How much can the Alexandria HAP program cover?
The City's Community Development Department offers up to $50,000 through its Homebuyer Assistance Program, plus another $5,000 if the house is in a Target Neighborhood, for a maximum of $55,000. The money can reduce principal, pay closing costs and cover up to half of the required down payment. It's a 0% subordinate mortgage with an affordability period of 5, 10 or 15 years depending on the amount; stay that long and nothing is owed, leave early and you repay a prorated share. The Target Neighborhoods are North Alexandria, the Business District, Lower Third, South Alexandria and Samtown/Woodside.
The 2026 guidelines, updated June 30, 2026, set income at 80% of area median: $46,400 for one person, $66,250 for four and $87,450 for eight. Prices are capped at $219,000 for an existing home and $284,000 for new construction. You must be a first-time buyer (no ownership in three years, with exceptions for some single parents, divorced people and displaced homemakers), buy within city limits, apply through a participating lender and take an 8-hour HUD-approved course the City pays for. Funding is limited each year, so call Vanity Givens at 318-449-5074 before you make an offer.
Because the program is for Alexandria proper, buyers in Pineville, Ball or Boyce need other options. CAFA First Home covers all of Rapides Parish with 4% of the loan as a forgivable second, and the statewide LHC loans are open too; CAFA and LHC are each a first mortgage, so you pick one. Rapides Parish School Board teachers and Alexandria Police and Fire staff can check the who-qualifies pages. The Rapides Parish guide compares the limits side by side.
What does Alexandria offer on its own?
City of Alexandria
- Help available
- 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
- Income cap
- 80% AMI (2026, effective 6/1/2026): $46,400 (1), $53,000 (2), $59,650 (3), $66,250 (4), $71,550 (5), $76,850 (6), $82,150 (7), $87,450 (8)
- Price cap
- $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.
Checked November 2026 · our sources
Read our full write-up →Parish programs open to buyers in Alexandria
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.
Checked November 2026 · our sources
Read our full write-up →What about statewide help?
On top of local programs, Alexandria buyers can use 1 programs that cover all of Louisiana, HomeStart Advantage (formerly Keys for Service) among them. Browse every Louisiana program or try the program matcher.
Parish guide: Rapides Parish.
Where can you take a homebuyer class near Rapides Parish?
Nearly every assistance program wants you to finish a homebuyer class before you close. These HUD-approved agencies are within reach of Rapides Parish and offer classes or one-on-one counseling before you buy:
| Counseling agency | Located in | How far | Offers | Meets you | Languages |
|---|
| Cenla Community Action Committee, Incorporated | Alexandria | 6 mi | Coaching | in person / by phone | English |
| Rapides Station Community Ministries | Alexandria | 9 mi | Class and coaching | by phone | English |
Taken from HUD's list of approved counseling agencies. Programs differ on which classes they accept.
Which class will count for you? Ask the loan officer handling your file. They know which courses each Louisiana program accepts, and they can get your pre-approval going in the same conversation.
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Alexandria questions we hear
What are the 2026 income limits for Alexandria's HAP?
80% of area median, effective June 1, 2026: $46,400 (1 person), $53,000 (2), $59,650 (3), $66,250 (4), $71,550 (5), $76,850 (6), $82,150 (7) and $87,450 (8).
Do I have to repay Alexandria's assistance?
Only if you leave before the 5, 10 or 15-year affordability period ends; then a prorated share is due. The loan carries 0% interest.
Which Alexandria neighborhoods get the extra $5,000?
The Target Neighborhoods: North Alexandria, the Business District, Lower Third, South Alexandria and Samtown/Woodside.
