See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 7, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Baton Rouge, LA (2026)

Population: 218,000 | Median home price: $230,000 | Est. closing costs: $4,500 - $7,000

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.

City 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 →

East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program

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

County Programs in East Baton Rouge Parish

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
CAFA Capital Advantage Program	Grant	Non-repayable grant of up to 5% of original mortgage amount	No	View →
CAFA First Home Program	Repayable Loan	Up to 4% of the final loan amount for down payment, closing costs or prepaid items, as a repayable second lien paired with a 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA or USDA first mortgage	Yes	View →

CAFA Capital Advantage Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Non-repayable grant of up to 5% of original mortgage amount
First-time only:: No

CAFA First Home Program

Type:: Repayable Loan
Amount:: Up to 4% of the final loan amount for down payment, closing costs or prepaid items, as a repayable second lien paired with a 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA or USDA first mortgage
First-time only:: Yes

State Programs in Louisiana

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
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 →

LHC Keys for Service Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: 4% of loan amount for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

LHC MRB Home Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: 5% to 9% of mortgage amount for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: Yes

LHC Pathways to Homeownership Soft Second

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

LHC Preferred Conventional Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to 4% of total purchase price
First-time only:: Yes

LHC Resilience Soft Second Program

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

Louisiana Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)

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

Federal Programs

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
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 →
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 →

FHA Loans

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

Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)

Type:: Government Property Sale Program
Amount:: 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:: Yes

Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)

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

HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)

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

HUD $100 Down Program

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

USDA Rural Development Loans

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:: No

VA Loans

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

Nonprofit Programs

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable home sold at no profit with a zero-interest mortgage	No	View →

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable home sold at no profit with a zero-interest mortgage
First-time only:: No

Free eligibility check

17 programs available in Baton Rouge. See which ones you qualify for.

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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Baton Rouge?+

Baton Rouge buyers can access significant assistance by combining programs. The East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $25,000 for existing homes or $50,000 for new construction as a zero-interest deferred loan. The CAFA Capital Advantage Program provides 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. Teachers, first responders, and healthcare workers can also access the LHC Keys for Service Program for an additional 4% forgivable grant. Work with a participating lender to determine which programs can be stacked together.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+

Not for all programs. The EBR Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program and the CAFA First Home Program require first-time buyer status (no homeownership in the past 3 years). However, the CAFA Capital Advantage Program does not require first-time buyer status, and the LHC Keys for Service Program is open to all eligible essential workers regardless of prior ownership. The LHC MRB Home and Preferred Conventional programs require first-time buyer status, but the Keys for Service does not.

What is the maximum home price I can pay?+

Most Baton Rouge programs do not set a strict purchase price limit. Your maximum is determined by your income, the loan amount you qualify for, and the specific program caps. The EBR Parish program offers up to $25,000 for existing homes and $50,000 for new construction in designated areas. The CAFA grant is up to 5% of your mortgage amount, so higher-priced homes receive more assistance in dollar terms. Work with a participating lender to determine your buying power.

What homebuyer education is required?+

The EBR Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program requires completing a course through the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance. Contact them at 225-346-1000 ext. 210 to schedule a one-on-one session and register for the class. Most LHC state programs also require HUD-approved homebuyer education. Online options through eHome America and Framework are accepted by many programs.

Are there programs for teachers, nurses, and first responders?+

Yes. The LHC Keys for Service Program provides 4% of the loan amount as a forgivable grant specifically for teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, public safety telecommunicators, hospital employees, nursing care facility workers, and other essential workers. The assistance is forgiven after 5 years of living in the home. You must earn under $125,000 annually and have a credit score of at least 640.

What is the Habitat for Humanity program in Baton Rouge?+

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge builds and rehabilitates homes and sells them at no profit with zero-interest mortgages. Monthly payments including insurance and taxes average about $375, roughly 62% lower than average rent. You must earn between 27-80% of median family income, demonstrate housing need, and complete at least 255 hours of sweat equity plus homeownership classes. Over 35 years, Habitat has built or rehabilitated over 417 homes in the area.