In Boston, saving the cash for a down payment and closing costs is usually a bigger obstacle than affording the monthly mortgage payment.
The Boston Home Center offers up to $50,000 in assistance, while ONE+Boston and statewide programs provide extra options for eligible buyers.
Check Your Massachusetts Home Purchase Eligibility
Knowing the 2026 income and residency rules will help you choose the right grant or loan and apply before making an offer.
What Boston Offers First-Time Buyers Right Now
The Boston First-Time Homebuyer Program is open under terms the city updated October 16, 2026, ONE+Boston is available for current Boston residents, and MassHousing's statewide down payment assistance works inside Boston. Several older or neighborhood programs either have closed or need their current status confirmed with the Boston Home Center.
| Program | Status in 2026 | Who it is for | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston First-Time Homebuyer Program | Open (terms updated Oct. 16, 2026) | First-time buyers under 135% AMI buying in Boston | Up to $50,000 or $35,000 toward down payment and closing costs |
| ONE+Boston | Available | Current Boston residents at or under 100% AMI | Discounted 30-year fixed ONE Mortgage, no PMI, extra city down payment help |
| MHP ONE Mortgage | Available | First-time buyers at or under 100% AMI, including non-residents | Below-benchmark 30-year fixed rate, 3% down, no PMI |
| MassHousing Workforce Advantage | Available | First-time buyers under the Workforce Advantage limit | $30,000 at 0%, deferred |
| MassHousing $25,000 amortizing DPA | Available | First-time buyers up to 135% AMI | $25,000, 15-year second mortgage with monthly payments |
| Neighborhood, credit and lottery programs | Confirm with the Boston Home Center | Varies | Varies (see Other Boston Programs) |
| MassHousing 0% $25,000 offer | Closed after July 2, 2026 | — | — |
| MassDREAMS | Closed November 2022 | — | — |
The quickest way to sort these out is by your address and income today. Current Boston residents at or under 100% of Area Median Income (AMI) should look at ONE+Boston first, while non-residents and buyers between 101% and 135% AMI will look at the Boston Home Center program paired with a statewide first mortgage.
How Much the Boston Home Center Gives
The city's assistance covers a percentage of the purchase price plus eligible Massachusetts closing costs, with a cap that depends on your household income. The Mayor's Office of Housing administers the funds through the Boston Home Center.
| Buyer | Down payment help | Plus closing costs? | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household income under 100% AMI | Up to 3% of price | Yes, eligible closing costs | Up to $50,000 |
| Household income 101% to 135% AMI | Up to 2% of price | Yes, eligible closing costs | Up to $35,000 |
| Deed-restricted property | Up to 2% of price | Not stated | Confirm with the Boston Home Center |
On a $400,000 home, a buyer under 100% AMI gets up to $12,000 toward the down payment (3% of $400,000) plus eligible closing costs. At 101% to 135% AMI, the down payment portion is up to $8,000 (2% of $400,000) plus eligible closing costs. The $50,000 and $35,000 figures are caps on the total award.
Older City Pages Show Different Numbers
An older boston.gov "Homebuying Support Hub" page (last updated November 12, 2025) still mentions 5% down payment assistance and a $75,000 asset cap, while the First-Time Homebuyer Program page updated October 16, 2026 sets the current terms at 3% and 2% with a $100,000 asset cap. Confirm the current published tiers with the Boston Home Center before you apply.
Grant or Loan: It Depends Where You Live Now
Whether you have to pay the city back depends on where you live when you apply: current Boston residents receive a grant, while non-residents receive a 0% interest deferred loan. Effective September 15, 2026, the non-resident loan is secured by a mortgage and promissory note, has no monthly payments, and comes due when you transfer, refinance, or sell the property.
Non-residents who submitted a complete application along with a signed offer or executed Purchase and Sale Agreement on or before September 14, 2026 were exempt from that rule change. If you currently rent outside Boston, build that repayment into your numbers for a future refinance or sale.
Who Qualifies for the Boston Home Center Program
Both you and the home you buy must meet the Boston Home Center's underwriting rules.
- First-time buyer: You cannot have owned property in the past three years.
- Income: Total household income must be under 135% of AMI (under 100% AMI for the $50,000 tier, and 101% to 135% AMI for the $35,000 tier).
- Assets: Total household assets must be under $100,000, and the city can also deny applicants whose total assets show no demonstrated financial need.
- Property: You must buy a one- to three-family residential property or condominium in the City of Boston as your primary residence.
- Homebuyer class: You must graduate from a CHAPA-approved Homebuying 101 class before you apply.
- Lender: Your first mortgage pre-approval must come from one of the city's participating mortgage lenders.
Is There a Price Limit?
The Boston Home Center does not state a separate city purchase price cap; instead, your first mortgage must follow Fannie Mae general loan limits ($832,750 baseline for a one-unit home in 2026, up to a $1,249,125 high-cost ceiling, and higher for multi-unit homes). Your income, debts, and down payment set your price, so check the Home Affordability Calculator early.
If you are looking at a condo or a two- or three-decker, see how standard financing works in our guides to Condo Loans in Massachusetts and Multifamily Mortgages in Massachusetts.
Check Your Massachusetts Home Purchase Eligibility
ONE+Boston for Current Boston Residents
If you already live in Boston, earn at or under 100% AMI, and are buying in Boston, ONE+Boston is usually the program to check first. It pairs City of Boston down payment funds with the Massachusetts Housing Partnership's (MHP) ONE Mortgage Program in Massachusetts.
MHP rules require any buyer who qualifies for ONE+Boston and buys in Boston to use ONE+Boston rather than another ONE+ program.
What You Get
- Discounted 30-year fixed rate: Participating lenders must price the ONE Mortgage below a market benchmark with no points charged to the borrower, and ONE+Boston adds an extra rate discount on top.
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI): You never pay monthly PMI, even with 3% down, because a publicly funded loan loss reserve backs the loan in its place.
- Enhanced city down payment help: The City of Boston provides enhanced down payment assistance as part of the package, and eligible buyers may receive additional financial assistance.
- Low down payment: You put down at least 3% on a single-family, condo, or two-family home (at least 1.5% from your own savings), or 5% on a three-family home (at least 3% from your own savings).
Who Qualifies
- Boston resident buying in Boston: You must currently live in Boston and buy in Boston, using a current lease, utility bill, or voter registration as proof.
- First-time buyer: You cannot have owned a home at any point in the past three years.
- Income at or under 100% AMI: Total household income must fall within the published 2026 ONE+Boston limits below.
- Assets under $100,000: Checking, savings, stocks, and bonds count; most retirement accounts (401(k), 403(b), 457, and traditional IRA) and approved college savings plans do not.
- Credit score: You need at least 640 for a single-family home or condo and at least 660 for a two- or three-family property, with nontraditional credit options if you have no credit history.
- Primary residence for the life of the loan: You must live in the property as your primary residence, and if you move out later you are required to refinance out of the ONE Mortgage.
- Education: Complete an approved pre-purchase homebuyer class, plus a multifamily or landlord course or counseling with an approved agency when buying a two- or three-family home.
2026 Boston Income Limits
The Boston Home Center uses 100% and 135% AMI for its two tiers without printing a dollar table on its page, so confirm the exact cutoffs with the Boston Home Center or a participating lender. MHP publishes the 2026 Boston-area 100% AMI limits (updated May 2026) and the 80% AMI interest subsidy threshold.
| Household size | 80% AMI (ONE Mortgage interest subsidy) | 100% AMI (ONE+Boston and ONE Mortgage limit) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $96,000 | $120,000 |
| 2 People | $109,700 | $137,150 |
| 3 People | $123,400 | $154,300 |
| 4 People | $137,100 | $171,400 |
| 5 People | $148,100 | $185,150 |
| 6 People | $159,050 | $198,850 |
| 7 People | $170,050 | $212,550 |
| 8 People | $181,000 | $226,250 |
Income limits update every year, so confirm current figures with MHP or a participating lender before you apply.
How to Apply for Boston Home Center Assistance
The sequence matters because you cannot submit a city application until you have both a Homebuying 101 certificate and a pre-approval from a participating lender.
- Read the program rules and document checklist. Check your household income, countable assets, and the documents you will need to upload.
- Take a CHAPA-approved Homebuying 101 class and keep the certificate. The course covers getting ready for a mortgage, comparing first-time buyer loans, shopping for a home, the legal side, and working with agents and lenders.
- Get pre-approved by a lender on the city's participating lender list. All Boston Home Center assistance and ONE+Boston loans must be financed through a lender on that list. Our team can help you check your eligibility, compare loan options, and get pre-approved.
- Apply online through the city's homebuyer portal. Submit the First-Time Homebuyer Financial Assistance Application at housing.boston.gov and upload your documents; applications are available in nine languages.
In Boston, Homebuying 101 courses are hosted by the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA), Financial Education Associates, Allston Brighton Community Development, and Urban Edge, with statewide schedules on Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) and MyMassHome.
You can reach the Boston Home Center at 26 Court Street, Boston, MA 02108, by phone at 617-635-4663, or at homecenter@boston.gov. For ONE+Boston questions, MHP is at 1-800-752-7131.
The Boston Home Center also offers optional classes before and after you buy:
- Homebuying 100, a 90-minute overview for people just starting to explore buying
- A "What's Next" session for Homebuying 101 graduates covering credit checks, income calculations, and choosing a mortgage and lender
- Free Center for Working Families workshops on financial readiness
- Homeowner 201 and Condo Owner 202 after you buy, which can qualify you for a property insurance discount
Other Boston Programs (Confirm Before You Count on Them)
The city's Homebuying Support Hub page was last updated November 12, 2025, so confirm 2026 funding and open status with the Boston Home Center or the administering agency before building your budget around any of these.
- Allston/Brighton Homeownership Program: Up to $50,000 in down payment and closing cost help for income-eligible first-time buyers purchasing in Allston or Brighton.
- Neighborhood Homes Initiative: New homes from pre-approved designs priced $250,000 to $400,000 for households earning $60,000 to $100,000 (within 100% AMI). First-time buyer, class, pre-approval, household size, and savings rules apply.
- First Generation Homeownership Program (STASH First-Gen Home): MAHA's 8-topic seminar for first-generation buyers at or under 100% AMI (minimum income $45,000). Being "mortgage-ready" requires 640+ credit, fewer than two adverse credit issues, and $3,000 to $75,000 in savings.
- Credit Boost Program (Urban Edge): Up to $5,000 to help raise your credit score for better mortgage terms, paired with the Urban Edge Credit Counseling Boot Camp.
- Affordable home lotteries and resales: Lotteries for newly built affordable homes and deed-restricted resales listed on Metrolist and MyMassHome; deed-restricted purchases can get up to 2% down payment help from the city program.
Statewide Help You Can Add in Boston
MassHousing's down payment assistance and MHP's standard ONE Mortgage both work inside Boston, and MassHousing states its DPA can be combined with many local first-time buyer programs. Ask your lender whether city funds can be layered, and see our Massachusetts First-Time Homebuyer Grants and Programs guide for more.
MassHousing Down Payment Assistance
Eligible first-time buyers purchasing a 1- to 4-family home or condo as a primary residence can apply for MassHousing Down Payment Assistance through a MassHousing-approved lender. Both tiers require a 640 minimum credit score, a homebuyer education class, and a MassHousing first mortgage:
- Workforce Advantage (up to $30,000): A 0% interest, deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments, due only when you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.
- Standard Amortizing DPA (up to $25,000): A 15-year fixed-rate second mortgage with monthly payments for first-time buyers up to 135% AMI; confirm current terms with a MassHousing-approved lender.
In Boston, 2026 Workforce Advantage income limits are $72,000 (1 person), $82,320 (2 people), $92,580 (3 people), and $102,840 (4 people), and 2- to 4-unit purchases require landlord counseling. For the amortizing loan in Suffolk County (locks on or after June 15, 2026), limits are $124,000 (80% AMI) and $209,250 (135% AMI).
MassHousing's temporary 0% $25,000 offer stopped taking rate locks after July 2, 2026 (returning to the 15-year amortizing loan on July 6, 2026), and the 2022 MassDREAMS grant closed in November 2022.
MHP ONE Mortgage If You Don't Live in Boston Yet
Non-residents cannot use ONE+Boston, but if your household income is at or under 100% AMI and your countable assets are under $100,000, you can still use the standard MHP ONE Mortgage in Boston. It gives you a below-benchmark 30-year fixed rate, 3% down (5% on a three-family), and no PMI.
Buyers at or under 80% AMI purchasing a single-family, condo, or two-family with no more than 20% down may also get a publicly funded interest subsidy. That subsidy lowers the monthly payment in years 1 through 4 and phases out in years 5 through 8.
If you currently live in one of MHP's 28 other ONE+ communities and are buying outside Boston, the ONE+ program offers a permanent rate discount plus up to $50,000 in down payment and closing cost help, a figure from program partner the Boston Foundation—confirm current amounts with a participating ONE+ lender.
Which Path Fits You
- Boston resident at or under 100% AMI: Start with ONE+Boston for the extra rate discount, no PMI, and city down payment funds; as a current resident, any standard Boston Home Center help comes as a grant rather than a loan.
- Not yet a Boston resident: Boston Home Center funds are a 0% deferred loan you repay on sale, transfer, or refinance, so compare a standard ONE Mortgage or a MassHousing loan with MassHousing DPA and ask whether the city loan can be layered.
- Income between 101% and 135% AMI: Look at the Boston Home Center's 2% tier (up to $35,000) and, if you need more cash to close, MassHousing's $25,000 amortizing second mortgage, which adds a monthly payment.
Start by checking your household income and countable assets against the $100,000 cap, sign up for a CHAPA-approved Homebuying 101 class early, and get pre-approved.
You apply for Boston Home Center, ONE+Boston, and MassHousing assistance through a participating lender on their lists. Our team at Make Massachusetts Your Home can check your purchase eligibility with no hard credit pull, compare loan options across multiple wholesale lenders, and get you pre-approved in 1 to 3 business days once your documents are in.
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