This program offers pre-qualified homebuyers access to foreclosed single-family, two-family, or three-family units in specific neighborhoods of Boston - before the property is listed on the market. Properties are offered to eligible applicants through a housing lottery.

What are the benefits?

• Purchase a foreclosed home at an affordable price
• Get access to great homebuying opportunities before they go on the market
• Receive financial assistance to help with the purchase*

Who is eligible?

• Must have an email address to receive periodic notifications
• Must be a graduate of Homebuying 101
• Property must serve as primary residence, and buyer may not own any other real estate
• Must be able to contribute at least 3.0% of savings toward the purchase price, and be able to obtain mortgage financing 
• Must not have assets exceeding $75,000 (view Asset Limitation Policy )
• Must have a household income that does not exceed 120% of Area Median Income as determined by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Must have a pre-approval letter from one of these participating mortgage lenders.

What types of properties are eligible?

• Certain foreclosed single, two-family, and three-family properties located in the Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Roxbury neighborhoods of Boston, which the Boston Home Center has access to through its partnerships with local banks.

How do I apply and what happens next?

1. Apply to participate in the program
   Individuals may apply to be eligible for the program, rather than for a particular property. The Boston Home Center will ask you to complete the following forms: 
   
   
• BHC Application for 1st Home
• BHC No Income Affidavit, if applicable
• BHC No Child Support Affidavit, if applicable
  
  
2. Attend an open house and be entered to participate in a lottery
   Qualified applicants will be contacted about a particular homebuying opportunity and invited to view the property at an open house. Attendees of the open house may elect to enter their names in a lottery for that property, to take place on the next business day following the open house. Please note, applicants must be present at an open house in order to be entered in a lottery, and a lottery will not be held if there is only one interested buyer.

Qualified applicants may chose to participate in each and every lottery for which they appear eligible for a period not to exceed 6 months. Eligible lottery participants will be notified at an open house of the lottery date and location, although they are not required to be present for the drawing.

3. Graduate from an approved homebuyer education program before you purchase
   You must complete a Homebuying 101 class through the Boston Home Center or through one of our approved partner agencies prior to purchasing a home.

Have questions?
For more information about the 1st Home program, call:

The Boston Home Center
Department of Neighborhood Development
Phone: 617.635.HOME (4663)
Email: HomeCenter.DND@cityofboston.gov

* This program is made possible by HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program, and is subject to funding availability (and other restrictions).

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