Down payment assistance in Massachusetts
Massachusetts's primary statewide down payment assistance program, run by MassHousing. Numbers and eligibility reflect the program's published 2025 guidelines.
MassHousing Down Payment Assistance
Second mortgage- Maximum assistance
- Up to $30,000 (Boston, Chelsea, etc.) or up to 10% statewide
- Income limit
- Up to $208,860 (gateway cities); varies by county
- Home price limit
- Up to $743,750
- First-time buyer
- Preferred (some products)
- Eligible loan types
- FHA, Conventional
- •DPA is a 15-year second mortgage at 2% interest, payment included in DTI.
- •Higher caps in 26 designated gateway cities.
How Massachusetts DPA fits into your purchase
Down payment assistance reduces the cash you need at the closing table. Massachusetts's MassHousing Down Payment Assistance pairs with the standard FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional first mortgage from a participating lender; the DPA flows through the same closing.
Two things to budget for: most state DPA requires a homebuyer-education course (typically online, 6-8 hours, ~$75) and you usually have to use a lender on the agency's approved list. The agency keeps the list public on its website.
Common questions
Massachusetts's primary statewide DPA is MassHousing Down Payment Assistance from MassHousing. Up to $30,000 (Boston, Chelsea, etc.) or up to 10% statewide. Many Massachusetts cities and counties also run additional DPA layered on top.
Some product variants are first-time-buyer only; others are open to repeat buyers. Check the agency page for the current matrix.
Yes. MassHousing Down Payment Assistance works with these loan types: FHA, Conventional. The DPA is layered behind your first mortgage as a separate lien (or grant), and both close together.
Yes. A second-mortgage DPA has a monthly payment, and that payment is included in your debt-to-income ratio when the lender qualifies you.
Deferred and second-mortgage DPAs are generally repaid in full when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.