The City of Lowell has a federally funded program for down payment and closing cost assistance for first time home buyers. This program provides 4% of the purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.  This is a no-interest loan which does not need to be paid back until the house is sold, transferred or refinanced (if equity is taken).

Eligibility Requirements

 

Participants must complete a Pre-Application Interview before applying for assistance. This should be done prior to making an offer on a property. Call 978-459-8490 to schedule an appointment.

You must be a first time home buyer. (Veterans do not need to be first time home buyers but cannot currently own a home.)

The property you are purchasing must be in Lowell.

All members of the household must have a valid social security number.

The total debt ratio (calculated by the lender) cannot exceed 41%.

Buyers need to have 1-1/2% of their owns funds.

Buyers cannot have cash assets of more than $25,000 (excluding retirement savings).

Your household income cannot exceed the following:

Family Size                   Maximum Annual Household Income

1.                                             $45,500
2.                                             $52,000
3.                                             $58,500
4.                                             $65,000
5.                                             $70,200
6.                                             $75,400
7.                                             $80,600
8.                                             $85,800

Procedure to Apply

The homebuyer and the lender prepare all the necessary documents and submit them to the Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership (MVHP).  After reviewing the application for eligibility and completeness, the MVHP prepares the legal documents and submits the application to the City of Lowell's Division of Planning & Development. The funds are typically available three weeks after a COMPLETE application package is submitted to the City of Lowell.

Lenders should send complete packages to MVHP.

By Fed Ex or UPS                           By Regular Mail
MVHP                                               MVHP
10 Kirk Street                                  P.O. Box 1042
Lowell, MA  01852                         Lowell, MA  01853-1042

Required Documents

Please download the City of Lowell Application (on left under "Downloads") to view the list of required documents.

Please DO NOT FAX or E-MAIL application materials.

Please note that major mechanical problems in a house must be rectified by the seller prior to closing in order to receive down payment assistance.