Shreveport's HAPPI program helps first-time buyers purchase in 19 targeted neighborhoods, with homebuyer classes through Catholic Charities of North Louisiana.
How does Shreveport's HAPPI program work?
HAPPI, the Home Buyers Assistance Program Participation Initiative, is run by the City of Shreveport's Department of Community Development and is open. It pays up to 20% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is lower, with the share set by your income. The 2017 program document caps that at $10,000 for an existing home and $20,000 for new construction; those caps may have been updated, so ask when you call 318-673-5900. The money can go to down payment, closing costs, prepaids, principal reduction or a rate buy-down.
Three rules narrow who can use it. The home must be your primary residence in one of 19 targeted HAPPI neighborhoods, not anywhere in the city. You must be a first-time buyer with no title in three years and earn at or below 80% of area median (the City's linked chart is dated 2022). And the loan has to come from a HAPPI-approved lender on the 2025 list. HUD, VA and repossessed homes and manufactured homes are excluded, and the house must meet HUD property standards. Both the applicant and co-applicant take homebuyer education; since December 2025, Catholic Charities of North Louisiana handles outreach and classes for the City.
Across Caddo Parish, CAFA First Home adds 4% of the loan as a forgivable second with a bond-rate mortgage, though it replaces an LHC HomeStart loan instead of stacking with it. Whether HAPPI can sit on top of a CAFA or LHC first mortgage isn't stated in the sources, so confirm with a HAPPI lender. No city program was found in neighboring Bossier City. Caddo Parish Public Schools teachers and Shreveport Police and Fire employees can also check the who-qualifies pages. See the Caddo Parish guide for limits.
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.
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, Shreveport 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 Caddo Parish?
Nearly every assistance program wants you to finish a homebuyer class before you close. These HUD-approved agencies are within reach of Caddo Parish and offer classes or one-on-one counseling before you buy:
Counseling agency
Located in
How far
Offers
Meets you
Languages
The Highland Center Corporation
Shreveport
10 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
Shreveport questions we hear
Which Shreveport neighborhoods qualify for HAPPI?
Nineteen targeted HAPPI neighborhoods set by the City's Department of Community Development. The home must be in one of them; call 318-673-5900 to check an address.
How much can HAPPI pay?
Up to 20% of the lower of sales price or appraised value, based on income. A 2017 City document caps it at $10,000 for existing homes and $20,000 for new construction; confirm current caps with the City.
Who teaches the HAPPI homebuyer class?
Catholic Charities of North Louisiana, which partnered with the City in December 2025 for outreach and homebuyer classes. The applicant and co-applicant both attend.
DeniseYour Louisiana program guide
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