First-Time Homebuyer Program

This program provides eligible home buyers with down payment assistance.

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Please note: Effective September 15, 2026, program assistance provided to non-Boston residents will be structured as 0% interest deferred loans, secured by a mortgage and promissory note.

Non-Boston residents who submit a complete application, along with a signed offer or fully executed Purchase and Sale agreement on or before September 14, 2026, will not be subject to this change. Reach out to homecenter@boston.gov with any questions you may have.

Apply for the First-Time Homebuyer Program

About the program

The First-Time Homebuyer Program provides income-eligible homebuyers in Boston with financial assistance.

For those with total household income less than 100 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), the down payment assistance amount is up to three (3) percent of the purchase price, plus eligible closing costs, with a maximum award amount of $50,000.

For those with a total household income between 101 and 135 percent of AMI, the down payment assistance amount is up to two (2) percent of the purchase price, plus eligible closing costs, with a maximum award amount of $35,000.

Please note: if the qualified buyer is purchasing a deed-restricted property, the down payment assistance amount will be up to two (2) percent of the purchase price.

Boston Residents: Assistance will be a grant.

Non-Boston Residents: Assistance will be a 0% interest deferred loan — repayable upon transfer, refinance, or sale of the property.

How to Qualify

To qualify for our programs, you need to plan to buy a one- to three-family residential property or condominium in Boston. The home must be your primary residence.

YOU ALSO NEED TO:

be a first-time homebuyer (you haven't owned a property in the past three years)
graduate from a CHAPA-approved Homebuying 101 class
get a first mortgage pre-approval from one of our participating mortgage lenders (mortgage loan must adhere to the Fannie Mae general loan limits)
have a total household income less than 135 percent of AMI
have assets less than $100,000
Applicants may be deemed ineligible if, based on household total assets, there is no demonstrated need.

The Application Process

Read all of the information above about the program you are applying for. Make sure you understand all of the program eligibility requirements, including income and asset limits.
Read the program application and review the checklist. It includes important information about what you’ll need to include in order to submit that application.
Register and complete the CHAPA-approved Homebuying 101 course. Completing the class is required to be eligible for any homebuyer loan program. Visit the Boston Home Center Classes page to connect with a class close to your neighborhood.
Get a mortgage pre-approval from one of our participating mortgage lenders. Applicants are required to work with one of the approved lenders on the list to be eligible.
Complete the First-Time Homebuyer Financial Assistance Application and submit your documents.