Every Louisiana down payment program we could verify (2026)
Louisiana buyers can draw on a statewide LHC program, two regional bond programs and city or parish second mortgages. Below is every program we could verify, with who it serves, how much it pays and whether money is available now.
Assistance here comes in three layers. The Louisiana Housing Corporation runs the statewide HomeStart loans, including HomeStart Advantage (4% forgivable help, households up to $125,000, no first-time rule) and HomeStart Assist for first-time buyers. Two local finance authorities issue their own bond loans: CAFA First Home covers 61 parishes, and the Jefferson Parish Finance Authority (JPFA) covers Jefferson and a few neighboring parishes. On top of that, cities and parishes such as New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, Lafayette, Shreveport and Alexandria use federal CDBG or HOME money for second mortgages that are often much larger but come with lower income limits.
Each card lists who qualifies, the amount, the type of help and the limits we found. Open means reservations are being taken; Funding varies means the money is limited, usually first come, first served, so call before you count on it. Some programs are thin on detail: West Monroe's $25,000 MAD grant round closed with its May 1, 2026 deadline, Baton Rouge announced a 2026 first-time buyer initiative without publishing amounts, and Lafayette Consolidated Government's own program has conflicting published terms. Cards with a "Full guide" link open a detailed page for that program.
Free download: our Louisiana homebuyer checklist. The paperwork, the steps, the programs and the questions worth asking, all on one printable page. Get the checklist
Not sure which of these apply to you? The program matcher filters this list by parish, job and situation. Each listing was checked against the official source, and our sources page explains the process.
HomeStart Advantage (formerly Keys for Service)
HomeStart Advantage is the Louisiana Housing Corporation program formerly called Keys for Service. It began in 2023 for teachers and first responders and, since Sept. 9, 2026, is open to all occupations. It pairs a 30-year fixed mortgage with 4% of the loan as a 0% second mortgage that is forgiven after 5 years in the home, for households earning up to $125,000, and you don't have to be a first-time buyer. How it works · Am I eligible?
Up to $55,000 soft second (down payment/gap) plus up to $5,000 closing costs (CDBG pays at most 50% of total closing costs). The page's 'Assistance Available' box shows the two as alternatives ('OR'), while the body text says a buyer may receive both; confirm with OCD.
Kind of help
Deferred loan, due at sale or refinance
Who it's for
First-time homebuyers (no home owned in the past 3 years) buying in Orleans Parish
Income cap
80% AMI (2026 New Orleans HUD income chart linked on the page; dollar figures not captured)
Price cap
$324,000 maximum sales price
Only for first-time buyers?
Yes
Also worth knowing
HUD-approved homebuyer education; first mortgage from a City-approved lender (2026 lender list); state-approved closing agency; home in Orleans Parish
$1,000,000 in CDBG funds available as of January 2026 (page last updated 7/31/2026); the City says it adds funds as they become available. Contact Cedrica Sartin, 504-658-4244, cedrica.sartin@nola.gov. The older nola.gov/softseconds page (2019 $3M funding, updated 2024) is superseded.
Up to $70,000 soft second, based on documented need and underwriting
Kind of help
Deferred loan, due at sale or refinance
Who it's for
Buyers of homes built or renovated by NORA-selected developers; at or below 100% AMI; no principal residence owned in the prior 3 years
Income cap
100% AMI (latest HUD limits)
Only for first-time buyers?
Yes
Also worth knowing
Must qualify for a first mortgage and occupy as primary residence for the affordability period; may own no more than a 50% interest in other residential property. Buyers do not apply to NORA; they buy from participating developers. Can be layered with the City's soft second (NORA subordinates).
The Oct 21 - Dec 1, 2026 window is for DEVELOPER applications, so homes with HERO subsidy will come to market after awards. For the first 30 days of marketing, homes may go under contract only to 'Good Neighbor' households (law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMT, pre-K-12 teacher). NORA also runs NOHIP (developer program, 80% AMI buyers; developer window July 6 - Aug 6, 2026).
Maximum appraised value applies; dollar figure not published on the page
Only for first-time buyers?
Yes
Also worth knowing
Fixed-rate first mortgage from an approved lender (no ARMs, balloons or temporary buydowns); lender pre-approval before applying; Financial Fitness + First-Time Homebuyer Training certificates (valid 2 years); in-person interview; single-family, condo or manufactured home on owned land. Affordability period: 5 yrs (<$15k), 10 yrs ($15k-$40k), 15 yrs (>$40k); repayment due on default during the period.
Page does not state open/closed; says funding is not assured until all requirements are met. Type listed as 'forgivable' is inferred from the affordability-period structure; the page does not label it. Contact 504-736-6262, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd, Suite 605.
4% of the final loan amount for down payment/closing costs, plus a below-market fixed first mortgage (5.85% FHA/VA/USDA, 6.10% Fannie/Freddie as of the March 12, 2026 rate reduction)
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
First-time homebuyers buying in Jefferson Parish; first-time rule waived for veterans and targeted census tracts
Only for first-time buyers?
Yes
Also worth knowing
Apply through a participating lender. 0% soft second forgiven after 5 years.
Stacks with JPFA's $2,500 Heroes to Homeowners grant (see occupation_specific). This is a separate first mortgage, so it cannot be combined with an LHC HomeStart first mortgage. JPFA phone 504-736-6311.
Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Charles and St. Bernard Parishes
Help available
A fixed percentage of the note amount (percentage not stated in the guide) for down payment, closing costs and prepaids, with a 30-year fixed first mortgage
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
Buyers in the four parishes; no first-time homebuyer requirement
Income cap
$125,720 (FHA/USDA/VA/Fannie HFA Preferred); $71,840 for Fannie/Freddie 80% AMI offering
Price cap
Agency (FHA/VA/USDA/Fannie/Freddie) loan limits; no separate dollar cap
Only for first-time buyers?
No
Also worth knowing
0%, no payments, forgiven after month 60 (no pro-rata). Pre-closing homebuyer education for first-time buyers only. Plaquemines removed 09/02/25.
Guide revised 01/05/26. Separate first mortgage; pick this OR an LHC HomeStart loan. The DPA percentage wasn't in the guide text (rates and offerings are shown in the eHousingPlus system).
Community Development Initiatives 2026: first-time homebuyer component
Money may run out
City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish
Help available
Announced as 'access to 3% mortgages and down payment assistance'; no per-buyer amount published
Who it's for
First-time homebuyers
Only for first-time buyers?
Yes
Announced April 6, 2026 by Mayor-President Sid Edwards and OCD Director Kelly LeDuff as part of at least $6.3M in CDBG/HOME funds; the first home sold through it is on Lori Burgess Ave (WAFB/WBRZ). No program page, guidelines, income limits or application process published on brla.gov as of this session. Contact ocd@brla.gov, 225-389-3039. OCD also funds Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge new homes (HOME funds).
First Time Home Buyer Down Payment and Closing Costs Assistance Program
Money may run out
City of Lafayette and unincorporated Lafayette Parish
Help available
Conflicting: LCG brochure (rev. April 2021) says up to $11,000 as a 2% 15-year second-mortgage loan ($70.79/mo); a 2024 local news report says up to $20,000 as a deferred loan forgiven after 10 years. Confirm current terms with LCG.
Who it's for
Low-to-moderate income buyers who have not owned a primary residence in 3 years (displaced homemakers may qualify)
Complete LCG Home Ownership Training (HOT) course before closing; not available in Lafayette Parish's smaller municipalities (Youngsville, Broussard, Carencro, Scott etc.); no manufactured/mobile homes or duplexes
Brochure: https://lafayettela.gov/docs/default-source/community-development-documents/home-buyers-brochure.pdf . Contact 337-291-5450, HousingLoans@lafayettela.gov. Classes at the Jessie Livingston Taylor Center, 111 Shirley Picard Dr.
City of Shreveport (19 targeted HAPPI neighborhoods)
Help available
Up to 20% of the lesser of sales price or appraised value, depending on AMI; the 2017 program document caps it at $10,000 for existing homes and $20,000 for new construction
Who it's for
First-time homebuyers (no title in 3 years) at or below 80% AMI buying a primary residence in a HAPPI neighborhood
Income cap
80% AMI (HUD, City of Shreveport; the linked AMI chart is dated 2022)
Only for first-time buyers?
Yes
Also worth knowing
Homebuyer education for applicant and co-applicant; HAPPI-approved lender (2025 list); no HUD/VA/repossessed or manufactured homes; HUD property standards. Uses: down payment, closing costs, prepaids, principal reduction, rate buy-down.
Catholic Charities partnership announced December 2025 (KTAL). Caps come from a January 2017 document and may have changed. Contact 318-673-5900.
Up to $50,000, plus $5,000 more in a Target Neighborhood (max $55,000), for principal reduction, closing costs and up to 50% of the required down payment
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
First-time homebuyers (no ownership in 3 years; some single parents, divorced people and displaced homemakers qualify) buying within city limits
$219,000 existing / $284,000 new construction (2026 HOME value limits, 1 unit)
Only for first-time buyers?
Yes
Also worth knowing
8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer course (City pays); apply through a participating lender; 0% subordinate mortgage with 5/10/15-year affordability period, prorated repayment if you leave early
2026 guidelines final (updated 6/30/2026); FAQ rev. 7/1/2026. Target neighborhoods: North Alexandria, Business District, Lower Third, South Alexandria, Samtown/Woodside. Contact Vanity Givens, 318-449-5074.
CDBG/HOME limits (2025 chart linked; figures not captured)
Only for first-time buyers?
Yes
Also worth knowing
Includes financial coaching, HUD-certified counseling and rent reporting
The city page gives no amount. Interest form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HomeinMonroeProgramInterestForm . The 2024 brochure PDF could not be fetched this session.
Policies and online application on cityofwestmonroe.com
The application deadline was May 1, 2026, so the current round is closed. Source is a news report; the city page was not fetched. Mayor's Office 318-396-2600.
61 Louisiana parishes (all except Orleans, Jefferson and a few others)
Help available
4% of the total note amount for down payment, closing costs, prepaids or Realtor commission, with a 30-year fixed FHA/VA/USDA first mortgage
Kind of help
Forgivable second loan
Who it's for
First-time homebuyers; waived for veterans (DD-214, one-time use) and targeted census tracts
Income cap
Effective 05/01/26, non-targeted: $84,900 (1-2) / $97,635 (3+) in most parishes, up to $107,700 / $123,855 in St. Tammany; targeted areas: $101,880 / $118,860 up to $129,240 / $150,780
Price cap
$544,233 (1 unit, non-targeted); $665,173 (targeted)
Only for first-time buyers?
Yes
Also worth knowing
0% 5-year second: no forgiveness in months 1-36, then 1/24 forgiven each month. Homebuyer education for all buyers on title. Min FICO 620 (640 US Bank).
Guide published 05/13/26, rev. 07/20/26; program page https://thecafa.org/homebuyers/cafa-first-home (shows 7% government rate). This is a separate bond first mortgage: choose CAFA OR LHC HomeStart, not both. Essentially a second regional/statewide option with income and price limits close to LHC HomeStart Assist.
Education and healthcare employees, first responders, active or former military
Stacks with the JPFA Series 2025A bond program (4% forgivable DPA). Confirmed in the parish releases of Sept 10, 2025 and March 12, 2026 and a June 2026 JPFA feature. Income limits and the occupation-proof rules were not published.
USDA Rural Development in Louisiana: home loans with no down payment in qualifying rural and small-town areas.
HUD Good Neighbor Next Door: full-time teachers, police officers, firefighters and EMTs can buy certain HUD-owned homes in revitalization areas for half the list price, if they live in the home for three years. HUD Good Neighbor Next Door: full-time law enforcement officers, pre-K-12 teachers, firefighters and EMTs get 50% off the list price of HUD-owned homes in designated revitalization areas, with $100 down on FHA, and must live there 36 months. It can be combined with state/local assistance (see la.json). Whether Louisiana has current GNND listings was NOT checked this session; use the HUD Home Store search filtered to Louisiana. NORA's HERO program also gives these four occupations a 30-day first look in New Orleans.
FHA loan limits by parish: an FHA loan needs 3.5% down when your credit score is 580 or higher.
Can you combine programs?
Only one first mortgage fits on a home, so the bond programs are a pick-one choice: an LHC HomeStart loan, CAFA First Home, JPFA Series 2025A or JPFA Comfort of Home. Each brings its own assistance, and none of them can be paired with another one's first mortgage.
A few pairings are confirmed by the programs themselves. JPFA's $2,500 Heroes to Homeowners grant stacks with its Series 2025A bond loan. NORA's HERO soft second can be layered with the City of New Orleans soft second. LHC's Affordable Income Subsidy grant stacks with HomeStart Advantage or Assist for conventional borrowers at or below 80% of area median income, and HUD Good Neighbor Next Door can be combined with state or local help. For the city and parish CDBG/HOME seconds, no source we found says whether they sit behind an LHC loan, so a participating lender confirms whether they combine for your file.
Questions about the list
Is there a down payment grant in New Orleans?
The main help is a loan you don't repay monthly, not a grant. The City's Direct Homebuyer Soft Second offers up to $55,000 plus up to $5,000 for closing costs to first-time buyers at or below 80% AMI, and NORA's HERO soft second offers up to $70,000 on homes from NORA-selected developers. See the soft second guide.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get help in Louisiana?
Not for every program. HomeStart Advantage and JPFA Comfort of Home have no first-time rule. HomeStart Assist, CAFA First Home and most city programs require it, though the bond programs waive it for veterans and targeted census tracts.
Is there down payment assistance in Baton Rouge?
Yes. HomeStart Advantage and CAFA First Home both serve East Baton Rouge Parish. The City-Parish also announced a 2026 initiative offering first-time buyers access to 3% mortgages and down payment help, but no amounts or guidelines were published; contact ocd@brla.gov or 225-389-3039.
Are there Louisiana programs just for teachers and first responders?
HomeStart Advantage began in 2023 as Keys for Service for those workers and is now open to every occupation. Job-specific options today are JPFA's $2,500 Heroes to Homeowners grant in Jefferson Parish, NORA's 30-day Good Neighbor first look in New Orleans and HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door.
Can I use CAFA First Home and HomeStart Advantage together?
No. Both are first mortgage programs, so you choose one. Compare the 4% help, forgiveness schedule, credit minimums and income limits, then pick the one that fits. Check your eligibility to see where you stand.
What help is available in Lafayette Parish?
The Lafayette Community Development Fund offers up to $8,000 as a repayable second mortgage, CAFA First Home serves the parish, and HomeStart Advantage works statewide. Lafayette Consolidated Government also runs a program, but its published terms conflict, so confirm them with LCG at 337-291-5450.
We summarized these from official program pages as of November 2026. Money and rules shift, so confirm with the program or a lender who takes part.
Got it. You're on the list.
We'll reach out when it reopens. Curious what you could use right now?
Hey there, I'm Denise. See if you're eligible for down payment assistance in Louisiana. It's a handful of questions and maybe two minutes of your time.
