For many Massachusetts homeowners, aging in place or supporting a family member with a disability can mean rethinking how a home works day to day. The state’s Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) offers a practical, affordable way to make those improvements possible—helping residents create homes that are safer, more comfortable, and more independent for everyone who lives there.
What Is the Home Modification Loan Program?
The Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) is a Massachusetts state initiative that provides zero-interest, deferred-payment loans to help homeowners fund accessibility upgrades. The program is designed for residents who:
- Have a disability, or
- Live with a family member who has a disability, or
- Are age 60 or older
These loans can be used to make a range of accessibility modifications, such as:
- Accessible bathroom and kitchen remodels
- Ramps, stair lifts, or platform lifts
- Sensory or therapy rooms
- Hard-wired alarm systems or fencing
- Even Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) designed to support multi-generational living
That’s right—ADUs qualify. For homeowners exploring an in-law suite, caregiver apartment, or accessible backyard home, the HMLP can help cover the cost of construction or adaptation, making an ADU an even more viable solution for long-term housing needs.
Why This Matters
Massachusetts is home to an aging population and rising housing costs. Many families are turning to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to create flexible housing—spaces where parents, adult children, or caregivers can live independently but nearby. However, the upfront cost of accessibility upgrades can be a barrier.
The HMLP helps bridge that gap by offering financing that is:
- Interest-free — homeowners pay back only what they borrow.
- Deferred until sale or transfer — no monthly payments required while you remain in your home.
- Tailored to accessibility needs — modifications must directly support the independence of someone with a disability or an older adult.
How to Apply
To determine eligibility, you’ll need to show documentation of need and meet income-based guidelines. The program is administered through the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) in partnership with MassAbility.
You can learn more or start the application process here:
👉 Find Out If You Qualify – Home Modification Loan Program
Or contact the program directly:
Susan Gillam
Home Modification Loan Program
18 Tremont Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02108
📧 sgillam@cedac.org
📞 1-866-500-5599 or 857-939-7227
How Dwelly Can Help
At Dwelly, we believe home design should evolve with you. Whether you’re building an accessible ADU for a loved one or modifying your existing home to better support aging in place, our team can help you plan, design, and permit a high-performance, barrier-free space.
Our Planning Package can be used in conjunction with HMLP funding to explore site feasibility, cost estimates, and layout options that meet both accessibility and sustainability goals.
Let’s make home work better—for everyone.
If you’re thinking about adding an ADU or accessibility upgrade under the HMLP, contact Dwelly to start a conversation about your goals.
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