MassDREAMS (Delivering Real Equity and Mortgage Stability)

Down payment and closing cost grants for first-time homebuyers in Massachusetts communities that were hit the hardest by the economic effects of COVID-19

Get Started with MassDREAMS

MassDREAMS grants are only available with a MassHousing or MHP first mortgage loan. See if you might be eligible for a MassDREAMS grant.

About MassDREAMS

MassDREAMS is made possible by federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which provides assistance to states to mitigate the economic effects of the pandemic.

MassDREAMS is a Massachusetts program that provides down payment and closing cost grants to first-time homebuyers who meet the program’s eligibility criteria and who currently live in one of the 29 communities that were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic: Attleboro, Barnstable, Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Chicopee, Everett, Fall River, Fitchburg, Framingham, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Lynn, Malden, Methuen, New Bedford, Peabody, Pittsfield, Quincy, Randolph, Revere, Salem, Springfield, Taunton, Westfield and Worcester.

Important Note: MassDREAMS grants are only available to eligible first-time home buyers who purchase a property using a first mortgage loan from MassHousing or the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP).

How much assistance is available?

  • Up to $50,000 for homebuyers earning up to 100% of the area median income (AMI)
  • Up to $35,000 for homebuyers earning between 100.01% and 135% of area median income

Area Median Income varies by county. For example, the area median income in Berkshire County is $117,855 and in Essex County is $179,955. Want to see if you might be eligible? Visit mymasshome.org.

Who is eligible for MassDREAMS?

To be eligible for MassDREAMS Homebuyer Grants, you must

  • Be a first-time homebuyer
  • Purchase a home in any Massachusetts community, using a MassHousing or MHP mortgage
  • Currently reside in one of the 29 Disproportionately Impacted Communities* in Massachusetts
  • Buy a single-family home, condominium or 2-, 3- or 4-family home, which will be your primary residence
  • Meet income and other eligibility criteria, which vary by location

To learn more about MassDREAMS and to see if you might be eligible, visit mymasshome.org. This website is administered by the Citizens Housing and Planning Association and jointly funded by MassHousing and MHP.

*The Disproportionately Impacted Communities in Massachusetts are 

Attleboro
Barnstable
Boston
Brockton
Chelsea
Chicopee
Everett
Fall River
Fitchburg
Framingham
Haverhill
Holyoke
Lawrence
Leominster
Lowell
Lynn
Malden
Methuen
New Bedford
Peabody
Pittsfield
Quincy
Randolph
Revere
Salem
Springfield
Taunton
Westfield
Worcester

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How to Apply for a MassDREAMS Grant

  1. Go to www.mymasshome.org and select Down Payment Assistance > MassDREAMS
  2. Complete the questionnaire. If you meet the initial qualifying criteria, you will receive an eligibility letter via email
  3. Contact a lender that partners with MassHousing or the Mass. Housing Partnership on MassDREAMS and provide them with your eligibility letter
  4. Work with the lender to apply for a MassHousing or MHP home mortgage loan

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