Please note: Due to public health concerns regarding COVID-19, please check whether relevant departments in your state and municipality are functioning as normal. 

When buying a home, there are a lot of things to consider—especially if it’s your first time.

We’ve compiled a list of home buyer programs by state which incentivize and assist first-time buyers in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

These programs offer serious benefits, like grants, tax credits, and assistance with down payment and closing costs, to name a few.

Click on the hyperlinks to explore eligibility for programs that can help you reach your goal of home ownership.

Massachusetts programs for first-time home buyers

When exploring home buyer programs by state, Massachusetts has number of options.

Statewide Programs

MassHousing – MassHousing provides a variety of assistance programs for state residents. These include affordable mortgages to moderate-income and low-income buyers, as well as a program that does require mortgage insurance. They also provide up to $2,500 in closing cost assistance to borrowers who have served in the military, through Operation Welcome Home.

Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development – The Department of Housing and Community Development has established the First Time Home Buyer (FTHB) program, which offers resources and learning opportunities to first-time home buyers. The department also promotes the ONE Mortgage Program, which offers a 30-year loan with only 3 percent down and low interest rates.

Massachusetts Housing Consumer Education Centers – With information centers across the state, there are always opportunities to attend educational workshops on home ownership. Prospective buyers are taken through important steps of the buying process, including pre-sale and post-sale aspects of home ownership.

Massachusetts Housing Partnership – Here is another opportunity to pursue the ONE Mortgage Program. Click the Massachusetts Housing Partnership link to see eligibility guidelines, and receive estimations on how much it will cost you to own your first home.

Programs by City and Town

Arlington

To inquire about affordable condominiums for first-time buyers, email Erin Zwirko, Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development, at ezwirko@town.arlington.ma.us

Boston

The Neighborhood Development of Boston offers financial assistance programs, including up to five percent of your new home’s purchase price toward a down payment, as well as closing costs on condominiums and closing costs for condominiums, as well as one-to-two unit properties. In addition, they offer deferred payments, and other incentives for first-time home buyers in Boston.

Cambridge

The Cambridge Community Development Department offers a range of classes and counseling to prospective buyers, including workshops specifically geared toward first-timers. They connect buyers with down payment assistance and mortgage products that are affordable.

Easton

The Town of Easton’s Affordable Housing Trust offers the Easton Homebuyer Assistance Program to assist moderate-income home buyers.

Fall River

Fall River makes a range of options available to people new to the housing market, including the Neighborhood’s First First-Time Homebuyer program, among others. The city also offers resources through their Buy Fall River Now resource portal, aimed at those looking to call Fall River home.

Haverhill

The First Time Homeowner Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $7,500 to be applied to, or split between, down payments and closing costs for eligible first-time buyers purchasing a home in the Mount Washington area, and up to $6,000 for properties purchased in the Lower Acre Neighborhood.

Holyoke

Community development: Together with Wayfinder, the Holyoke Housing Authority offers buyer education classes on steps to first-time home ownership. Holyoke’s website also offers the ability to see if you qualify for help with a down payment.

Lawrence

The First-Time Home Buyers Program in Lawrence offers low and moderate-income families buy a home. The HOME Partnership Investment Fund assists with down payment assistance, closing costs, and reduced mortgage principals, among others advantages.

Lowell

First Time Home buyers Program: If you’re a veteran or a qualified first-time home buyer looking to purchase a home in Lowell, you may be qualified to receive a loan of $10,000.

Malden

There are a variety of down payment assistance loans available to first-time buyers through North Suburban Consortium.

Medford

Also managed through the North Suburban Consortium, Medford offers home buyer workshops to walk potential residents through the process of buying their first home, as well as help with down payments and closing costs.

Melrose

Melrose provides financial assistance with down payments and closing costs, as well as workshops for first-time home buyers.

New Bedford

New Bedford offers a range of programs, including the “Neighborhoods First” First Time Home Buyer Program and coordinates the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) “ONE” Program.

Newton

Newton offers a program for first-time home buyers through the West Metro HOME Consortium.

Peabody

The City of Peabody coordinates access to the Transit Oriented Home Mortgage Loans, Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), as well as other first-time home buyer benefits.

Plymouth

Plymouth offers down payment assistance to first-time buyers. Click the link to learn more.

Quincy

In partnership with NeighborWorks of Massachusetts, the City of Quincy administers the HOME Program to help first-time buyers.

Salem

Salem offers down payment assistance loans to first-time buyers.

Somerville

Attend a seminar from the First–Time Home Buyer Seminars Somerville Community Corporation.

Springfield

Click to explore Springfield’s Down Payment Assistance Program.

Taunton

ProHome, Inc offers those looking to call Taunton home a First Time Home buyer Program.

Weymouth

From rehabilitation grants and loans, as well as a first time buyer program Weymouth has a few options to explore.

Worcester

Worcester is a city on the rise! Check out these programs, which may be right for you, including the HOME Program and others!

Live Worcester Now

Lead Paint Abatement

Rhode Island

Statewide and Regional Programs

Rhode Island Housing – This quasi-state agency offers a range of programs. If you’re a first-time home buyer, you may qualify for the following:

• Closing Cost and/or Down Payment Assistance– The agency provides a 15-year fixed second mortgage, which helps finance closing costs, down payments, or both.
• First Homes Tax Credit– Qualified, first-time buyers in Rhode Island, may qualify for a mortgage credit certificate. Buyers receive a matching tax credit up to the amount of $2,000, which is measured against the life of the loan’s federal tax liability.

Programs by City or Town

Rhode Island’s municipalities offer programs, as well.

Cranston

Explore the website for the City of Cranston to discover the resources available to first-time home buyers, including:

• Down payment assistance
• Closing cost assistance
• Financial assistance

Providence

The City of Providence extends a number of first time home buyer benefits, key among them being = the HOME Program, as well as assistance with down payments and closing costs and lead paint abatement.

Woonsocket

Woonsocket Safe at HOME Rehab Program – The City of Woonsocket offers city home owners who qualify access to a no interest loan in the amount of up to $25,000. This loan can help buyers pay for the costs associated with complying with RI State Property Maintenance Code, as well as making code-related repairs and removing dangerous lead hazards.

Woonsocket FIRST HOME Down Payment Assistance Program – This program those buying in Woonsocket a loan in the amount of up to $5,000, which can help cover for the down payment for the purchase of a first home in Woonsocket. Click above to learn more.

First time home buyer benefits in Connecticut

Statewide and Regional Programs

The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority offers programs to assist with closing costs and down payments on homes.

Capital for Change – These loan programs focus on energy efficiency and offer mortgage assistance, as well as repair loan programs for buyers.

Housing Development Fund, Inc. – This link serves as a wide-ranging resource for first-time buyers to discover what is available to them in New Haven, Litchfield, and Fairfield.

Programs by City or Town

Bridgeport

HOME Program

Fairfield

Fairfield offers first-time home buyer benefits, including assistance with down payments and closing cost.

Hamden

Hamden offers down payment assistance in the amount of up to $5,000.

Hartford

Hartford has several programs that are available to first-time buyers. These include

• HOME Program
• Down payment Assistance Program
• Tax Abatement Program

Manchester

Use Manchester’s site for help with:

• Emergency Replacement Program: This program helps with replacing water heaters, roofs, furnaces, and other home components.
• First-time Home buyers Guide
• Energy Efficiency Loans

Middletown

Click to discover more on how Middletown coordinates state programs for first-time buyers.

New Haven

Down payment & closing cost assistance

Housing Counseling

Norwalk

The Norwalk Development Agency offers the South Norwalk Renovation Program, rehabilitation assistance, and grants for accessibility.

Stamford

Stamford also offers the HOME Program.

Nationwide Home Buyer Benefit Programs

In addition to the many home buyer programs by state, there are federal programs available to those who qualify.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing – For those looking to buy in rural areas, there are options available to achieve 100% financing.  To see if the area you are interested in qualifies as a rural area, use this Eligibility Lookup Tool for designated areas.

Habitat for Humanity – This American staple has served as an opportunity to help undeserved populations achieve the dream of home ownership.

Now you know…

Well, there you have it—a complete rundown of home buyer programs by state.

Feel free to bookmark this page and refer to it as many times as you need.

Are you ready to become a home owner? Get in touch to see how we can help put you on the track to realizing your dream.

And check out our blog for more helpful insights aimed at giving home buyers the resources they need to be successful.