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

Local homebuying assistance 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, Winthrop
• The City of Cambridgeoffers downpayment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing a home in Cambridge. Buyers may be eligible for assistance of up to $10,000 towards the purchase
• The City of Lynn Neighborhood Services offers up to $10,000.00 in down payment assistance
• The City of Newton provides a wide variety of options to assist in making homeownership possible
• The City of Somerville Housing Division and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund offer programs to help first-time homebuyers in the City