See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 3, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Springfield, MA (2026)

Population: 155,000 | Median home price: $300,000 | Est. closing costs: $6,000 - $9,000

Springfield is the largest city in Western Massachusetts and one of the state's designated Gateway Cities, with a median home price of approximately $300,000 — well below the state average. The city's Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program is one of the most generous municipal programs in the state, offering up to $35,000 as a 0% interest forgivable loan for income-qualified first-time buyers. At the state level, MassHousing provides up to $30,000 in down payment assistance as a 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 an additional $40,000 through the FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership grant and $20,000 through the MAHA STASH program. Springfield's affordable prices combined with strong assistance programs make it one of the most accessible cities for first-time buyers in Massachusetts.

City Programs in Springfield

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Springfield Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program	Forgivable Loan	$7,500 zero-interest forgivable loan (city application updated March 17, 2026); city web page also cites $10,000-$20,000, so confirm the current amount with the Office of Housing	Yes	View →

Springfield Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: $7,500 zero-interest forgivable loan (city application updated March 17, 2026); city web page also cites $10,000-$20,000, so confirm the current amount with the Office of Housing
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
FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership	Grant	Up to $40,000 grant	Yes	View →
Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable mortgage with low interest rate; homes sold at no profit	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 →

FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $40,000 grant
First-time only:: Yes

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgage with low interest rate; homes sold at no profit
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 Springfield. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Springfield city DPA requires income at or below 100% AMI, with specific limits set annually by HUD. As a Gateway City, Springfield buyers also qualify for MassHousing DPA at income levels up to 135% AMI.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. You must complete a HUD-certified or CHAPA-certified 8-hour homebuyer education program. Springfield Partners for Community Action offers free HUD-certified housing counseling and education classes for Western Massachusetts residents. Way Finders also offers certified homebuyer education and can be reached at (413) 233-1925 or homeownership@wayfinders.org.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a MassHousing-approved lender or a ONE Mortgage participating lender. Greater Springfield Credit Union and Holyoke Credit Union are local options that participate in state programs. Contact MHP at 1-800-752-7131 for a full lender list.

Step 4: Find a home in Springfield. The city DPA program has purchase price limits that vary by property type, ranging from $271,000 for existing single-unit homes to $617,000 for new construction four-unit properties.

Step 5: Apply for down payment assistance. Contact the City of Springfield Office of Housing at 413-787-6500 or email Patricia Montana at pmontana@springfieldcityhall.com. You must contribute a minimum of 1% of your own funds toward the purchase.

Step 6: Close on your home. Your lender and the city will coordinate disbursement of all assistance funds at closing. The city's forgivable loan has no monthly payments and is gradually forgiven over 10 years of owner occupancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Springfield buyers have access to substantial stacking opportunities. The city's DPA program offers up to $35,000 as a 0% forgivable loan. MassHousing provides up to $30,000 as a 0% deferred loan for buyers under 60% AMI, or up to $25,000 for those earning up to 135% AMI. The FHLBank Boston Lift Up Homeownership grant offers up to $40,000 for first-generation buyers, and the MAHA STASH program provides up to $20,000 for first-generation buyers purchasing outside Boston. With a median home price around $300,000, these programs can cover a significant portion of the purchase price.

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

Most Springfield programs require first-time buyer status, defined as not having owned a home in the past 3 years. The Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity program does not strictly require first-time buyer status. The MAHA STASH and FHLBank Boston Lift Up programs target first-generation homebuyers specifically — meaning neither you nor your parents have ever owned a home in the US.

What are the purchase price limits in Springfield?+

The city DPA program has specific price limits by property type: $271,000 for existing single-unit homes, with higher limits for multi-unit and new construction properties up to $617,000 for new construction four-unit properties. MassHousing sets its own purchase price limits which vary by area. Contact the Office of Housing at 413-787-6500 for the most current limits.

What homebuyer education is required?+

All Springfield programs require completion of a HUD-certified or CHAPA-certified 8-hour homebuyer education program. Springfield Partners for Community Action offers free in-person homebuyer education classes for all Western Massachusetts residents. Way Finders, a HUD and NeighborWorks certified organization in Springfield, also provides homebuyer education and counseling. Contact Way Finders at (413) 233-1925.

What does it mean that Springfield is a Gateway City?+

Springfield is one of Massachusetts' 26 designated Gateway Cities. For homebuyers, this means MassHousing extends its DPA income eligibility to 135% of Area Median Income, compared to 100% AMI in non-Gateway communities. This allows more Springfield households to qualify for state-level down payment assistance than in many other Massachusetts towns.

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