In Massachusetts, the state’s down payment help comes as deferred loans rather than grants — but the City of Boston offers a genuine grant of up to $50,000, one of the most generous city grants in the country.
This guide covers what actually counts as grant money for first-time buyers in Massachusetts in 2026 — the help that does not have to be repaid, the truth about the federal grant everyone asks about, and how to find and qualify for it.
Are there really first-time home buyer grants in Massachusetts?
Here is the honest answer most sites skip: a true grant is money you never repay, but the majority of what gets marketed as a “first-time home buyer grant” is actually a forgivable loan — a second mortgage that is written off over time as long as you stay in the home. The practical difference is small if you plan to stay put, but it matters if you might sell or refinance early. MassHousing structures its statewide help as deferred and repayable seconds, not grants, but Boston and some other localities offer real grant money on top.
For the full difference between grants, forgivable seconds, and deferred loans, our national guide to down payment assistance breaks it down.
Massachusetts grant and forgivable-money programs
Here is the grant and grant-equivalent money available in Massachusetts:
- City of Boston Down Payment Grant — a true grant of up to $50,000 (3% of the price for households under 100% of area median income; 2% up to $35,000 for 101–135%) for Boston buyers with assets under $100,000
- MassHousing Down Payment Assistance — a deferred second of up to $30,000 statewide (0% interest, no monthly payment) — not a grant, but no ongoing cost
- MassDREAM — interest-free deferred down payment assistance, expanded statewide in 2025
This page focuses on the no-repay and forgivable money. For the full menu — including deferred loans, below-market mortgages, and the Mortgage Credit Certificate — see our complete guide to Massachusetts first-time home buyer programs.
The $25,000 first-time buyer grant — is it real?
You have probably seen ads for a “$25,000 first-time home buyer grant” or a “$15,000 first-time buyer tax credit.” Here is the truth as of 2026: both come from proposed federal bills (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act and the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act) that have not become law. No one can give you that $25,000 federal grant today, in Massachusetts or anywhere else, because it does not exist yet — so be cautious with any site or “lender” that promises it. We track the real status on our explainer of the $25,000 first-time home buyer grant. The good news: the Massachusetts programs above are real, available now, and often just as valuable.
How to qualify for a grant in Massachusetts
Grant and forgivable programs in Massachusetts share a familiar set of rules:
- Income limits. Income limits are set by program and area; the Boston grant caps at 135% of area median income.
- First-time status. Most programs (Boston’s grant, ONE Mortgage, MassDREAM) require first-time status.
- Homebuyer education. Nearly every grant program requires a short course, usually free and often online.
- A participating lender. Grants are delivered through approved lenders, not the agency directly, so ask which programs a lender offers — and check our guide to credit score requirements to be sure you qualify for the underlying loan.
- Primary residence. The home must be the one you live in, not an investment property.
How to find down payment grants in Massachusetts
If you are buying in Boston, the city’s grant plus its ONE+Boston discounted mortgage is the strongest combination in the state — see our Boston guide for the details.
Several Massachusetts cities also run their own grant and forgivable programs on top of the state help — see our city guides for Boston.
And before you count on any figure, remember that grant funding runs in cycles and can be exhausted, so always confirm current availability with the program. Our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of your purchase on track.
Massachusetts first-time buyer grants FAQ
Do first-time home buyer grants in Massachusetts have to be repaid?
It depends. The City of Boston down payment grant (up to $50,000) is a true grant — no repayment. MassHousing’s statewide help (up to $30,000) is a deferred second mortgage you eventually repay, though with no monthly payment. Massachusetts also does not offer a statewide Mortgage Credit Certificate, so the Boston grant is the standout no-repay option.
Is there a $25,000 grant for first-time buyers in Massachusetts?
Not currently. The $25,000 figure comes from a proposed federal bill (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act) that has not become law, so it is not available in Massachusetts or any state today. What is available are Massachusetts’s real grant and forgivable programs described above, plus the statewide options in our Massachusetts programs guide.
Who qualifies for down payment grants in Massachusetts?
Most programs (Boston’s grant, ONE Mortgage, MassDREAM) require first-time status. Income limits are set by program and area; the Boston grant caps at 135% of area median income. You will also complete a homebuyer education course and use a participating lender.
Can I get a $50,000 grant to buy in Boston?
Yes — the City of Boston offers a down payment grant of up to $50,000 (3% of the price for households under 100% of area median income, capped at $50,000; 2% up to $35,000 for 101–135%). It is a true grant with no repayment, for first-time buyers with assets under $100,000 buying in the city. It can be paired with the ONE+Boston discounted mortgage. Confirm current income figures with the Boston Home Center.