The most common barrier to homeownership are the closing costs and a down payment associated with obtaining a mortgage loan. Because of this, most house finance agencies (HFAs) provide some closing cost and down payment assistance (DPA) to income qualified homebuyers in their states.

DPA programs help homebuyers with grants or low-interest loans that reduce the amount they need to save for a down payment. There are more than 2,000 of these programs nationwide. State, county or city governments run many of them. DPA programs vary by location, but many home buyers could be in line for thousands of dollars in down payment assistance if they qualify.

• The City of Chelsea offers a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) down payment assistance program
• The North Suburban Consortium (NSC) offers a forgivable down payment assistance program up to $7,500 for properties in Arlington, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Revere, and Winthrop