The City-Parish announced a first-time homebuyer push in April 2026, but its rules haven't been published yet. Here's what is known and what you can use today.
Is there a Baton Rouge program a buyer can apply for today?
Not in a form you can fill out yet. On April 6, 2026, Mayor-President Sid Edwards and the Office of Community Development announced Community Development Initiatives 2026, a package of at least $6.3 million in CDBG and HOME money aimed at blight and homeownership. Its first-time homebuyer part was described as giving buyers "access to 3% mortgages and down payment assistance." The City-Parish has not posted a program page, a per-buyer amount, income limits or an application on brla.gov, so we list it as funding-dependent. Local TV reported the first home sold through the effort, on Lori Burgess Avenue. If you want in early, email ocd@brla.gov or call 225-389-3039 and ask to be told when guidelines go live.
OCD also puts HOME funds into new houses built by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, which is a separate path with its own application through Habitat.
While the city program takes shape, the tool most Baton Rouge buyers can actually use is CAFA First Home. The Capital Area Finance Authority pairs a 30-year fixed bond mortgage with 4% of the loan as a 0% second that starts forgiving after month 36. It is a first mortgage of its own, so you pick CAFA or an LHC HomeStart loan, not both. The first-time rule is waived for veterans and in targeted census tracts. Teachers in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, Central or Zachary schools and staff at Baton Rouge Police, Fire or EMS should also read the who-qualifies pages for the occupation rules in the state programs. The East Baton Rouge Parish guide has the income and price limits, and the eligibility check lets a loan officer compare CAFA against LHC for you.
What does Baton Rouge offer on its own?
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).
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.
On top of local programs, Baton Rouge 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.
Where can you take a homebuyer class near East Baton Rouge Parish?
Nearly every assistance program wants you to finish a homebuyer class before you close. These HUD-approved agencies are within reach of East Baton Rouge Parish and offer classes or one-on-one counseling before you buy:
Counseling agency
Located in
How far
Offers
Meets you
Languages
Urban Restoration Enhancement Corporation
Baton Rouge
7 mi
Class and coaching
in person / by phone / online
English
Mid City Redevelopment Alliance
Baton Rouge
7 mi
Class and coaching
by phone
English
Integrity Homebuyer Association, Incorporated
Gonzales
25 mi
Class and coaching
in person / by phone / online
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. Start the check
Baton Rouge questions we hear
How much down payment help does the Baton Rouge 2026 initiative give?
No per-buyer amount has been published. The April 2026 announcement only described access to 3% mortgages and down payment assistance as part of at least $6.3 million in CDBG and HOME funds.
Who runs first-time buyer help in Baton Rouge?
The Mayor-President's Office of Community Development for the City-Parish. Contact it at ocd@brla.gov or 225-389-3039.
Can I use CAFA First Home and an LHC loan together in Baton Rouge?
No. CAFA First Home is its own bond-funded first mortgage, so you choose it or an LHC HomeStart first mortgage.
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.
