Department 04 Financing Division

The Bank
Vault

Every homeowner deserves financing options.
With 55+ programs available, we'll find the right path for your ADU project.

55+
Financing Programs
100%
Free to Explore
$0
To Get Started

Every yard deserves an ADU. From factory-built container homes to custom luxury builds & everything in between — there's a fit for every yard, every budget, and every family legacy. Find them all at The ADU Exchange.

Just Launched

MassHousing ADU Loan Program is NOW LIVE — Second mortgages up to $250K at 5.25% fixed rate. Apply Now →

Sponsored
Elite Founding Partner Verified by The ADU Exchange
The ADU Exchange
ContainerSolutions — Container Homes Built Faster & Smarter
East Providence, RI · Serving RI · MA · CT

Tomorrow Starts NOW.

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Corten Steel Build
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Factory-built. Not 6–12 months.
License GC-52761 Tour Our Flagship Core40 State Approved Made in USA
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Complete Program Directory

All Your Financing Options

From federal programs to local grants, we've compiled every available option for Massachusetts and Rhode Island homeowners.

Federal Programs

Government-backed financing with competitive rates

FHA
3.5% Down

FHA 203(k) Renovation Loan

Finance your ADU construction as part of your home purchase or refinance. Includes renovation costs in one loan.

  • Credit scores from 580
  • Up to $35,000 for Standard
  • Unlimited for Full 203(k)
Check Eligibility
VA
0% Down

VA Renovation Loan

Veterans and active military can finance ADU construction with no down payment and no PMI required.

  • No down payment required
  • No PMI ever
  • Competitive rates
Check Eligibility
FANNIE MAE
3% Down

HomeStyle Renovation

Conventional loan option for ADU construction. Finance up to 75% of the "as-completed" value.

  • Up to 75% of future value
  • 620+ credit score
  • Single close option
Check Eligibility
FREDDIE MAC
3% Down

CHOICERenovation

Similar to HomeStyle with flexible renovation financing including ADU construction projects.

  • Resilience improvements eligible
  • 620+ credit score
  • Energy efficiency bonuses
Check Eligibility
USDA
0% Down

USDA Rural Development

Zero-down financing for eligible rural and suburban areas. Many MA/RI towns qualify!

  • No down payment
  • Low mortgage insurance
  • Income limits apply
Check Eligibility
New Policy
FANNIE MAE
Income Boost

ADU Rental Income for Qualifying

Fannie Mae now allows ADU rental income to count toward mortgage qualification. Use projected rent from your ADU to help qualify for a purchase or refinance.

  • ADU rent counts toward qualifying
  • Capped at 30% of total income
  • DU 12.1 updated Q1 2026
  • Purchase & limited cash-out refi
View Policy Details
Mar 2026
FANNIE MAE
Expanded

Expanded ADU Property Eligibility

Effective March 31, 2026, Fannie Mae expands eligibility for properties with ADUs — including manufactured homes with ADUs and multi-unit properties.

  • Broader ADU definitions
  • MH + ADU combos eligible
  • Effective March 31, 2026
View Details
HUD
No Equity Needed

HUD Title 1 Property Improvement

Government-insured loans for home improvements. No equity required for loans up to $25,000.

  • Up to $25k unsecured
  • Up to $60k secured
  • 20-year terms available
Check Eligibility
Sponsored
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Isaksen Solar Fall River, MA

Power Your ADU From the Sun.

Locally owned. Complete solar + battery systems — engineered for your ADU.

600+ reviews
ADU Rooftop Solar
Custom-designed for ADU rooflines. American-made.
Battery Backup
Full-home backup during outages.
EV Charging Station
Level 2 charger. $0 fuel cost.
25-Year Warranty
24/7 monitoring. 72hr service.
Licensed  MA · RI · NH · ME · VT Locally Owned Made in USA BBB
508-988-8888

Massachusetts State Programs

State-sponsored financing and incentives for MA homeowners

NOW LIVE
MASSHOUSING
5.25% Fixed

MassHousing ADU Loan Program

Second mortgages for ADU construction — fixed-rate with deferred zero-percent matching funds to lower effective rates. Applications open statewide as of March 17, 2026.

  • Up to $250,000 (detached)
  • Up to $150,000 (attached)
  • 5.25% fixed rate, 20-year term
  • Income limit: 135% of area median
Apply Now at Mass.gov
Popular
MASS SAVE
0% Interest

Mass Save HEAT Loan

0% interest financing for energy-efficient ADU construction. Combine with insulation and HVAC upgrades.

  • 0% APR — 3, 5, or 7 yr terms (income-tiered)
  • Up to $25,000
  • Must include efficiency upgrades
Check Eligibility
LOCAL
Grant Funding

Community Preservation Act (CPA)

Some MA municipalities offer CPA funds for affordable ADU development. Check your town's program.

  • Grant funding available
  • Town-specific programs
  • Affordability requirements
Check Your Town
New
MHP
$10M Fund

MHP ADU Incentive Program

$10M over 2 years from the Governor's Capital Investment Plan. Technical assistance, predevelopment support, and financial help for homeowners navigating ADU construction.

  • Predevelopment funding
  • Technical assistance included
  • Full launch spring 2026
Sign Up for Updates
Coming Soon
DESIGN
Free Plans

MA ADU Design Challenge

Free, ready-to-use ADU floor plans coming late April 2026. Winning designs from the statewide challenge will be publicly available — saving homeowners thousands in design costs.

  • $60K+ in prizes awarded
  • Free downloadable plans
  • Code-compliant designs
Learn More

Rhode Island State Programs

State-sponsored financing and incentives for RI homeowners

RIHOUSING
Low Rates

RIHousing Home Repair

Low-interest loans for home repairs and improvements including ADU projects for income-qualifying households.

  • Below-market rates
  • Deferred payment options
  • Income limits apply
Check Eligibility
ENERGY
0% Interest

Rhode Island Energy HEAT Loan

0% financing for energy efficiency improvements. Perfect for building an energy-efficient ADU.

  • 0% APR financing
  • Up to $25,000
  • Must meet efficiency standards
Check Eligibility
RI COMMERCE
Tax Credits

RI Residential Tax Credits

Various tax credit programs for energy efficiency and housing development in Rhode Island.

  • Solar investment credits
  • Energy efficiency rebates
  • Historic preservation credits
Check Eligibility

Traditional Bank Financing

Leverage your home equity or secure construction financing

HELOC

Home Equity Line of Credit. Draw funds as needed during construction.

Call our financing partners for current rates

Home Equity Loan

Fixed-rate lump sum based on your home's equity. Predictable payments.

Call our financing partners for current rates

Cash-Out Refinance

Refinance your mortgage and pull out equity for ADU construction.

Call our financing partners for current rates

Construction Loan

Short-term financing during build, converts to permanent mortgage.

Construction-to-Perm available

Grants & Tax Incentives

Free money and tax benefits you shouldn't miss

Expired
FEDERAL
Sunset

Residential Clean Energy Credit (IRC §25D)

  • 30% credit terminated for systems placed in service after Dec 31, 2025 (One Big Beautiful Bill)
  • Unused credit from 2025 returns can still be carried forward indefinitely
  • Solar leases & PPAs still qualify under §48E through 2027
  • State & utility rebates remain available (Mass Save, RI Energy)
  • Consult a tax professional for your specific situation
Expired
FEDERAL
Sunset

Energy Efficient Home Credit (§25C)

Federal heat pump, insulation, and window credits ended for property placed in service after Dec 31, 2025. Mass Save HEAT Loan & rebates are now the primary path forward.

  • • Heat pumps: ended Dec 31, 2025
  • • Insulation: ended Dec 31, 2025
  • • Windows/doors: ended Dec 31, 2025
LOCAL
Varies

Municipal ADU Incentives

Some towns offer permit fee waivers, density bonuses, or development grants for ADUs.

Check Your Municipality

Special Circumstance Programs

Targeted programs for specific homeowner groups

Veterans

VA loans, SAH grants, and special programs for service members.

Learn More →

Seniors (62+)

Reverse mortgage options and age-in-place programs.

Learn More →

First-Time Buyers

Buy a home with ADU potential using special first-time buyer programs.

Learn More →

Income-Qualified

Subsidized rates, down payment assistance, and the new MassHousing ADU Loan Program (income limits at 135% AMI).

Learn More →
Stay Informed

Regulation Updates & Alerts

What's changed and what's now active across federal, MA, and RI programs as of 2026.

ACTIVE
Massachusetts

MA ADU By-Right Law In Effect

The Affordable Homes Act took effect Feb 2, 2025 — every single-family zone in MA now allows ADUs by-right. Over 1,200 ADU permits issued statewide in the first year.

Statewide & active
EXPIRED
Federal

Federal Solar & Energy Credits Sunset

The One Big Beautiful Bill ended IRC §25D (30% solar) and §25C (heat pumps, insulation, windows) for systems placed in service after Dec 31, 2025. Solar leases & PPAs still qualify under §48E through 2027.

Plan accordingly
MAR 2026
Federal

Fannie Mae DU 12.1 — ADU Income Live

Desktop Underwriter now automatically counts ADU rental income (capped at 30% of total qualifying income) on one-unit primary residences for purchase & limited cash-out refis.

Bigger loan amounts now possible
NOW LIVE
Massachusetts

MassHousing ADU Loan Program

First-of-its-kind state ADU financing — second mortgages up to $250K (detached) or $150K (attached) at 5.25% fixed for 20 years. Income limits at 135% AMI. Live since March 17, 2026.

Accepting applications statewide
MAY 2026
Massachusetts

MA ADU Design Challenge Winners

Governor Healey announced 8 winning ADU designs on May 1, 2026 from over 100 submissions. Free, code-compliant plans publishing on mass.gov — could save homeowners thousands in design costs.

Free plans coming soon
ACTIVE
Rhode Island

RI ADUs By-Right Statewide

All 39 RI municipalities must allow ADUs by-right (up to 900 sf for 1-bedroom, 1,200 sf for 2-bedroom). RIHousing offers FHA 203(k) financing for attached and interior ADUs — including refinance.

Active across all 39 cities & towns
For Lenders & Loan Officers
Become a VERIFIED ADU Financing Partner
The ADU Exchange connects homeowners with trusted, verified financing professionals who understand ADU-specific lending. Get listed in The Bank Vault, appear alongside our curated program directory, and be the lender homeowners turn to when they're ready to fund their build.
🏦
Secure Your Partnership Today
Limited spots per region
🎯
Reach Homeowners at the Right Moment
Homeowners on our platform are actively researching ADU financing. They're browsing loan programs, comparing options, and looking for a lender who gets it. Your listing meets them exactly when they're making that decision.
🏆
Stand Out as the ADU Expert
Most loan officers can't explain an FHA 203(k) vs. a construction-to-perm loan for ADUs. Verified partners are positioned as specialists — the go-to professional when a borrower's regular bank says "we don't do that."
🧰
Free Tools That Help You Close
Every partner gets access to our Objection Crusher, Pre-Qual Worksheet, and Financing Encyclopedia — interactive tools you can use with clients to match them to the right program, overcome hesitation, and move to application faster.
The ADU Market Is Moving — Don't Get Left on the Outside
Massachusetts now requires every municipality to allow ADUs by right. Homeowners across the state are exploring their options right now — and they're looking for financing partners who understand this space. The lenders who establish themselves early will own the referral relationships for years to come. Partner spots are limited per region. If you're not inside The Bank Vault, your competitor will be.
Apply Now →