Louisiana First-Time Buyer Programs

Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) Programs:

LHC runs multiple first‑time buyer tracks (MRB, HOME/MRB, Pathways, Delta 100 and targeted programs) through approved lenders. LHC offers 30‑year fixed mortgage products (FHA/VA/USDA/conventional gateway products) at below‑market or competitive rates and a range of down payment/closing‑cost assistance options. Income, purchase‑price caps and targeted‑area rules vary by program and parish — check LHC program exhibits below for exact limits and approved lender lists.

Official LHC program pages and guides: LHC Homeownership, MRB (Mortgage Revenue Bond), Pathways to Homeownership, Keys for Service, the LHC SF Lenders MRB Training Manual (May 13, 2026, PDF), LHC Daily Mortgage Rates, the Premier GNMA guidelines (PDF), and the Delta 100 Exhibit (parish limits, PDF).

Louisiana First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Programs:

Eligibility: First‑time buyers (no ownership in past 3 years; often waived in targeted/qualified census tracts); household income must meet parish/program limits set in LHC exhibits. (See LHC exhibits for parish‑level AMI limits.)
Offerings: 30‑year fixed mortgages (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional) paired with down payment assistance and reduced‑MI options on certain tracks.
Requirements:

• Income limits and purchase‑price limits are parish‑specific and published in program exhibits; targeted areas often allow higher limits — check the appropriate Exhibit (N1/N2/N3/Exhibit F) on LHC’s site. (LHC MRB, LHC lender manual).
• Typical LHC minimum credit score: 640 for many MRB/Premier products; some parish‑specific tracks (Delta 100) are explicitly designed to serve borrowers with non‑traditional credit and may state no minimum credit score while requiring alternate credit history and a borrower contribution. See the Delta exhibit and program documents for parish rules and loan caps. (Premier GNMA guidelines, PDF, Delta 100 Exhibit (PDF), LHC lender manual).
• Debt‑to‑income guidance: LHC sets a hard DTI cap of 50% for its programs; some tracks are more restrictive (e.g., HOME/MRB program guidance references front‑ratio guidance ≤30% and program DTI ≤41%; CDBG/Pathways guidance commonly allows up to 48%). Underwriting follows AUS findings (DU/LP) — manual underwriting is generally not allowed for MRB‑style products. (LHC lender manual).
• Homebuyer education: mandatory for most LHC‑assisted loans (LHC‑approved or HUD‑approved counseling courses). (LHC Homeownership).

Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Options (LHC & city programs):

MRB Assisted (state): soft‑second equal to 4% of the mortgage amount for MRB Assisted tracks (per LHC MRB guidance). See LHC MRB and Daily Rates pages for current reservation steps and exact assistance tied to each product. (LHC MRB, LHC Daily Mortgage Rates).
HOME / MRB: DPA is tiered by loan amount — the LHC exhibits and lender manual reference roughly 5–9% on some HOME/MRB tracks depending on mortgage amount; check the lender exhibit for the exact percentage for a given loan. (LHC lender manual (DPA table)).
CDBG / MRB (targeted areas): targeted CDBG tracks and Pathways examples show up to $55,000 soft‑seconds (or up to 20% in some exhibits) plus up to $5,000 closing assistance on certain products; availability depends on the NOFA and parish eligibility. (LHC MRB, LHC Daily Mortgage Rates, Pathways to Homeownership).

Louisiana Heroes / Keys for Service:

Description: LHC’s Keys for Service offers enhanced DPA and/or preferential terms for eligible public‑service professionals (teachers, firefighters, law enforcement, paramedics, many healthcare workers, and others listed by LHC). Assistance examples in LHC materials include ~4% assistance on qualifying tracks (income ceiling often higher for Keys for Service—see the program page). See the Keys for Service resources for the latest eligibility and lender list. (LHC Keys for Service).

Local Programs (Examples & where to verify):

Parish and city Offices of Community Development or housing authorities often run local soft‑second, forgivable, or deferred DPA that stack with state programs. Funding and caps vary by NOFA; confirm current availability and underwriting caps with the local agency before assuming amounts.

New Orleans / Orleans Parish

City of New Orleans Direct Homebuyer Assistance: The City’s underwriting guidelines describe a 10‑year forgivable soft‑second (0% interest) with a forgiveness schedule. The City underwriting guidance documents a maximum $55,000 soft‑second and up to $5,000 closing assistance for households up to 80% AMI, plus a purchase‑price cap shown in the underwriting PDF. Read the City underwriting guidance: City of New Orleans underwriting (PDF) and the program landing page: City of New Orleans Direct Homebuyer Assistance.

Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish

Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge: The City‑Parish Office of Community Development and regional partners administer HOME/CDBG/HAP‑style assistance when funded. Dollar amounts and availability shift by NOFA — check the City‑Parish Office pages at brla.gov or contact the Office of Community Development for current offerings.

Shreveport / Caddo Parish

Shreveport / Caddo: Local housing authorities or parish CDBG/HOME programs occasionally offer deferred/forgivable assistance. Program amounts and eligibility change; verify at the City of Shreveport or Caddo Parish housing authority websites (e.g., shreveportla.gov).

Additional Information:

• USDA Loans: USDA single‑family programs can offer 100% financing/no‑down‑payment in eligible rural areas — check USDA RD eligibility maps and program pages. (USDA Single Family Housing — Guaranteed).
• VA Loans: Eligible veterans and active‑duty service members can often get no‑down‑payment VA‑guaranteed loans; underwriting and entitlement rules apply. See the VA Home Loans pages for details. (VA Home Loans).
• FHA Loans: FHA loans commonly allow a 3.5% down payment for borrowers with qualifying credit (traditionally 580+ for the 3.5% threshold; lenders and FHA set final underwriting). For national FHA limits and program notices see HUD/FHA guidance. (HUD / FHA INFO).

Louisiana assistance is intentionally flexible — state LHC tracks combine with city/parish soft‑seconds and federal loan products. For parish‑level income limits, purchase‑price limits, or NOFA‑specific allowances, always pull the relevant LHC Exhibit (N1/N2/N3/Exhibit F) or contact the administering local agency.

Always confirm program fit with an LHC‑approved lender or the administering city/parish office before assuming a specific dollar amount or underwriting rule. Program details, income limits, interest rates, and availability may change. Confirm the latest requirements with the official program administrator or participating lender.

Seeking Agents® helps connect buyers with Louisiana agents experienced with these programs — free for buyers/sellers.