Market Context
Massachusetts homebuyers face high upfront costs before they can close on a home. Down payment funds, closing costs, prepaid expenses and mortgage-related fees can create a major barrier even when a buyer can qualify for a mortgage.
First-time buyers often need both mortgage approval and cash available at closing. A targeted homebuyer program can help reduce that upfront burden, especially in markets where entry-level housing costs remain difficult to absorb.
What This Program Provides
The Brockton $5,000 Forgivable Grant – First-Time Homebuyers program provides up to $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing a primary residence in Brockton, Massachusetts.
The program is operated by NeighborWorks Housing Solutions. Funding comes from the Rockland Federal Credit Union Charitable Foundation, also identified as The Pebble Promise Foundation.
The grant can be used for:
- Down payment assistance
- Closing cost assistance
- Upfront mortgage insurance premiums
- Other applicable mortgage costs related to the home purchase
This is an upfront cost assistance program. It is designed to reduce the cash a buyer needs to bring into the transaction, not to lower the ongoing monthly mortgage payment.
Program Structure
This program provides assistance as a grant. The grant amount is $5,000 per eligible household.
No repayment is required. The funds are described as a fully forgivable grant with no repayment required, regardless of future sale or refinance.
The program carries a 0% interest rate. Because the assistance is structured as a grant rather than a repayable loan, no ongoing payment is attached to the assistance.
The program is subject to funding availability. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on available funds for the program year.
Key Numbers
- Maximum assistance: $5,000
- Minimum assistance: Not publicly disclosed
- Assistance amount calculation: $5,000
- Minimum borrower contribution: 1.5% of the borrower’s own funds toward the transaction
- Interest rate: 0%
- Repayment required: No
- Income limit: 120% of area median income within Plymouth County
- Minimum household income: Not publicly disclosed
- Credit score requirement: Not publicly disclosed
- First-time homebuyer lookback period: Applicant must not have owned a home in the past three years
- Property units allowed: One- to four-family homes and condominiums
- Number of applications allowed: One application per household
- Maximum purchase price: Not publicly disclosed
- First mortgage requirement: Mortgage loan must be under HUD’s conforming loan limits for the area
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the program’s buyer and financial eligibility rules before assistance can be approved.
Key eligibility requirements include:
- Applicant must be a first-time homebuyer.
- Applicant must not have owned a home in the past three years.
- Household income must be within program limits.
- Maximum household income is 120% of area median income within Plymouth County.
- Household size is used to determine income eligibility.
- Income from all working household members over age 18 is counted, including non-related individuals.
- Foster children and foster adults are excluded from household income calculations.
- Live-in aides and children of live-in aides are excluded from household size calculations.
- Applicant must complete a HUD and CHAPA certified First Time Homebuyer Education program.
- Applicant must have a valid First Time Homebuyer Certificate.
- Applicant must have a signed purchase and sales agreement before applying.
- Applicant must secure a mortgage loan under HUD’s conforming loan limits for the area.
- Applicant must contribute 1.5% of their own funds toward the transaction.
- Only one application per household will be accepted.
- Citizenship status requirements are not publicly disclosed.
- Participating lender requirements are not publicly disclosed.
- Approved first mortgage types are not publicly disclosed; buyers are instructed to contact the lender.
Property Requirements
The property must meet location, occupancy and property-type rules.
Eligible property requirements include:
- Property must be located within the city limits of Brockton, Massachusetts.
- Property must be in Plymouth County.
- Property must be used as the buyer’s primary residence.
- Eligible property types include one- to four-family homes.
- Condominiums are eligible.
- Second homes are not eligible.
- Vacation homes are not eligible.
- Non-owner-occupied investment properties are not eligible.
- The mortgage loan must be under HUD’s conforming loan limits for the area.
How the Process Works
- Get pre-approved for a mortgage.
- Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer workshop.
- Find a home and submit an offer.
- Obtain a signed purchase and sales agreement before applying.
- Complete and submit the DPCCG application with required documents.
- Provide required income documentation, tax returns, loan documents, purchase agreement, education certificate and identification.
- Receive conditional approval once eligibility is confirmed.
- Complete underwriting.
- Meet the minimum 1.5% buyer contribution requirement from personal funds.
- Receive final approval and a commitment letter.
- NeighborWorks Housing Solutions disburses funds at closing.
- Close on the home.
Affordability Impact
This program reduces the upfront cash required to purchase a home in Brockton. The $5,000 grant can be applied toward down payment, closing costs, upfront mortgage insurance premiums or other applicable mortgage costs tied to the purchase.
The buyer must still meet standard down payment requirements and contribute at least 1.5% of their own funds toward the transaction. If earnest money does not satisfy that 1.5% requirement, the borrower must bring the remaining amount to closing.
This program does not reduce the monthly payment. It reduces upfront cash required.
Geographic Context
Massachusetts has a wide range of local and regional homebuyer programs, and eligibility often depends on where the property is located. This program is specifically tied to the City of Brockton, which means buyers purchasing elsewhere in Massachusetts must use a different application or seek a different source of assistance.
For example, a buyer purchasing in Brockton may be considered for this limited-time Brockton First Time Homebuyer Grant Program, while a buyer purchasing in the New Bedford or Fall River area is directed to a separate assistance resource. Location determines which application and program path applies.
Fine Print and Gray Areas
Several program details require direct confirmation before a buyer relies on this grant in a transaction.
The approved first mortgage types are not publicly disclosed. The program states that first mortgage compatibility is subject to participating lender specifications, but participating lenders are not publicly listed in the provided data.
The credit score requirement is not publicly disclosed. Buyers should confirm whether the first mortgage lender, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions or both impose minimum credit standards.
The program is also subject to the availability of funds. NeighborWorks Housing Solutions reserves the right to adjust program terms, including maximum grant amounts and other requirements, based on funding availability or housing policy changes.
Contact Information
NeighborWorks Housing Solutions operates the program.
Provider details:
- Provider: NeighborWorks Housing Solutions
- Provider type: Nonprofit organization
- Address: 68 Legion Parkway, Brockton, MA 02301
- Main phone: 617-770-2227
- Main email: info@nhsmass.org
- Program email: Lending@nhsmass.org
- Program phone: 617-770-2227
- Program webpage: https://nhsmass.org/downpayment-assistance/
Additional program information also lists:
- Phone: 781-422-4220
- Email: Lending@nhsmass.org
- Website: www.nhsmass.org
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