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Down Payment Assistance

Great Barrington, Massachusetts

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Assistance

10%

Of the purchase price, as the program sets it

Income limit

100% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is Down Payment Assistance?

Down Payment Assistance is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

  • The Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust Fund (GBAHTF), established by Town Meeting vote in May 2017 under MGL Chapter 44 Section 55C, provides up to 10% of the purchase price (max $25,000) as a 0% interest no-payment loan to income-qualified first-time homebuyers purchasing in the Town of Great Barrington. The Trust also operates rental assistance, ADU assistance, and home-rehab programs. The DPA program is intended to be stackable with state and federal programs to maximize affordability in Berkshire County's high-cost market.
  • 0% interest no-payment loan of up to 10% of purchase price (capped at $25,000) for income-qualified first-time homebuyers purchasing in the Town of Great Barrington. Funded by the Great Barrington Affordable Housing Trust Fund (established by 2017 Town Meeting under MGL Ch.44 Sec.55C). Loan is repayable upon sale, refinance with cash-out, or transfer.
  • combinable with other programs including MassHousing FTHB, ONE Mortgage, and FHLBank Boston grants.
  • Funding comes from Local Government, Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and Private.

How much assistance does it provide?

Down Payment Assistance provides assistance worth 10% of the purchase price, as set by the program.

  • The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Down Payment Assistance is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

  • Repayment is triggered by 0% interest no-payment loan and principal repayable in full upon sale, refinance with cash-out, transfer of title, or loss of primary-residence status.
  • The assistance is recorded in 2 position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Down Payment Assistance is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: First-time homebuyer (no ownership in prior 3 years) or displaced homemaker.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Determined by first-mortgage lender.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Construct, Inc. (Berkshire County HUD-approved housing counseling agency); 8-hour pre-purchase certificate required.
  • Residency: Property must be in Town of Great Barrington and the buyer's primary residence.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen per municipal rules.
  • First-time homebuyer (no ownership in prior 3 years); income-qualified household (typically at or below 100% AMI for the Pittsfield HMFA, approx $71,050 1-person to $133,980 8-person FY26); property must be in Town of Great Barrington and the buyer's primary residence; complete HUD-approved homebuyer education through Construct, Inc.; no minimum credit score set by Trust (lender-determined).

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 100% of area median income

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

Down Payment Assistance limits household income to 100% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income at or below 100% AMI Pittsfield HMFA (Berkshire County): ~$71,050 1-person; $81,200 2-person; $91,350 3-person; $101,500 4-person; up to ~$133,980 8-person (FY26).
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • The program lists a maximum household size of 8.
  • Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Down Payment Assistance caps the purchase price as follows: No fixed cap; loan capped at lesser of 10% of purchase price or $25,000.

  • Eligible property types include Single-family detached, Townhouse, and Condominium.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Down Payment Assistance serves buyers purchasing in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

How do you apply?

Applications for Down Payment Assistance go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Construct, Inc. (Berkshire County HUD-approved housing counseling agency); 8-hour pre-purchase certificate required..

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Trust Fund Board reviews applications on a rolling basis; awards subject to Trust appropriation., and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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