Operation Welcome Home
Financial Assistance for Homebuyers in Massachusetts
Available Assistance
Operation Welcome Home provides eligible applicants with closing cost assistance up to $2,500 that can be combined with a down payment assistance loan up to 5% of the total sale price, or $15,000 (whichever is less).
Eligibility Requirements
The Operation Welcome Home program is available to active duty military members, honorably discharged veterans, members of the Reserves or National Guard, and Gold Star Family members. In order to be qualify for down payment assistance, applicants must be first-time homebuyers (unless they are purchasing a home in Boston, Chelsea, Cambridge, Everett, Fall River, Lawrence, Lynn, North Adams, or Somerville). Their annual household income must fall at or under the average median income (limits shown below), and the home they purchase must be a 1- to 4-family property in Massachusetts (condominiums are eligible).
Income Limits
Barnstable County: $90,200
Berkshire County: $67,200
Bristol County: $72,100
Dukes County: $87,000
Essex County: $103,400
Franklin County: $80,000
Hampden County: $66,600
Hampshire County: $66,000
Middlesex County: $103,400
Nantucket County: $99,500
Norfolk County: $103,400
Plymouth County: $103,400
Suffolk County: $103,400
Worcester County: $85,700
Seller-funded down payment programs were eliminated in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, but States and Local government agencies are still permitted to help borrowers finance their homes with second mortgages and grants. These agencies set different requirements that a borrower needs to meet in order to qualify for the grant programs, such as property location, and purchase price and income limits.
Note: All figures were accurate at the time of publication and may no longer be current - visit the program website for updated information.
Down payment assistance programs and/or grants were researched by the team at FHA.com. Please note that all programs listed on this website may involve a second mortgage with payments that are forgiven, deferred, or subsidized in some manner until resale of the mortgaged property.
FHA.com's compilation is not a complete list, but it can serve as a starting point in your search for the down payment assistance program or grant for your situation. It is up to the consumer to contact these entities and find out the specifics of each program.
Down Payment Grants in Massachusetts
City of Springfield Down Payment Assistance
The City of Springfield Office of Housing helps income-eligible homebuyers overcome the hurdle of saving up for down payments and closing costs with its Down Payment Assistance Program.
City of Worcester Down Payment Program
Worcester, Massachusetts Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $5000 in assistance funds to income-eligible first-time homebuyers.
Operation Welcome Home
MassHousing started Operation Welcome Hometo help homebuyers by providing loans with flexible underwriting, and down payment and closing cost assistance
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