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)
LHC administers the primary DPA programs for Louisiana. Program details below are current as of October 17, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with LHC before applying.
Statewide DPA Programs in Louisiana
HomeStart Advantage
Louisiana Housing Corporation
4% of the first mortgage amount as a 0% interest second mortgage, fully forgiven after 60 months if program requirements are met.
Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- First-time homebuyer: Not required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Maximum DTI: 50%
- Income: Household income up to $125,000.
- Homebuyer education required
Statewide. Not limited to first-time homebuyers, but the borrower may not own another residence at closing. Purchase price may not exceed the FHA loan limit. 660 minimum credit score for manufactured homes. Replaced the former Keys for Service program in September 2026.
Source: www.lhc.la.gov
HomeStart Assist
Louisiana Housing Corporation
4% of the first mortgage amount as a 0% interest second mortgage, fully forgiven after 60 months if program requirements are met. Paired with a 30-year fixed bond-financed first mortgage.
Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Maximum DTI: 50%
- Income: FHA, VA, and USDA: up to 115% of area median income (140% in targeted areas). Conventional: up to 80% of area median income.
- Homebuyer education required
First-time homebuyer requirement waived for eligible veterans and in targeted areas. MRB purchase price limits apply. Federal recapture tax may apply if sold within 9 years. Replaced the former MRB Assisted program in September 2026.
Source: www.lhc.la.gov
HomeStart Plus
Louisiana Housing Corporation
Up to 20% of the purchase price (max $55,000) as a 0% interest second mortgage forgiven monthly over 10 years, plus up to $5,000 in closing cost assistance.
Paired with: FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Maximum DTI: 48%
- Income: Household income at or below 80% of area median income.
- Homebuyer education required
Only in designated parishes affected by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, or Ida. Properties in flood zones A, AE, or V are not eligible. Borrower must contribute the greater of 1% of the price or $1,500. Replaced the former Pathways program in September 2026.
Source: www.lhc.la.gov
Resilience Soft Second Mortgage Program
Louisiana Housing Corporation
Soft second mortgage of 20% of the purchase price up to $55,000, plus up to $5,000 for closing costs (up to $60,000 total). Forgiven if the home is occupied for the full 10-year term.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Income: Household income at or below 80% of area median income.
Limited to Gustav/Ike and Isaac designated parishes; properties cannot be in a flood zone. Income and purchase price limits apply. Confirm current funding 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
Soft second mortgage up to $55,000 toward the gap between purchase price and the first mortgage, plus up to $5,000 in closing cost assistance (no more than 50% of total closing costs); 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; HUD-approved homebuyer education required. Maximum sales price in Orleans Parish is $324,000. CDBG-funded; confirm 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)
$832,750 baseline
FHA
$541,287
Standard FHA limit, applies to most Louisiana counties.
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
▸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
Compare DPA options for Louisiana with live pricing
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