See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 3, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Cumberland, RI (2026)
Cumberland is a town of about 37,500 residents in Providence County, Rhode Island, located in the Blackstone Valley region north of Providence. With a median home price around $500,000, Cumberland is one of the more desirable suburban communities in the state. While the town does not currently offer its own city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers here benefit from strong state-level options through RIHousing. The RIHousing Extra Assistance program provides up to $20,000 or 6% of purchase price (whichever is lower), the 15kDPA program offers a $15,000 zero-interest deferred loan, and the RI Realtors Homebuyer Grant provides $1,000 ($2,000 for veterans). Habitat for Humanity of West Bay and Northern RI, headquartered in Cumberland, also offers affordable homeownership opportunities with no-interest mortgages. NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley serves Northern Rhode Island with homebuyer education and a Mutual Self-Help Housing Program that can save families up to $20,000 through sweat equity.
State Programs in Rhode Island
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FirstGenHomeRI | Forgivable Loan | $25,000 | Yes | View → |
| RI AnchorHome | Zero-Interest Loan | Varies — state deposits matching funds to participating lender to enable more affordable mortgage products | Yes | View → |
| RI Realtors Homebuyer Grant | Grant | $1,000 grant ($2,000 for veterans or active military) | Yes | View → |
| RI Statewide DPA Grant | Grant | $17,500 | Yes | View → |
| RIHousing 15kDPA | Deferred Loan | $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| RIHousing Extra Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to 6% of purchase price or $20,000, whichever is lower | Yes | View → |
| RIHousing Spring7500 | Forgivable Loan | $7,500 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $25,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Varies — state deposits matching funds to participating lender to enable more affordable mortgage products
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $1,000 grant ($2,000 for veterans or active military)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $17,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 6% of purchase price or $20,000, whichever is lower
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $7,500
- 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 of West Bay and Northern RI Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable no-interest mortgage on Habitat-built home | Yes | View → |
| NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley Mutual Self-Help Housing Program | Grant | Up to $20,000 in savings through sweat equity construction | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable no-interest mortgage on Habitat-built home
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in savings through sweat equity construction
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most RIHousing programs require household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). Note that Cumberland is not one of the six communities targeted by the FirstGenHomeRI or Spring7500 programs, but buyers here are eligible for all other statewide RIHousing programs.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley offers HUD-approved homebuyer education classes and financial coaching in English and Spanish. Contact them at 401-762-0993. The Housing Network of Rhode Island also provides courses at 401-721-5680.
Step 3: Contact a local housing partner. Reach out to Habitat for Humanity of West Bay and Northern RI at (401) 732-6407 or email connect@habitatriwestbay.org. Their office is located at 690 Nate Whipple Hwy in Cumberland. They can help you explore affordable homeownership options.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an RIHousing-approved lender to get pre-approved. RIHousing programs like 15kDPA and Extra Assistance require using a participating lender. Visit rihousing.com for a list of approved lenders.
Step 5: Find a home within program guidelines. Some programs have purchase price limits. Work with your real estate agent to find a home in Cumberland that meets program requirements.
Step 6: Submit your applications. Your lender and housing counselor will help you apply for the DPA programs you qualify for. Processing times vary, so start early in your home search.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Cumberland?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Does Cumberland have its own down payment assistance program?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What affordable homeownership options does Habitat for Humanity offer in Cumberland?+−
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