See programs you qualify for

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

Homebuyer Programs in Malden, MA (2026)

Population: 66,996 | Median home price: $600,000 | Est. closing costs: $12,000 - $18,000

Malden is a diverse, transit-connected city in Middlesex County just north of Boston, with excellent access to the Orange Line and commuter rail. With a median home price around $600,000, Malden offers relative affordability for the inner Boston suburbs. The North Suburban Consortium provides up to $10,000 in forgivable down payment assistance for first-time buyers purchasing in Malden. At the state level, buyers can access MassHousing Down Payment Assistance of up to $30,000, the MassDREAMS grant of up to $50,000, and the ONE Mortgage Program with just 3% down and no PMI. As a Gateway City, Malden buyers benefit from expanded income eligibility on state programs. First-generation homebuyers may also qualify for up to $20,000 through the MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program, and Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston serves the Malden area. By combining local and state resources, eligible buyers can stack meaningful assistance toward homeownership.

City Programs in Malden

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 →

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

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 →

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

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 →

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

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 →

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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13 programs available in Malden. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. The North Suburban Consortium DPA requires household income at or below 80% AMI. As a Gateway City, MassHousing income limits allow earnings up to 135% AMI for state programs.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Attend and complete a first-time homebuyer counseling workshop from a HUD-certified organization. Contact the Malden Community Development office for referrals to approved agencies.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Contact a MassHousing-approved lender or ONE Mortgage participating lender to determine your borrowing power and program eligibility.

Step 4: Apply for North Suburban Consortium DPA. Contact Safi Chalfin-Smith at 781-324-5720 x5730 or schalfinsmith@cityofmalden.org for application details. The purchase price cannot exceed $858,000 for a 1-unit property in Middlesex County.

Step 5: Apply for state programs. Work with your lender to apply for MassHousing DPA or MassDREAMS. First-generation buyers should contact MAHA about the STASH program.

Step 6: Find a home and close. The property must be a condominium, townhome, or single-family home in Malden that you will occupy as your primary residence. Coordinate all assistance funds at closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Malden?+

Malden buyers can access up to $10,000 through the North Suburban Consortium Down Payment Assistance program as a 0% interest forgivable loan. At the state level, MassHousing offers up to $30,000 in DPA for buyers below 60% AMI, or up to $25,000 for higher-income tiers. MassDREAMS provides grants up to $50,000 for buyers at or below 100% AMI. First-generation buyers may also receive up to $20,000 from the MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+

Yes, most programs require first-time buyer status. The NSC DPA requires you have not owned a home in the past 3 years, or be a displaced homemaker or single parent who only owned with a former spouse. MassHousing DPA, MassDREAMS, and MAHA STASH also require first-time buyer status.

What are the income limits for Malden homebuyer programs?+

The North Suburban Consortium DPA requires household income at or below 80% AMI. As a Gateway City, Malden residents qualify for expanded MassHousing income limits up to 135% AMI. MassDREAMS offers up to $50,000 for buyers at or below 100% AMI and up to $35,000 for those between 100-135% AMI. The purchase price limit for the NSC program is $858,000 for a 1-unit property.

How does the NSC forgivable loan work?+

The North Suburban Consortium DPA is a 0% interest, 5-year deferred loan with no monthly payments. Each year on the anniversary date, 20% of the original loan amount is forgiven. After 5 years of living in the property as your primary residence, the loan is fully forgiven. If you sell, refinance, transfer, or move out before the 5 years are up, you must repay a prorated portion.

Where can I take homebuyer education in Malden?+

You must complete a first-time homebuyer counseling workshop from a HUD-certified agency to qualify for the NSC DPA program. Contact the Malden Community Development office or Safi Chalfin-Smith at 781-324-5720 x5730 for referrals to approved agencies in the area. This course also satisfies the education requirement for MassHousing and ONE Mortgage programs.

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Buying a home in Malden? 13 programs could help.

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