Governor Maura Healey announced an expansion of a state homeownership program that will allow more first‑time buyers to receive up to $25,000 in zero‑interest assistance to help cover down payments and closing costs, as housing prices continue to rise across Massachusetts. The expanded aid is administered through MassHousing and is intended to reduce the upfront financial barriers that prevent many working families from purchasing a home.
The assistance is offered at 0 percent interest with deferred repayment, meaning buyers do not make monthly payments and repay the funds only when they sell, refinance, or pay off their primary mortgage. State officials say shifting the program away from interest‑bearing second mortgages could save some buyers up to $31,000 over the life of the loan, significantly increasing affordability
Eligibility has been expanded to households earning up to 135 percent of the area median income, widening access to many middle‑income families. Income limits now reach $205,335 in eastern Massachusetts, $165,645 in Worcester County, $137,565 in the Berkshires, and $129,870 in Hampden County. The program applies to first‑time buyers who lock in a MassHousing mortgage between April 27 and July 31, 2026.
While housing advocates welcomed the expansion, they cautioned that high home prices and limited supply, particularly in Greater Boston, remain major obstacles. The median listing price for a home in Massachusetts exceeded $749,000 this spring, leaving many eligible buyers still struggling to compete in the market. State leaders say the program is part of a broader strategy to pair buyer assistance with increased housing production statewide.
More information about eligibility and participating lenders is available through MassHousing.
MassHousing
Abdullahi Hussein is a community journalist focused on uplifting immigrant voices and local stories in Boston. He is also our director of editorial and development.
