See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 4, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Dartmouth, MA (2026)
Dartmouth is a scenic coastal town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, known for its picturesque waterfront along Buzzards Bay, historic farms, and proximity to New Bedford. With a population of approximately 33,783, Dartmouth offers a mix of rural charm and suburban convenience that attracts families and professionals. The median home price in Dartmouth is around $620,000, which can make homeownership challenging for first-time buyers. Fortunately, Dartmouth residents have access to several down payment assistance programs at the federal, state, and local level. The Town of Dartmouth Affordable Housing Trust offers grants up to $175,000 through the Homebuyer Assistance Program, and BayCoast Mortgage provides matching funds up to $10,000 for first-time buyers. State programs like MassHousing Down Payment Assistance, ONE Mortgage, and MassDREAMS also serve Dartmouth buyers. These programs can significantly reduce the upfront costs of purchasing a home in Dartmouth.
City Programs in Dartmouth
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BayCoast Mortgage Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 in dollar-for-dollar matching funds for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| Dartmouth Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) | Grant | Up to $175,000 to bridge the gap between market price and affordable purchase price | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 in dollar-for-dollar matching funds for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $175,000 to bridge the gap between market price and affordable purchase price
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with a low-interest mortgage; no traditional down payment required | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with a low-interest mortgage; no traditional down payment required
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Review the income limits and requirements for each program you are interested in. Most programs require you to be a first-time homebuyer or not have owned a home in the past three years. Income limits vary by program and are typically based on the HUD Area Median Income for the New Bedford metropolitan area.
Step 2: Complete Homebuyer Education
Many programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. NeighborWorks Housing Solutions and other approved agencies in southeastern Massachusetts offer these courses. Contact them early in your home search process.
Step 3: Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Work with a lender who is familiar with Massachusetts down payment assistance programs. BayCoast Mortgage and other local lenders can help you understand which programs you qualify for and how to combine assistance for maximum benefit.
Step 4: Apply for Assistance Programs
For the Dartmouth Homebuyer Assistance Program, watch for open application cycles through the Town of Dartmouth Affordable Housing Trust. For BayCoast Mortgage DPA, contact them directly at 877-646-0800. For state programs like MassHousing DPA and ONE Mortgage, apply through a participating lender.
Step 5: Find a Home and Close
Once pre-approved and enrolled in assistance programs, work with a real estate agent to find an eligible property in Dartmouth. Your lender will coordinate the assistance funds with your mortgage closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What down payment assistance programs are available in Dartmouth, MA?+−
What is the Dartmouth Homebuyer Assistance Program?+−
How much does it cost to close on a home in Dartmouth, MA?+−
Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify for assistance in Dartmouth?+−
What income limits apply to Dartmouth assistance programs?+−
Can I combine multiple assistance programs in Dartmouth?+−
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