See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Baton Rouge, LA (2026)
Baton Rouge is Louisiana's capital city and the second-largest metro area in the state, anchored by Louisiana State University and a growing job market. With a median home price around $230,000, the city offers strong affordability for first-time buyers. The East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program provides up to $25,000 in zero-interest deferred loans for existing homes and up to $50,000 for new construction. The CAFA Capital Advantage Program adds a non-repayable grant of up to 5% of the mortgage amount. At the state level, the LHC Resilience Soft Second and Pathways to Homeownership programs each offer up to $60,000 in forgivable assistance, and the LHC Keys for Service Program gives teachers, first responders, and healthcare workers a 4% forgivable grant. By stacking local and state programs, Baton Rouge buyers can potentially cover their entire down payment and closing costs.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Baton Rouge
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $25,000 for existing homes; up to $50,000 for new construction in designated areas | Yes | View → |
| CAFA Capital Advantage Program | Grant | Non-repayable grant of up to 5% of original mortgage amount | No | View → |
| CAFA First Home Program | Grant | Down payment and closing cost assistance with below-market interest rate mortgage | Yes | View → |
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home sold at no profit with a zero-interest mortgage | No | View → |
| LHC Keys for Service Program | Forgivable Loan | 4% of loan amount for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| LHC MRB Home Program | Grant | 5% to 9% of mortgage amount for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| LHC Pathways to Homeownership Soft Second | Forgivable Loan | Up to 20% of purchase price (up to $55,000) plus up to $5,000 for closing costs (up to $60,000 total) | Yes | View → |
| LHC Preferred Conventional Program | Grant | Up to 4% of total purchase price | Yes | View → |
| LHC Resilience Soft Second Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $55,000 plus up to $5,000 for closing costs (up to $60,000 total) | Yes | View → |
| Louisiana Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) | Tax Credit | Federal tax credit of up to 40% of annual mortgage interest, capped at $2,000 per year | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000 for existing homes; up to $50,000 for new construction in designated areas
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Non-repayable grant of up to 5% of original mortgage amount
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance with below-market interest rate mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home sold at no profit with a zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- 4% of loan amount for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- 5% to 9% of mortgage amount for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 20% of purchase price (up to $55,000) plus up to $5,000 for closing costs (up to $60,000 total)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 4% of total purchase price
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $55,000 plus up to $5,000 for closing costs (up to $60,000 total)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Tax Credit
- Amount:
- Federal tax credit of up to 40% of annual mortgage interest, capped at $2,000 per year
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. The East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program requires income at or below 80% of Area Median Income. For example, a two-person household can earn up to $42,500 and a four-person household up to $53,100. The CAFA Capital Advantage Program allows incomes up to 115% AMI.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. The Mid City Redevelopment Alliance at 225-346-1000 ext. 210 offers HUD-approved homebuyer education courses in Baton Rouge. You must schedule a one-on-one session before taking the class. Online courses through eHome America are also accepted by many programs.
- Step 3:
Contact a local housing partner. Call the City of Baton Rouge Office of Community Development First-time Homebuyer Office at (225) 389-3039 to learn about the Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program. CAFA can be reached through their website at thecafa.org.
- Step 4:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a CAFA participating lender or an LHC-approved lender. Many lenders in Baton Rouge are approved for multiple programs, letting you combine assistance.
- Step 5:
Find a home within program limits. The EBR Parish program covers properties throughout East Baton Rouge Parish except the incorporated areas of Baker, Central, and Zachary. New construction in designated areas qualifies for up to $50,000.
- Step 6:
Submit your applications. Your lender will help you apply for the programs you qualify for. The parish program provides zero-interest deferred loans funded by HUD, and the CAFA grant does not require repayment. Allow time for processing as some programs may have waitlists.