid off.

Deferred loans usually don't require a monthly payment, and typically don't charge interest. It's due in full when you refinance, sell the home, or when it ceases to be your primary residence.

Forgivable loans will disappear if you meet the criteria, which usually comes down to keeping the home as your primary residence for a specific amount of time.

Okay with that, here are the programs!

Massachusetts

MassHousing Down Payment Assistance Program

• What It Offers: Provides up to $50,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers purchasing in targeted areas with a credit score of at least 640.
• Income Limits: Varies by county and household size.
• Repayment: 0% interest loan, repayable upon sale or refinance.
• Website: https://www.masshousing.com/en/home-ownership/homebuyers/down-payment-assistance

Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) ONE Mortgage Program

• What It Offers: Provides low-interest first mortgages with no private mortgage insurance (PMI) and down payment assistance.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers who complete a homebuyer education course.
• Income Limits: Based on area median income (AMI).
• Repayment: Some programs offer forgivable loans, while others require repayment over time.
• Website: https://www.mhp.net/one-mortgage

MassDREAMS (Grant Program)

• Status: Note: This highly popular grant program has fully expended its funds as of late 2024. Buyers should check the website periodically for any new funding rounds.
• Website: https://www.masshousing.com/en/home-ownership/homebuyers/massdreams

Boston Home Center Down Payment Assistance Program

• What It Offers: Provides up to $50,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for homebuyers purchasing in Boston.
• Who Qualifies: First-time homebuyers purchasing a primary residence.
• Income Limits: Varies by household size and location.
• Repayment: Forgivable loan after 10 years if the buyer remains in the home.
• Website: https://www.boston.gov/departments/housing/first-time-homebuyer-program

Springfield

• Assistance: Provides up to $35,000 (previously $4,000) for down payment and closing costs.
• Eligibility: First-time buyers with household income at or below 80% AMI purchasing within the city.
• Repayment: 0% interest loan, forgivable over 5 to 10 years depending on the loan amount.
• https://www.springfield-ma.gov/housing/home-buyer

Fall River

• Assistance: Provides up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs.
• Terms: The program's website doesn't explicitly outline the assistance type or repayment terms (grant vs. loan).
• Eligibility: Income-eligible first-time buyers purchasing within Fall River.
• https://www.fallriverma.gov/business/community_development_agency/programs/homebuyer.php

City of Worcester

• Program: Provides up to $25,000 for down payment and closing costs to eligible first-time homebuyers.
• Terms: The program's website doesn't explicitly outline the assistance type or repayment terms (grant vs. loan).
• More Information: https://www.worcesterma.gov/housing-neighborhood-development/housing-neighborhood-grants

City of New Bedford

• Program: "Neighborhoods First" First Time Homebuyer Program offers down payment and closing cost assistance, rehabilitation assistance, and gap financing.
• Assistance: Provides up to $10,000 (ARPA-enhanced tier reaches $25,000, or $35,000 for city workers) for down payment and closing costs.
• Terms: Forgivable loan — forgiven after 10 years of owner-occupancy (0% interest deferred second mortgage).
• More Information: https://www.newbedford-ma.gov/community-development/loans-grants/homeownership/

Town of Plymouth

• Program: Assists low- to moderate-income, first-time homebuyers in purchasing a modest single-family home in Plymouth.
• Assistance: Provides up to $15,000 for down payment and closing costs.
• Terms: Deferred loan — no monthly payments; repaid when you sell, refinance, or it is no longer your primary residence (0% interest).
• More Information: https://www.plymouth-ma.gov/257/Down-Payment-Assistance-Program

City of Lawrence

• Program: Provides down payment assistance to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers.
• Assistance: Provides up to $25,000 (up to 5% of purchase price) for down payment and closing costs.
• Terms: Forgivable loan — forgiven over 5 years for awards under $14,999 or over 10 years for awards of $15,000–$25,000 (0% interest).
• More Information: https://www.cityoflawrence.com/351/Programs-for-Homeowners-First-Time-Home-#

City of Lowell

• Program: Offers assistance for down payment and closing costs to eligible first-time homebuyers.
• Terms: The program's website doesn't explicitly outline the assistance type or repayment terms (grant vs. loan).
• Assistance: Provides up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs.
• More Information: https://www.lowellma.gov/803/First-Time-Home-Buyers-Program

City of Quincy

• Program: Offers financial assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers for down payment and closing costs.
• Assistance: Provides up to $40,000 (via the South Shore HOME Consortium) for down payment and closing costs.
• Terms: Deferred loan — no monthly payments; repaid when you sell, refinance, or take a home equity loan (0% interest).
• More Information: https://www.quincyma.gov/departments/planning_and_community_development/community_development/programs.php#collapse34630b0

City of Somerville

• Program: Provides down payment assistance to income-eligible first-time homebuyers.
• Terms: The program's website doesn't explicitly outline the assistance type or repayment terms (grant vs. loan).
• More Information: https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/affordable-housing-trust-fund

City of Lynn

• Program: Offers down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers purchasing in Lynn.
• Terms: The program's website doesn't explicitly outline the assistance type or repayment terms (grant vs. loan).
• Assistance: Provides up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs.
• More Information: https://lhand.org/program/home-ownership/

City of Haverhill

• Program: Provides financial assistance for down payment and closing costs to eligible first-time homebuyers.
• Terms: The program's website doesn't explicitly outline the assistance type or repayment terms (grant vs. loan).
• Assistance: Provides up to $15,000 in targeted neighborhoods (general tier up to $7,500) for down payment and closing costs.
• More Information: https://www.haverhillma.gov/living-here/housing-rehab/community-development-department/first-time-homebuyer-assistance-program/

City of Chelsea

• Program: Offers down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers meeting income requirements.
• Assistance: Provides up to $10,000 (via the North Suburban Consortium) for down payment and closing costs.
• Terms: Forgivable loan — forgiven over 5 years of owner-occupancy (0% interest, 20% forgiven per year).
• More Information: https://www.chelseama.gov/departments/housing_and_community_development/housing/first_time_homebuyer_down_payment_assistance_program.php

City of Everett

• Program: Provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers.
• Assistance: Provides up to $10,000 (via the North Suburban Consortium) for down payment and closing costs.
• Terms: Forgivable loan — forgiven over 5 years of owner-occupancy (0% interest, 20% forgiven per year).
• More Information: https://cityofeverett.com/document/city-of-everett-first-time-homebuyer-down-payment-assistance-program/

City of Malden

• Program: Provides financial assistance for down payment and closing costs to first-time homebuyers.
• Assistance: Provides up to $10,000 (or $5,000 for HOME-subsidized property; via North Suburban Consortium / Malden Redevelopment Authority) for down payment and closing costs.
• Terms: Forgivable loan — forgiven over 5 years of owner-occupancy (0% interest, 20% forgiven per year).
• More Information: Malden Redevelopment Authority
• https://www.cityofmalden.org/867/HOME-Program

City of Medford

• Program: Offers down payment assistance to income-eligible first-time homebuyers.
• Assistance: Provides up to $10,000 (or $5,000 for HOME-subsidized property; via the North Suburban Consortium) for down payment and closing costs.
• Terms: Forgivable loan — forgiven over 5 years of owner-occupancy (0% interest, 20% forgiven per year).
• More Information: Medford Office of Community Development
• https://www.medfordma.org/departments/planning-development-sustainability/move-in-program-information#

Updated 1/22/2026

These programs can only be handled by approved lenders. If you would like help from a local realtor familiar with the programs and lenders, fill out this form here and I will connect you with one.

I've included all of the links and contact info needed to do this on your own, the form is meant to make it easier.