Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) Programs:
Updated Oct 15, 2026LHC runs multiple first‑time buyer tracks (HomeStart Assist, HomeStart Plus, HomeStart Advantage/Keys for Service, Delta 100 and targeted parish programs) through approved lenders. LHC offers 30‑year fixed mortgage products (FHA/VA/USDA/conventional gateway products) at 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 — pull the relevant LHC Exhibit for parish limits and approved lender lists.
Official LHC program pages and guides: LHC Homeownership, HomeStart Assist (state MRB track), HomeStart Plus (disaster / Pathways), HomeStart Advantage / 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 in the LHC Exhibits.
Offerings: 30‑year fixed mortgages (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional) paired with down payment assistance and reduced‑MI options on certain tracks.
Requirements:
- Income and purchase‑price limits are parish‑specific and published in LHC Exhibits (N1/N2/N3/Exhibit F) and program documents. See the relevant exhibit for exact AMI and purchase‑price limits. (LHC lender manual).
- Typical LHC minimum credit score: 640 for most MRB/HomeStart products; manufactured‑housing and some CDBG tracks may have different minimums. Lenders must submit AUS findings (DU/LP); manual underwriting is generally not allowed for MRB‑style products. (LHC lender manual (PDF)).
- Debt‑to‑income guidance: LHC sets an overall hard DTI cap of 50%. Certain tracks are more restrictive: HOME/MRB often requires front‑ratio guidance ≤30% and program DTI ≤41%; CDBG/Pathways (HomeStart Plus) commonly requires front‑ratio in the high 20s–33% and DTI ≤48%. These are hard caps in the lender manual. (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):
HomeStart Assist (state MRB‑style): a typical soft‑second equal to 4% of the first mortgage amount for HomeStart Assist tracks; structured as a 0% forgivable second (forgiveness schedule noted on the program page). See HomeStart Assist and daily rates for reservation steps. (HomeStart Assist, LHC Daily Mortgage Rates).
HOME / HOMEStart HOME tiers: HOME‑assisted tracks use tiered DPA (commonly about 5–9% on some HOME/MRB tracks depending on loan amount); consult the LHC lender manual Exhibit tables for exact percentages by loan size. (LHC lender manual (DPA table)).
HomeStart Plus (CDBG / disaster recovery): targeted CDBG tracks and HomeStart Plus provide larger assistance where eligible — up to 20% of purchase price or up to $55,000 in a forgivable second, plus up to $5,000 closing assistance on qualifying disaster‑area purchases. Actual assistance depends on eligibility, parish designation, and NOFA. (HomeStart Plus).
Louisiana Heroes / Keys for Service (HomeStart Advantage):
Description: LHC’s Keys for Service / HomeStart Advantage offers enhanced DPA 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 roughly 3–5% assistance on qualifying tracks and occasionally higher income ceilings for these categories — check the program page for the current eligibility list and lender guidance. (HomeStart Advantage).
Local Programs (Examples & where to verify):
Parish and city Offices of Community Development or housing authorities frequently run local soft‑second, forgivable, or deferred DPA that may stack with state programs. Funding and caps vary by NOFA — confirm current availability, underwriting caps, and purchase‑price limits with the local agency before assuming amounts.
New Orleans / Orleans Parish
City of New Orleans Direct Homebuyer Assistance: The City’s program provides either up to $55,000 in a soft‑second or up to $5,000 in closing‑cost assistance for households up to 80% AMI; the program uses a 10‑year forgivable schedule (0% interest) and documents a $324,000 maximum sales price for Orleans Parish. Housing ratios and borrower contribution rules are in the City underwriting guidance. Read the City underwriting guidance and program page: City of New Orleans underwriting (PDF) and 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 administers HOME/CDBG‑style assistance when funded. Dollar amounts and availability shift by NOFA — check the City‑Parish site or contact the Office of Community Development for current offerings: brla.gov.
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: 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 can change — pull the latest LHC exhibits and local NOFAs.
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