See programs you qualify for

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

Homebuyer Programs in Shrewsbury, MA (2026)

Population: 40,166 | Median home price: $665,000 | Est. closing costs: $13,500 - $20,000

Shrewsbury is a suburban town in Worcester County, about 35 miles west of Boston, with a population of roughly 40,000 and a median home price around $665,000. While Shrewsbury does not offer its own city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers here benefit from strong state and nonprofit options. MassHousing Down Payment Assistance provides up to $30,000 at 0% interest for buyers under 60% AMI, and the ONE Mortgage Program offers 30-year fixed-rate financing with just 3% down and no PMI. The MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program provides grants up to $20,000 for first-generation homebuyers, and Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester builds affordable homes in the area for families earning 30-60% AMI. By combining state and nonprofit programs, eligible Shrewsbury buyers could access over $50,000 in combined assistance.

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 MetroWest/Greater Worcester 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 →

Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgage with 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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12 programs available in Shrewsbury. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. MassHousing DPA income limits for Worcester County are approximately $165,645 at the 100% AMI tier. The ONE Mortgage Program is available to buyers earning up to 100% AMI.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact RCAP Solutions, the HUD-approved Housing Consumer Education Center for Worcester County, to enroll in a certified first-time homebuyer education course. They can be reached at their Worcester office Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a MassHousing or MHP participating lender to get pre-approved. Ask about the ONE Mortgage Program, which offers a 30-year fixed rate with 3% down and no PMI.

Step 4: Apply for state down payment assistance. Through your participating lender, apply for MassHousing Down Payment Assistance, which offers up to $30,000 at 0% interest for buyers under 60% AMI, or up to $25,000 at 2-3% interest for higher income tiers.

Step 5: Explore additional assistance. Contact MAHA about the STASH First-Gen Home Program if you are a first-generation homebuyer, which offers grants up to $20,000. Also check with Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester if your income is between 30-60% AMI.

Step 6: Find a home in Shrewsbury and submit your purchase offer. Your lender and housing counselor will help coordinate the timing of your assistance funds with your closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Shrewsbury buyers can access several programs. MassHousing Down Payment Assistance offers up to $30,000 at 0% interest for buyers under 60% AMI, up to $25,000 at 2% for 60-80% AMI, and up to $25,000 at 3% for 80-100% AMI. The MAHA STASH First-Gen Home Program provides grants up to $20,000 for first-generation homebuyers. Combined, eligible buyers could access over $50,000 in assistance.

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

Yes, most programs available in Shrewsbury require first-time buyer status, which typically means you have not owned a home in the past three years. MassHousing DPA and the ONE Mortgage Program both require first-time buyer status. However, some exceptions may exist for veterans and buyers purchasing in certain targeted areas.

What is the maximum home price I can pay?+

MassHousing programs set purchase price limits that vary by property type and are updated periodically. As of recent guidelines, the single-family purchase price limit in the Shrewsbury area is approximately $838,717. The median home price in Shrewsbury is around $665,000, which falls within most program limits.

What homebuyer education is required?+

All major programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before closing. RCAP Solutions serves as the Housing Consumer Education Center for Worcester County and offers certified first-time homebuyer workshops. They are located in Worcester and serve the entire Worcester County region including Shrewsbury.

Is Shrewsbury a Gateway City for MassDREAMS?+

No, Shrewsbury is not one of the 29 Gateway City communities designated under the MassDREAMS program. However, if you currently live in a Gateway City like Worcester and want to purchase in Shrewsbury, you may still be eligible for MassDREAMS grants of up to $50,000 since recipients can buy anywhere in Massachusetts. For Shrewsbury residents, MassHousing DPA (up to $30,000) and the MAHA STASH program (up to $20,000) are the primary assistance options.

Can Habitat for Humanity help me buy a home in Shrewsbury?+

Yes. Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester serves 42 cities and towns including the Shrewsbury area. They build affordable homes with mortgage payments capped so they do not exceed 30% of monthly income. Applicants must earn between 30-60% of Area Median Income and contribute 300 hours of sweat equity per adult. Visit habitatmwgw.org for application details.

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