Louisiana’s housing market offers a wide mix of opportunities, from lively New Orleans neighborhoods to quiet small towns and rural parishes. Whether you’re looking in a bustling city or a more laid-back community, understanding what financial support is available can be just as important as finding the right home.
For many buyers, especially first-time homeowners, down payment assistance (DPA) can make the path to ownership more achievable. Across Louisiana, state agencies, parishes, and local organizations provide programs such as grants, forgivable loans, and affordable second mortgages to help with upfront costs.
This guide highlights some of the most active and accessible DPA programs in Louisiana. While not exhaustive, it focuses on options with reliable funding and meaningful benefits. We’ll continue to update it as programs evolve.
Statewide Down Payment Assistance Programs
Louisiana has several statewide programs administered primarily by the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC). Here are some of the most impactful.
MRB Home Program
The Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) Home Program offers a below-market 30-year fixed-rate mortgage paired with 5%–9% in down payment and closing cost assistance. Assistance comes in the form of a "soft" (0% interest and no monthly payments) second mortgage that is forgivable over time as long as you remain in the home.
Eligibility: Borrowers must be first-time buyers (unless buying in a HUD target area), have at least a 640 credit score, and household income at or below 80% of AMI.
MRB Assisted Program
The Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) Assisted Program offers a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a soft second loan for down payment and closing costs of up to 4% of the loan amount. The second mortgage carries 0% interest and is forgiven after 3 years if you live in the home.
Eligibility: Borrowers must be first-time buyers (unless buying in HUD target areas), have at least a 640 credit score, and meet income limits (generally ≤80% of AMI for most areas, but may go up to 140% of the median income - depending on family size).
Pathways to Homeownership Soft Second
The Pathways to Homeownership Program provides a soft second loan up to $55,000 (20% of the home price) plus $5,000 for closing costs, for a total of up to $60,000. Assistance is forgiven after 10 years of occupancy.
Eligibility: Buyers must be first-time homeowners, earn ≤80% of AMI, and purchase a home outside of a flood zone in one of about 40 covered parishes.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by County
Some parishes in Louisiana operate their own DPA initiatives.
Jefferson Parish First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
Jefferson Parish provides up to $50,000 in down payment aid for homes within the parish, and up to $60,000 for purchases inside Kenner. Assistance is a forgivable second mortgage.
Eligibility: Buyers must be first-time homebuyers, complete homebuyer education, and have household income ≤80% of AMI.
Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG)
Lafayette’s Program offers up to $11,000 as a 15-year low-interest second loan at 2% for down payment and closing costs.
Eligibility: Buyers must be first-time homebuyers in Lafayette Parish, complete HUD-approved training, and have income ≤$54,700 for a family of four.
Alexandria (Rapides Parish) Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)
The City of Alexandria HAP provides up to $25,000 in a forgivable soft second mortgage, typically split as $20,000 for down payment and $5,000 for closing costs.
Eligibility: First-time buyers with income ≤80% of AMI, at least $500 of personal funds invested, and completion of 8 hours of HUD-approved education.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by City
Louisiana’s largest cities also operate their own programs.
New Orleans Direct Homebuyer Soft Second
The City of New Orleans Program offers up to $55,000 in a soft second mortgage plus $5,000 in closing cost help. Assistance is forgivable after a set affordability period.
Eligibility: First-time buyers in Orleans Parish with household income ≤ 80% of AMI and a purchase price ≤ $324,000.
Finance New Orleans Green Mortgage
Finance New Orleans pairs a standard mortgage with up to $25,000 in down payment assistance, plus a $2,500 grant for energy efficiency upgrades. For buyers under 80% AMI, the loan is forgiven after 5 years; for incomes up to 140% AMI, it becomes a deferred 30-year loan, repayable on refinancing, sale or paydown.
Eligibility: Minimum credit score 640, DTI ≤ 45%, completion of homebuyer education, and energy review before closing; available to first-time and repeat buyers.
Shreveport HAPPI Program
Shreveport’s HAPPI Program provides a loan covering up to 20% of the home price. The website does not make clear how the loan is structured or whether it is forgivable.
Eligibility: First-time buyers with income ≤ 80% of AMI, a minimum 640 credit score, $500 of personal funds invested, and completion of an 8-hour education course.
Additional Down Payment Assistance Programs in Louisiana
Here are some additional programs, separate from those already mentioned, that may be useful.
Statewide Programs
Chenoa Fund (Nationwide program available in Louisiana)
Understanding Area Median Income (AMI)?
You likely noticed that many Louisiana down payment assistance programs require applicants to have an income at or below a certain percentage of AMI. In most cases, this figure tends to sit at 80%, although some programs may have different guidelines.
For example, if the area median income where you're looking to buy is $100,000 and the program you're applying to requires you to make no more than 80% AMI, you could earn as much as $80,000 per year and still be eligible.
You can use the Fannie Mae AMI Lookup Tool to search for median income by property address.
Using Down Payment Assistance to Buy in Louisiana
Louisiana provides a strong selection of down payment assistance opportunities. From statewide programs to parish- and city-level initiatives, both new and returning buyers can find resources to help with upfront expenses. Take advantage of our loan calculators to explore different budget scenarios, and monitor mortgage rates so you can make confident choices. With the right mix of planning and support, achieving homeownership in Louisiana can feel well within reach.
Check with the organization directly for the most recent guidelines. While programs were fact-checked at the time of writing, requirements change often, and programs become unavailable when funds are exhausted.
