Rate Direct

Direct pricing. Transparent rates.

DPA PricerMain Pricer

Louisiana Down Payment Assistance

Louisiana Down Payment Assistance Programs

A guide to current down payment assistance options in Louisiana, including the state Housing Finance Agency, well-known city and county programs, and live DPA mortgage pricing for Louisiana homebuyers.

Louisiana Housing Finance Agency

Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC)

www.lhc.la.gov/

LHC administers the primary DPA programs for Louisiana. Program details below are current as of April 23, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with LHC before applying.

Statewide DPA Programs in Louisiana

Market Rate GNMA Program

Louisiana Housing Corporation

Grant

Up to 4% of the total purchase price in down payment, closing cost, and/or prepaid assistance; no origination or discount fees.

Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA

  • Primary residence only
  • Minimum FICO: 640
  • Income: Household income at or below 115% of area median income.

Not limited to first-time homebuyers. Paired with a 30-year fixed-rate government first mortgage.

Source: www.lhc.la.gov

LHC Preferred Conventional Program

Louisiana Housing Corporation

Grant

Up to 4% of the total purchase price in down payment, closing cost, and/or prepaid assistance.

Paired with: Conventional

  • Primary residence only
  • Minimum FICO: 640
  • Income: Household income at or below 80% of area median income for favorable pricing tiers; confirm current tiers with LHC.

Paired with an LHC conventional 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage.

Source: www.lhc.la.gov

MRB Home Program

Louisiana Housing Corporation

Grant

Down payment and closing cost assistance of 5% to 9% of the loan amount depending on loan size, with below-market interest rates on the first mortgage.

Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional

  • First-time homebuyer: Required
  • Primary residence only
  • Minimum FICO: 640
  • Income: At or below 80% of area median income (AMI).

First-time homebuyers only (or purchasing in a targeted area, per MRB rules).

Source: www.lhc.la.gov

MRB Assisted Program

Louisiana Housing Corporation

Grant

4% down payment and closing cost assistance paired with a below-market-rate first mortgage.

Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional

  • First-time homebuyer: Required
  • Primary residence only
  • Minimum FICO: 640
  • Income: At or below 80% of area median income.

First-time homebuyer requirement may be waived in targeted areas per MRB rules. Confirm current income and purchase price limits with LHC.

Source: www.lhc.la.gov

Resilience Soft Second Mortgage Program

Louisiana Housing Corporation

Forgivable second

Soft second mortgage providing down payment, closing cost, and principal reduction assistance; forgiven over time subject to owner-occupancy requirements.

Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA

  • Primary residence only
  • Income: LHC-published income limits apply; typically tied to AMI.

Program availability, funded areas, and forgiveness schedule vary; confirm current status and participating parishes with LHC.

Source: www.lhc.la.gov

Major City & County Programs in Louisiana

New Orleans Direct Homebuyer Soft Second Mortgage Assistance Program

City of New Orleans, Office of Community Development · New Orleans, LA

Forgivable second

Soft second mortgage (published caps have ranged up to $55,000) toward down payment and principal reduction, plus up to $5,000 in closing cost assistance; 0% interest with no monthly payments. Forgiven after 10 years of continuous owner occupancy.

First-time homebuyers (or no homeownership in last 3 years); household income at or below 80% of area median income; minimum borrower contribution required. Confirm current maximum assistance and funding availability with the City.

Source: nola.gov

Louisiana Notes for Homebuyers

  • Louisiana is a civil-law jurisdiction; mortgages are recorded as acts of mortgage. Closings are typically handled by a notary. Confirm parish-level recording fees and transfer taxes.

2026 Loan Limits in Louisiana

Conforming (Conventional)

$806,500 baseline

FHA

$524,225 floor

Most Louisiana counties use the FHA floor limit.

Live DPA Pricing for Louisiana

Pricing below is sourced live from hundreds of wholesale lenders for a Louisiana scenario. Edit the inputs to match your situation.

FHA Down Payment Assistance

Up to 5% assistance; repayable second at first rate + 2% over 10 years

Min FICO 580
▸Program details
  • ✓Minimum credit score: 580
  • ✓Non-traditional credit also possible
  • ✓Assistance up to 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value
  • ✓Assistance can be used for down payment, closing costs, or both
  • ✓Second lien: 10-year fixed, repayable
  • ✓Second lien rate is 2% higher than the first mortgage rate
  • ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
  • ✓No income cap
  • ✓Purchase of primary residence only
  • ✓Eligible properties: 1-unit residences, PUD, 2-4 units, FHA-approved condos, manufactured (single/double-wide)
  • ✓DTI per AUS and FHA manual underwriting guidelines
  • ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed

Assistance amount

1st lien: $386,000 at 96.5% LTV (FHA)
2nd lien: $14,000 (10-yr fixed, 1st rate + 2%)
Assistance is due upon transfer, sale, or refinance. Pricing estimate only — final rates, fees, and eligibility are determined by the lender.
Program details on this page are compiled from official Louisiana Housing Finance Agency and local government sources and were last verified on April 23, 2026. Program availability, funding, eligibility thresholds, and assistance amounts change frequently. Always confirm current terms directly with the administering agency before applying. This page is informational only and is not an offer to lend.

Compare DPA options for Louisiana with live pricing

Rate Direct pairs down payment assistance with live first-lien pricing so you see the combined monthly payment up front.

Open DPA PricerMain Rate Pricer

DPA Programs in Other States

KentuckyMaineKansasMarylandIowaMassachusettsView all 50 states