MassDREAMS (Delivering Real Equity and Mortgage Stability) is an unprecedented down payment and closing costs assistance grant that offers up to $50,000 to borrowers at 100% or less of AMI and $35,000 to borrowers between 101% - 135% of AMI to help them achieve the dream of homeownership. 

This program is designed to empower low-and moderate-income first-time homebuyers in 29 communities that were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These are the 26 Gateway Cities plus Boston, Framingham and Randolph. It is jointly administered by MassHousing and The Massachusetts Housing Partnership.

The barriers to homeownership in Massachusetts are many – low inventory of homes for sale, interest rates that are double what they were a year ago, not enough new homes being built, and higher than ever home prices.

Many first-time buyers in your district have been left out due to these seemingly insurmountable obstacles. MassDREAMS can revive the dream of homeownership for many buyers with modest incomes – many of whom are persons of color. 

Anyone who is interested in more details about whether they may qualify for one of these grants can begin that process here: www.mymasshome.org

Briefly, here are the eligibility criteria:

- Applicants must currently live in one of the 26 Gateway Cities, Boston, Framingham or Randolph (proof of residency will be required).

- They must be a first-time homebuyer.

- They must have a signed purchase & sale agreement for a home in any Massachusetts community (they are not required to purchase in one of the disproportionately impacted communities).

- They must be approved for a home mortgage loan from a lender who partners with eitherMassHousing or the Massachusetts Housing Partnership.

- The home must be a single family, 2-, 3-, or 4-family home that will be used as the buyer’s primary residence.

- Applicants must meet income and other eligibility criteria.

To complete pre-screening: 

1. Go to mymasshome.org/apply
2. Complete the pre-screening questionnaire 
3. If you meet the initial qualifying criteria, you will receive an eligibility letter via email 
4. Contact a lender that partners with either MassHousing or the Massachusetts Housing Partnership on the MassDREAMS program. 
5. Provide the MassDREAMS eligibility letter to the lender 
6. Work with the lender to apply for a MassHousing or Massachusetts Housing Partnership home mortgage loan.

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