See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 4, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Arlington, MA (2026)
Arlington is a desirable suburban town in Middlesex County just northwest of Boston, known for its excellent schools, walkable neighborhoods, and proximity to Cambridge and Somerville. With a median home price around $900,000, buying here requires significant preparation, but several assistance programs can help. The North Suburban Consortium offers up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance for first-time buyers in Arlington, while the MassDREAMS program provides grants of up to $50,000 for qualifying households. MassHousing offers up to $30,000 in down payment assistance, and the ONE Mortgage Program provides affordable 30-year fixed-rate loans with just 3% down and no PMI. First-generation buyers may also qualify for up to $20,000 through the MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program. By combining state and local resources, Arlington homebuyers can stack significant assistance to make homeownership more attainable in this competitive market.
City Programs in Arlington
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Suburban Consortium Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 for non-subsidized properties; up to $5,000 for NSC HOME-subsidized properties | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 for non-subsidized properties; up to $5,000 for NSC HOME-subsidized properties
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in Massachusetts
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MassDREAMS Down Payment Assistance Grant | Grant | Up to $50,000 for buyers earning up to 100% AMI; up to $35,000 for buyers earning 100-135% AMI | Yes | View → |
| MassHousing Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $30,000 (below 60% AMI at 0% deferred); up to $25,000 (60-80% AMI at 2%); up to $25,000 (80-135% AMI at 3%) | Yes | View → |
| ONE Mortgage Program | Zero-Interest Loan | 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with 3% down payment and no PMI; qualified borrowers below 80% AMI receive an additional subsidy to lower monthly payments | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000 for buyers earning up to 100% AMI; up to $35,000 for buyers earning 100-135% AMI
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000 (below 60% AMI at 0% deferred); up to $25,000 (60-80% AMI at 2%); up to $25,000 (80-135% AMI at 3%)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with 3% down payment and no PMI; qualified borrowers below 80% AMI receive an additional subsidy to lower monthly payments
- First-time only:
- Yes
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with monthly housing costs capped at 30% of gross monthly income | No | View → |
| MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 grant in Boston; up to $20,000 in other Massachusetts cities | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with monthly housing costs capped at 30% of gross monthly income
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 grant in Boston; up to $20,000 in other Massachusetts cities
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. For the Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area (which includes Arlington), the 80% AMI limit for a family of four is $132,200. Review income and purchase price limits for each program you plan to apply for.
Step 2: Complete a homebuyer education course. This is required for the North Suburban Consortium DPA, MassDREAMS, and most other programs. Contact the Housing Corporation of Arlington at 781-859-5294 for local course options, or find a HUD-approved counseling agency through the Massachusetts Homeownership Collaborative.
Step 3: Contact the North Suburban Consortium DPA representative for Arlington. Reach Sarah Suarez at 781-316-3096 or ssuarez@town.arlington.ma.us to learn about current funding availability and start your application for up to $10,000 in forgivable assistance.
Step 4: Explore state programs through a MassHousing-approved lender. MassHousing DPA (up to $30,000) and the MassDREAMS grant (up to $50,000) both require working with an approved lender. The ONE Mortgage Program also uses participating lenders who can help you access a 3% down, no-PMI loan.
Step 5: Get pre-approved for your mortgage. Work with your chosen lender to get pre-approved, factoring in any DPA you expect to receive. Arlington properties must be priced at or below $858,000 to qualify for the NSC program.
Step 6: Find a home and submit your applications. Once you have an accepted offer, finalize your DPA applications. The NSC program processes applications after you have a purchase agreement in place. Plan for a closing timeline of 45-60 days to allow for program processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Arlington?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay in Arlington?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is the North Suburban Consortium DPA really forgivable?+−
Can I use multiple assistance programs at the same time?+−
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