See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 3, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Lowell, MA (2026)
Lowell is the fourth-largest city in Massachusetts and one of the state's designated Gateway Cities, with a median home price of approximately $450,000. Lowell buyers benefit from three distinct city-level assistance programs: the HOME Down Payment Assistance Program (up to $11,800 as a 0% deferred loan), the Lowell Development & Financial Corporation DPA (up to $7,500), and the ONE+Lowell Pilot Program (up to $25,000 in combined rate discounts and DPA). At the state level, MassHousing provides up to $30,000 in down payment assistance as a 0% deferred loan, and the ONE Mortgage program offers 30-year fixed-rate loans with just 3% down and no PMI. First-generation homebuyers can access the FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership grant for up to $40,000 and the MAHA STASH program for up to $20,000. With three city programs plus state and nonprofit options, Lowell offers some of the most layered homebuyer assistance in the state.
City Programs in Lowell
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Lowell HOME Down Payment Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $11,800 | Yes | View → |
| Lowell Development & Financial Corporation DPA | Deferred Loan | Up to $7,500 | Yes | View → |
| ONE+Lowell Pilot Program | Grant | Total program award up to $25,000, including interest rate discount ($10,000-$12,500 value) plus down payment and closing cost assistance (up to $12,500) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $11,800
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $7,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Total program award up to $25,000, including interest rate discount ($10,000-$12,500 value) plus down payment and closing cost assistance (up to $12,500)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership | Grant | Up to $40,000 grant | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with 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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $40,000 grant
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with 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. The Lowell HOME program requires income within HUD limits. As a Gateway City, MassHousing DPA extends to 135% AMI. The ONE+Lowell program serves buyers up to 100% AMI.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership (MVHP) is the primary provider of homebuyer education in Lowell and is required for all city DPA programs. Contact MVHP at 978-459-8490 or mvhp@mvhp.org to register for classes.
Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a MassHousing-approved lender or a ONE Mortgage participating lender. IC Credit Union and Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union are local options. Contact MHP at 1-800-752-7131 for a full lender list.
Step 4: Find a home in Lowell. All city DPA programs require the property to be located in the City of Lowell. You must have at least 1.5% of your own funds for the HOME program.
Step 5: Apply for down payment assistance. Submit your documents to MVHP for review. MVHP will forward your application to the City of Lowell's Department of Planning and Development for property inspection and final approval. Allow three weeks for city review.
Step 6: Close on your home. Your lender and the city will coordinate disbursement of all assistance funds at closing. The city HOME loan and LDFC loan both have no monthly payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Lowell?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the difference between the three Lowell city DPA programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What does it mean that Lowell is a Gateway City?+−
Free eligibility check
Buying a home in Lowell? 16 programs could help.
How soon are you looking to buy?