What down payment assistance is available in Boston MA?

Boston buyers have access to several DPA programs. MassHousing provides up to $50,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan (Gateway City tier). The Boston Home Center offers up to $20,000 to $30,000 for buyers purchasing within city limits. MassHousing Workforce Advantage extends eligibility up to 135% AMI. The ONE Mortgage program provides a subsidized first mortgage with 3% down and no PMI. Combined, eligible buyers at 80% to 100% AMI can access $50,000 to $80,000 in combined assistance depending on program stacking and income level. The 640 minimum credit score applies to MassHousing programs.

What is the ONE Mortgage program in Massachusetts?

ONE Mortgage is a subsidized first mortgage program offered through the Massachusetts Homeownership Partnership (MHP) and participating lenders. It requires only 3% down, charges a subsidized interest rate, and eliminates private mortgage insurance (PMI) entirely. On a typical $580,000 Boston condo purchase, eliminating PMI saves approximately $320 per month compared to a conventional loan with 3% down. ONE Mortgage is not a DPA program itself, but it is the preferred first mortgage to pair with MassHousing DPA and the Boston Home Center program. Income limits apply at roughly 100% AMI.

What is the MassHousing Down Payment Assistance program?

MassHousing DPA provides up to $50,000 for purchases in Gateway Cities (which includes Boston) and up to $30,000 for all other Massachusetts locations. It is structured as a 0% interest deferred loan, meaning no interest accrues and no monthly payment is required. The balance is due when you sell, refinance, or reach the end of the loan term. Eligibility requires first-time buyer status, a 640 minimum credit score, income at or below 100% AMI (approximately $128,000 for a family of 4 in the Boston area), and a purchase price at or below $843,000 for a 1-unit property in Suffolk County.

What is the Boston Home Center program?

The Boston Home Center is the City of Boston's homebuyer assistance program. It provides up to $20,000 to $30,000 for first-time buyers purchasing within Boston city limits. Income limits are set at 80% AMI (approximately $102,000 for a family of 4). The program is administered by the City of Boston and buyers should contact the Boston Home Center directly at (617) 635-4663 or bostonhomecenter.com to confirm current availability, amounts, and application requirements. Program funding is periodic and may have wait lists.

Can Boston buyers combine DPA programs?

Yes, program stacking is a key strategy in Boston. The primary stack is ONE Mortgage (3% down, no PMI) paired with MassHousing DPA ($50,000 deferred). On a $580,000 condo, this covers the $17,400 down payment and provides roughly $32,600 toward closing costs, resulting in effectively $0 out of pocket for the buyer. Buyers who also qualify for the Boston Home Center program (80% AMI income limit) may be able to add $20,000 to $30,000 on top of MassHousing DPA, for a potential $70,000 to $80,000 combined. Verify stacking eligibility with a MassHousing-approved lender.

What is Boston's Gateway City designation and why does it matter?

Boston is designated as a Gateway City by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This designation increases the MassHousing DPA cap from $30,000 (statewide standard) to $50,000. A buyer who purchases in Boston receives $20,000 more in potential MassHousing assistance than a buyer who purchases in a non-Gateway City suburb. Other Gateway Cities in the Boston metro area include Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, and Brockton. Buyers who are considering Boston versus a non-Gateway City suburb should factor this $20,000 difference into their planning.

What is the FHA loan limit in Boston (Suffolk County)?

The FHA loan limit for Suffolk County is $862,500 in 2026. This is one of the highest FHA limits in the country, reflecting Boston's high cost of living. The limit exceeds the typical first-time buyer condo price range of $500,000 to $700,000, meaning FHA financing is available for the majority of first-time buyer transactions in Boston. VA loans have no loan limit for veterans with full entitlement, which can be an advantage for buyers targeting higher-priced properties.

Do condominiums qualify for Boston DPA programs?

Most first-time buyers in Boston purchase condominiums rather than single-family homes. MassHousing DPA and ONE Mortgage are both available for condos, but the condo association must meet lender approval requirements. FHA financing (which pairs with MassHousing DPA) requires FHA-approved condo projects. Buyers purchasing in non-FHA-approved condo buildings can use conventional financing with MassHousing DPA or explore ONE Mortgage lender approval requirements. Confirm condo project eligibility with your lender before going under contract.

What credit score do I need for Boston DPA programs?

MassHousing DPA and ONE Mortgage require a 640 minimum credit score. Some programs accept 620. The Boston Home Center does not publish a program-specific minimum but lender underwriting standards apply. The practical floor for accessing the primary Boston DPA stack (ONE Mortgage plus MassHousing DPA) is 640. Buyers below 640 should work with a HUD-approved housing counselor before applying.

What is the MassHousing Workforce Advantage program?

MassHousing Workforce Advantage provides up to $30,000 in deferred DPA for buyers who earn too much for the standard MassHousing program. The income limit extends to 135% AMI, compared to 100% AMI for the standard program. In the Boston metro, 135% AMI for a family of 4 is approximately $172,800. This is particularly useful for dual-income households or buyers in professional roles who fall above the standard MassHousing income limit. Verify current product availability and exact limits with a MassHousing-approved lender.

Down Payment Assistance Boston MA 2026 | Up to $50K MassHousing + ONE Mortgage

Last updated: April 2026 · Program availability changes frequently

Down Payment Assistance in Boston: Overview

Boston buyers at 80% AMI or below have access to a combination of programs that can deliver $50,000 to $75,000 in assistance on top of one of the most aggressively subsidized first mortgage programs in the country. MassHousing's ONE Mortgage requires only 3% down and eliminates private mortgage insurance entirely. MassHousing DPA then provides up to $50,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan. The opportunity exists. Most buyers do not know where to look.

The numbers are concrete. On a $580,000 condo purchase, which is typical for a first-time buyer in Boston, ONE Mortgage requires $17,400 down. MassHousing DPA covers that $17,400 and provides an additional $32,600 toward closing costs. The effective cash from the buyer at closing: $0, with a buffer. That is not a marketing claim. That is arithmetic.

Boston's Gateway City designation is the mechanism that makes this possible. MassHousing caps DPA at $30,000 statewide. Boston, as a designated Gateway City, qualifies for the $50,000 tier. A buyer who purchases in a non-Gateway City suburb loses $20,000 in MassHousing eligibility. That difference is significant enough to factor into where buyers choose to look. Other Gateway Cities in the region include Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, and Brockton.

The Boston Home Center, the city's own homebuyer assistance office, adds another layer for buyers purchasing within city limits. The program provides up to $20,000 to $30,000 in additional assistance for buyers at or below 80% AMI. Stacked on top of MassHousing DPA, the combined potential reaches $70,000 to $80,000. Confirm current stacking rules and funding availability with a MassHousing-approved lender before planning around the full combined amount.

Quick Answer

Yes. Boston has substantial DPA availability. MassHousing provides up to $50,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan (Gateway City tier). The Boston Home Center adds $20,000 to $30,000 for buyers at 80% AMI purchasing within city limits. MassHousing Workforce Advantage extends eligibility to 135% AMI for buyers who earn too much for the standard program.

The primary strategy for most first-time buyers in Boston is ONE Mortgage (3% down, no PMI) paired with MassHousing DPA ($50,000 deferred). This combination effectively eliminates the down payment on purchases up to roughly $1.67 million in theoretical terms, though the $843,000 purchase price limit applies for the DPA itself.

Minimum credit score: 640 for MassHousing programs. Income limit for standard MassHousing DPA: 100% AMI (approximately $128,000 for a family of 4 in the Boston area). First-time buyer status required for MassHousing DPA and ONE Mortgage.

Boston Market Context: Condos, Gateway Cities, and ONE Mortgage

The Condo Market Reality

Most first-time buyers in Boston purchase condominiums, not single-family homes. Single-family homes in Boston proper are rare and typically priced well above $800,000. The realistic entry point for a first-time buyer is a 1- or 2-bedroom condo in neighborhoods like Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, East Boston, Roxbury, Mattapan, Hyde Park, or Roslindale, where prices range from $350,000 to $650,000.

MassHousing DPA and ONE Mortgage are both available for condominiums. The condo association must meet lender approval requirements, and FHA-financed purchases require FHA-approved condo projects. Confirm project eligibility with your lender before going under contract. A condo in a non-FHA-approved building can still qualify through conventional financing with MassHousing DPA.

Gateway City Status: The $20,000 Difference

Boston is a designated Gateway City. Under MassHousing's program, Gateway Cities qualify for up to $50,000 in DPA versus $30,000 for all other Massachusetts locations. This is not a minor distinction. A buyer purchasing in Needham, Lexington, or another well-regarded suburb that is not a Gateway City receives $20,000 less in MassHousing assistance than a buyer purchasing in Boston proper.

For buyers comparing Boston to nearby suburbs, this $20,000 difference should be explicitly factored into the total cost of each option. A slightly lower purchase price in a non-Gateway City suburb can be partially or fully offset by the loss of the higher DPA tier.

ONE Mortgage: The PMI Elimination Advantage

ONE Mortgage is administered by the Massachusetts Homeownership Partnership (MHP) and offered through participating lenders. It is not a DPA program. It is a first mortgage with a subsidized rate and no PMI requirement, regardless of down payment amount. On a $580,000 purchase with 3% down, a conventional loan would typically carry $250 to $400 per month in PMI. ONE Mortgage eliminates that entirely.

Over the first five years of the loan, that PMI savings accumulates to $15,000 to $24,000. Combined with the MassHousing DPA, ONE Mortgage is the anchor of the most effective Boston buyer strategy for income-qualifying households. Find ONE Mortgage lenders through mhp.net.

How DPA Programs Work in Boston

Deferred Loans (0% Interest)

MassHousing DPA is a 0% interest deferred loan. No monthly payment is required. No interest accrues. The balance is due when you sell, refinance, or the loan term ends. For buyers who stay in the home long term, the deferred structure means $50,000 in assistance that costs nothing to carry while they live there. Selling early triggers repayment of the original principal only, since no interest has accumulated.

City Grants and Deferred Loans

The Boston Home Center program structure varies based on current funding and program terms. It has operated as both a deferred loan and a grant in different funding cycles. Contact the Boston Home Center directly at (617) 635-4663 to confirm the current structure, available amounts, and wait list status. Do not assume grant treatment without verifying with the city directly.

First Mortgage Subsidies

ONE Mortgage is a subsidized first mortgage, not a DPA second lien. Its advantage is rate subsidy and PMI elimination. It requires only 3% down and provides a below-market interest rate for qualifying households. The 3% down payment on most Boston condo purchases can be fully covered by MassHousing DPA, making ONE Mortgage the vehicle that converts $50,000 in DPA into an effective $0 down transaction.

Program Stacking

The primary confirmed stack in Boston is ONE Mortgage (first mortgage) plus MassHousing DPA (second lien, $50,000 deferred). The Boston Home Center program may be layered on top for buyers at 80% AMI, though confirm stacking with both the city and your lender. MassHousing Workforce Advantage serves buyers above 100% AMI who do not qualify for the standard MassHousing DPA.

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This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. Program availability, terms, and eligibility requirements change frequently. All program details should be verified directly with the administering agency or an approved lender before making financial decisions. DownPaymentScout is an independent resource and is not affiliated with any government agency or lending institution. Information is believed accurate as of the date shown but is not guaranteed. Last updated April 2026. Program availability changes frequently.

Down Payment Assistance in Boston, Massachusetts