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…