Grant Directory

Verified government funding opportunities

Down Payment Assistance up to $30,000

Open

MassHousingMAFirst-Time Homeowner

Funding: Provides up to 30000 dollars in down payment assistance as a second mortgage when combined with a MassHousing first loan, including a zero percent deferred option up to 30000 dollars with no monthly payments until payoff, sale or refinance and additional options that offer up to 25000 dollars as 15 year amortizing second mortgages at fixed 2 or 3 percent interest with modest monthly payments.State housing finance agency second mortgage program that offers structured deferred and amortizing loans layered on top of MassHousing first mortgages to cover a portion of the buyer's down payment and closing costs.RollingDeadline: Scope: Statewidestate

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Summary

MassHousing’s flagship down payment assistance program providing up to $30,000 statewide via structured second mortgages layered on top of MassHousing first loans.

Benefits

down payment assistanceclosing cost assistancesecond mortgagedeferred loanaffordable mortgage

Who Can Apply

homebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyerMassachusetts residentowner-occupant

Eligible Locations

Income eligible first time homebuyers purchasing a one to four unit primary residence in any Massachusetts city or town who pair the assistance with a MassHousing mortgage and meet MassHousing income, purchase price, credit and debt to income guidelines and complete a MassHousing approved homebuyer education class.

Eligibility

Income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing a 1–4 unit primary residence (single-family, condo, or 2–4 family) in Massachusetts who pair the assistance with a MassHousing mortgage and meet program income, purchase price, credit, and DTI guidelines; completion of a MassHousing-approved homebuyer education class is typically required.

Full Description

This page details how MassHousing’s down payment assistance (DPA) program works in practice. Eligible first-time buyers can receive up to $30,000 in DPA in the form of a second mortgage that must be paired with an affordable MassHousing first mortgage. Option 1 offers a 0% interest, deferred-payment loan up to $30,000 with no monthly payments due until the home is sold, the first mortgage is refinanced, or the first loan is paid off. Options 2 and 3 provide up to $25,000 in assistance as 15-year amortizing loans at fixed 2% or 3% interest, with modest monthly payments alongside the primary mortgage. All options are available in every city and town in Massachusetts, subject to income and loan program eligibility, and borrowers work with MassHousing-approved lenders to determine which structure and amount best fit their situation. Combined with agency-required homebuyer education, the program helps first-time buyers bridge the cash-to-close gap while maintaining a sustainable long-term payment structure.

Verification & Details

Status: Open
Source: masshousing.com
Official source → masshousing.com
Apply on official siteUpdated Dec 6, 2025

Recommended Resource

First-Time Homebuyer Starter Pack (2025 Edition)

A complete first-time homebuyer toolkit: 9 checklists, timelines, grant guidance, worksheets + editable Excel/Google Sheet budget & affordability calculator.

first-time homebuyerhomebuyer starter packhome buying checklistbudget templategoogle sheet budgetdown payment assistancehomeownership toolkitdigital downloadPDF workbookaffordability calculator

More statewide programs

Explore additional grants available throughout Massachusetts that complement this opportunity.

MassHousingMAFirst-Time HomeownerState housing finance agency platform that delivers affordable 30 year fixed rate MassHousing mortgages through participating lenders and allows eligible buyers to add agency backed down payment assistance up to 30000 dollars to reduce cash needed at closing.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Statewide MassHousing homebuyer portal offering affordable fixed-rate mortgages, down payment assistance, and homebuyer education to first-time and modest-income buyers across Massachusetts.

Eligible for: Households with modest incomes purchasing a 1–4 unit primary residence (single-family, condo, or 2–4 family) anywhere in Massachusetts who m…

Funding: MassHousing mortgages can be combined with down payment assistance of up to 30000 dollars statewide to help eligible first time and modest income buyers cover down payment and closing costs while keeping monthly payments affordable.Deadline: Rolling; MassHousing loans and assistance are offered year-round through participating lenders, subject to program funding.RollingStatewidehomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyerMassachusetts residentowner-occupantdown payment assistanceclosing cost assistanceaffordable mortgagehomebuyer educationlow down payment

City of Salem, MA – Department of Planning & Community DevelopmentMAFirst-Time HomeownerCity housing office that uses local, state and federal funds to offer first time homebuyer down payment assistance loans, housing rehabilitation loans and landlord assistance programs alongside broader housing stability resources.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

City of Salem housing resource hub featuring the First-Time Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Loan Program plus rehab, landlord, and housing stability programs for residents.

Funding: The First-Time Homebuyer Downpayment Assistance Loan Program provides down payment assistance loans to income eligible buyers purchasing in Salem, while separate rehab and landlord programs offer financing for owner occupied and investor owned properties; specific loan sizes and terms are defined in individual program guidelines rather than as a single flat grant amount on this overview page.Deadline: Low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers seeking to purchase a primary residence within Salem city limits who can provide required matching funds and meet program income and underwriting guidelines; separate rehab and landlord assistance programs serve income-eligible owners and landlords of 1–7 unit properties.RollingLocalhomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyerhomeownerlandlordSalem residentdown payment assistancerehabilitation loanlandlord assistancehousing stabilityhomebuyer education

Commonwealth of MassachusettsMAFirst-Time HomeownerState supported affordable mortgage program administered by Massachusetts Housing Partnership that provides a 30 year fixed rate first mortgage with low down payment, no private mortgage insurance and built in interest subsidy and in some variants access to additional down payment or closing cost assistance.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

Flagship affordable mortgage program offering first-time buyers a low down payment, below-market fixed rate, no PMI, and built-in interest subsidy to keep payments manageable.

Eligible for: Low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers in Massachusetts who meet MHP income and purchase price limits, complete approved homebuyer e…

Funding: Rather than a flat grant, the program lowers total housing costs through below market interest rates, elimination of private mortgage insurance and, in some cases, layered subsidies and assistance such as ONE plus and ONE plus Boston that together can save borrowers thousands of dollars over the life of the loan and may include targeted down payment or closing cost help.Deadline: Rolling; available through participating ONE Mortgage lenders while program funding and interest-subsidy allocations remain.RollingStatewidehomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerlow-income homebuyerMassachusetts residentlow down paymentno PMIinterest subsidyaffordable mortgagehomebuyer education

Commonwealth of MassachusettsMAFirst-Time HomeownerState information portal describing MassHousing 30 year fixed rate mortgage products delivered through partner lenders with features such as low down payment requirements, competitive interest rates, optional mortgage payment protection and the ability to pair loans with MassHousing down payment assistance up to 30000 dollars.

Updated: Dec 6, 2025

State information page summarizing MassHousing mortgage products: safe, fixed-rate loans with low down payment requirements and optional down payment assistance.

Eligible for: Massachusetts homebuyers with modest incomes who purchase 1–4 unit primary residences in the state, meet MassHousing income and purchase pri…

Funding: The page highlights that MassHousing mortgages can be combined with agency down payment assistance of up to 30000 dollars when paired with an eligible MassHousing first loan, even though the mortgage products themselves do not provide a flat grant amount.Deadline: Rolling; MassHousing loans are available year-round through participating lenders, subject to program terms and funding.RollingStatewidehomebuyerfirst-time homebuyerrepeat homebuyerlow-income homebuyerMassachusetts residentaffordable mortgagelow down paymentdown payment assistancepayment protectionhomebuyer education