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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 4, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Everett, MA (2026)

Population: 48,957 | Median home price: $695,000 | Est. closing costs: $14,000 - $21,000

Skyline of Everett, MA

Everett is a Gateway City just north of Boston in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, known for its diverse community and growing housing market. With a median home price around $695,000, Everett offers some of the strongest homebuyer assistance in the state thanks to its Gateway City and MassDREAMS designations. Eligible first-time buyers can receive up to $50,000 in grant funding through MassDREAMS, up to $30,000 in deferred down payment assistance through MassHousing, and affordable fixed-rate financing with no PMI through the ONE Mortgage Program. Locally, the Everett First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $20,000 as a forgivable loan, while the North Suburban Consortium offers up to $10,000 in additional forgivable assistance. The MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program (up to $20,000) and Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston round out the options. By stacking multiple programs, qualified Everett buyers could access over $100,000 in combined homebuyer assistance.

City Programs in Everett

Everett First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $20,000
First-time only:
Yes
North Suburban Consortium Down Payment Assistance
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

MassDREAMS Down Payment Assistance Grant
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
MassHousing Down Payment Assistance
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
ONE Mortgage Program
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

FHA Loans
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
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
Type:
Government Property Sale Program
Amount:
50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:
Yes
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)
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
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)
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
HUD $100 Down Program
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
USDA Rural Development Loans
Type:
Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:
100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:
No
VA Loans
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

Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable mortgage with monthly housing costs capped at 30% of gross monthly income
First-time only:
No
MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $10,000 grant in Boston; up to $20,000 in other Massachusetts cities
First-time only:
Yes

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14 programs available in Everett. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require you to be a first-time homebuyer (no homeownership in the past 3 years) and meet income limits based on your household size and area median income (AMI). As a Gateway City, Everett buyers can earn up to 135% of AMI for several state programs. The Everett city DPA program allows income up to 150% AMI.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Enroll in a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Nearby options include classes offered through local housing counseling agencies. Most programs require completion of homebuyer education before you can apply for assistance. The MAHA STASH program requires 8 hours of financial literacy and homebuyer education.

Step 3: Meet with a housing counselor. Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency for free financial and credit counseling. They can help you understand which programs you qualify for and how to stack multiple forms of assistance. Call (800) 569-4287 to find a HUD-approved counselor near you.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a MassHousing-approved lender or a ONE Mortgage participating lender to get pre-approved. Your lender can help you apply for MassHousing Down Payment Assistance, MassDREAMS, and the ONE Mortgage Program simultaneously.

Step 5: Apply for the Everett city DPA program. Contact the City of Everett Planning and Development Department at 617-394-2230 or matt.lattanzi@ci.everett.ma.us to obtain an application for the $20,000 forgivable loan program. Applications are available at the Planning Department or Everett Public Library locations.

Step 6: Find a home within program limits. Search for properties in Everett that meet program requirements. The North Suburban Consortium has a purchase price limit of $858,000 for single-unit properties. Confirm limits with your lender before making an offer.

Step 7: Submit all assistance applications and close. Once you have a signed purchase and sales agreement, submit applications for MassDREAMS (up to $50,000 grant), MassHousing DPA (up to $30,000), North Suburban Consortium DPA (up to $10,000), and the Everett city program (up to $20,000). Your lender will coordinate applying all approved assistance at closing. Typical closing costs in Everett range from $14,000 to $21,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Everett?+
Everett buyers can access significant assistance by stacking multiple programs. MassDREAMS provides up to $50,000 as a grant for buyers earning up to 100% AMI. MassHousing offers up to $30,000 in deferred down payment assistance. The Everett First-Time Homebuyer DPA Program provides up to $20,000 as a forgivable loan. The North Suburban Consortium offers up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan. The MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program offers up to $20,000 in matched savings grants. The ONE Mortgage Program provides a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with only 3% down and no PMI. Combined, eligible buyers could access over $100,000 in total assistance.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
Most programs available in Everett do require first-time buyer status, meaning you have not owned a home in the past three years. The MassDREAMS grant, MassHousing DPA, ONE Mortgage, Everett city DPA, North Suburban Consortium DPA, and MAHA STASH all require first-time buyer status. Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston also requires no homeownership in the past three years. However, some federal programs like FHA loans are available to repeat buyers.
What is the Everett First-Time Homebuyer DPA Program?+
The City of Everett established this program with $400,000 in ARPA funding to help overcome financial barriers to homeownership. Qualified applicants can receive a forgivable loan of up to $20,000. The loan is forgiven at 20% per year over five years, as long as the home remains the primary residence. The program has been expanded to include non-Everett residents and households earning up to 150% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis through the City of Everett Planning Department.
What are the income limits for Everett homebuyer programs?+
Income limits vary by program. As a Gateway City, Everett allows higher thresholds for several programs. MassDREAMS is available up to 135% AMI with the highest grants for those under 100% AMI. MassHousing DPA is available up to 135% AMI with tiered assistance. The Everett city DPA program allows income up to 150% AMI. The North Suburban Consortium requires income at or below 80% AMI. The ONE Mortgage serves buyers up to 100% AMI. Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor at (800) 569-4287 for current income limit figures specific to your household size.
What homebuyer education is required?+
Most programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Nearby counseling agencies offer homebuyer education classes in the greater Boston area. The MAHA STASH program requires 8 hours of financial literacy and homebuyer education via Zoom. Complete your education early in the process, as most lenders and assistance programs require a certificate before they will process your application. Call (800) 569-4287 to find a HUD-approved counselor near you.
What is the North Suburban Consortium DPA?+
The North Suburban Consortium (NSC) is a partnership of eight communities including Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Arlington, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop. The NSC offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance as a forgivable loan with 0% interest. The loan is forgiven at 20% per year over five years. Applicants must be first-time homebuyers with household income at or below 80% AMI. The purchase price limit for single-unit properties in Everett is $858,000.

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