NORA's Good Neighbor first look: 30 days ahead in New Orleans
Households that include a law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMT or pre-K through 12 teacher get an exclusive 30-day window to put HERO homes under contract, homes that carry up to $70,000 in soft second help.
NORA HERO 'Good Neighbor' first-look priority
Taking applications
Orleans Parish
Help available
Up to $70,000 HERO soft second (same as all HERO buyers); the occupational benefit is a 30-day exclusive window to contract
Kind of help
Deferred loan, due at sale or refinance
Who it's for
Households with a law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMT or pre-K-12 teacher
Homes come through NORA-selected developers; the 2026 developer window is Oct 21 - Dec 1, 2026, so inventory comes later.
The Good Neighbor priority is part of NORA's HERO program. It doesn't raise the subsidy: Good Neighbor buyers get the same HERO soft second as anyone else, up to $70,000 based on need. What they get is time. During the first 30 days a HERO home is listed, only Good Neighbor households may go under contract. After that, other eligible buyers can make offers. In a market where well-priced new homes can go quickly, that month can decide who gets the house.
Who counts as a Good Neighbor household
The household must include a law enforcement officer, firefighter, EMT or pre-K to 12 teacher. The household also has to meet HERO's general rules: income at or below 100% AMI, no principal residence owned in the prior three years, and living in the home for the full affordability period. Details are on the HERO soft second page. In New Orleans that could mean someone at NOPD, the New Orleans Fire Department, New Orleans EMS, the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office or a NOLA Public Schools campus; see the Orleans Parish guide for more. Our law enforcement and firefighter and EMS pages cover the state program for those jobs.
When the window opens
HERO homes come from NORA-selected developers. The 2026 developer application window runs October 21 to December 1, 2026, so the homes with this priority will be listed after awards are made. The first look matters only if you're ready to sign when a listing appears, which means having pre-approval in hand before the window opens.
How it compares with other hero programs
HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door serves the same four jobs but works differently: 50% off the list price of HUD-owned homes in revitalization areas, with a 36-month residency rule. The state's HomeStart Advantage started as Keys for Service for these workers and now covers every occupation. Our Good Neighbor Next Door guide compares them. Whether a HERO purchase can use a HomeStart Advantage first mortgage isn't stated, so a participating lender confirms whether they combine. To get your file ready, check your eligibility now.
What people ask about NORA HERO 'Good Neighbor' first-look priority
Do Good Neighbor buyers get more HERO money?
No. They receive the same HERO soft second of up to $70,000; the benefit is a 30-day exclusive window to contract.
Which jobs qualify for NORA's Good Neighbor priority?
Law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs and pre-K through 12 teachers.
When will Good Neighbor homes be available?
After NORA awards developers from the October 21 to December 1, 2026 application window.
Summarized from the program's official page as of November 2026. Funding and rules can change, so confirm the current terms with the program or a lender who takes part. Louisiana Down Payment Assistance has no connection to this program.
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