See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 4, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Medford, MA (2026)
Medford is a vibrant city in Middlesex County just five miles north of Boston, home to Tufts University and a population of about 60,000. With a median home price around $800,000, Medford is a competitive housing market, but several programs can help make homeownership more attainable. Through the North Suburban Consortium, Medford offers up to $10,000 in down payment assistance as a forgivable loan for first-time buyers. At the state level, the MassDREAMS program provides grants of up to $50,000, MassHousing offers deferred loans of up to $30,000, and the ONE Mortgage Program provides a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with just 3% down and no PMI. Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston also serves Medford with affordable homeownership opportunities. By combining local and state resources, eligible buyers can stack significant assistance toward their purchase.
City Programs in Medford
| 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. The North Suburban Consortium DPA requires household income at or below 80% AMI. You must be a first-time homebuyer and have an accepted offer on a home before applying.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. You must complete a first-time homebuyer counseling workshop from a HUD-certified organization before receiving DPA funds.
Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Consider working with a MassHousing-approved lender or a ONE Mortgage participating lender to maximize your assistance options.
Step 4: Find a home in Medford. The North Suburban Consortium purchase price limit for Medford is $858,000 for a single-unit property.
Step 5: Once you have an accepted offer, contact Medford's Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability at 781-475-5631 or kbuckingham@medford-ma.gov to apply for the North Suburban Consortium DPA.
Step 6: Submit applications for state programs. MassDREAMS and MassHousing DPA can be layered with the NSC DPA for maximum assistance. Coordinate timing with your lender.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Medford?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay in Medford?+−
How does the North Suburban Consortium loan forgiveness work?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What are the income limits for Medford programs?+−
Free eligibility check
Buying a home in Medford? 13 programs could help.
How soon are you looking to buy?