Parish seatShreveport
People224,226
Income cap, 3+$97,635
Highest price$554,850
What should you know about buying in Caddo Parish?
Caddo Parish anchors northwest Louisiana. Caddo Parish Public Schools is the parish-wide school system, and the Shreveport Police Department, Shreveport Fire Department and Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office are its largest public safety employers.
Workers in those agencies were the original Keys for Service audience. HomeStart Advantage keeps the 4% help and the $125,000 cap, and since Sept. 9, 2026 anyone in Caddo can apply regardless of job.
Caddo uses the standard HomeStart Assist limits of $84,900 for 1 to 2 people and $97,635 for 3 or more. A household above those numbers but under $125,000 can look at Advantage instead.
What are the limits in Caddo Parish?
| Household of 1 or 2 | Household of 3+ | Highest price |
|---|
| $84,900 | $97,635 | $554,850 |
Caddo uses the standard HomeStart Assist limits; HomeStart Advantage goes up to $125,000, and a lender confirms the FHA price limit for the parish. Compare every area's limits or run the home budget calculator.
Is there local money in Caddo Parish?
Yes. The programs below are run closer to home. Some can sit on top of the state program and some replace it, so your loan officer sorts out which ones work together.
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.
Checked November 2026 · our sources
Read our full write-up →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 →Browse every Louisiana program.
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
Which local employers are covered?
A few of the Caddo Parish employers whose staff fit the program:
- Caddo Parish Public Schools
- Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office
- Shreveport Police Department
- Shreveport Fire Department
Shreveport teachers, officers and firefighters qualify, and so does every other Caddo worker. See the list of eligible jobs.
Caddo Parish questions we hear
What is the income limit in Shreveport?
For HomeStart Advantage, $125,000 for the household. For first-time buyers using HomeStart Assist, $84,900 for 1 to 2 people or $97,635 for 3 or more.
Do I need to work for the City of Shreveport?
No. HomeStart Advantage is open to every occupation and employer.
Can I buy a manufactured home in rural Caddo?
Qualifying manufactured homes are eligible with a 660 credit score and a 45% maximum debt-to-income ratio.
Other parishes: East Baton Rouge Parish Jefferson Parish Orleans Parish St. Tammany Parish Lafayette Parish Calcasieu Parish Ouachita Parish Livingston Parish Every parish
