See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Central, LA (2026)
Central is an incorporated city in East Baton Rouge Parish, located just northeast of Baton Rouge. With a median home price around $295,000, Central offers a suburban feel with highly rated schools and easy access to the Baton Rouge metro area. While Central is excluded from the East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program (which only covers unincorporated areas of the parish), buyers here can still take advantage of strong state and regional programs. The LHC Pathways to Homeownership Soft Second offers up to $60,000 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance, and the CAFA Capital Advantage Program provides a non-repayable grant of up to 5% of the mortgage amount. Central is also USDA-eligible, giving qualified buyers access to zero-down-payment mortgages.
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 → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Non-repayable grant of up to 5% of original mortgage amount
- First-time only:
- No
- 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 → |
- 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
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 → |
- 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:
- 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
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 → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home sold at no profit with a zero-interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Louisiana state programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for East Baton Rouge Parish. The CAFA Capital Advantage Program requires a minimum 640 credit score and a debt-to-income ratio of 45% or less.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. First-time buyers must complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. The Louisiana Housing Corporation offers a free 6-hour course with a live instructor. You can also take courses through Frameworks or eHome America. Call LHC at 225-763-8700 for details.
Step 3: Contact a participating lender. Louisiana Housing Corporation programs and CAFA programs are offered through approved lenders. Visit the LHC website or the CAFA website at thecafa.org to find participating lenders in the Baton Rouge area.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Your lender will determine which programs you qualify for based on your income, credit score, and the home you plan to purchase. Central is USDA-eligible, so zero-down USDA loans may also be available.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Some programs have purchase price limits that vary by parish. Note that the East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program does not cover Central, but state programs and CAFA programs have no geographic restriction within the state.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. Once you have a signed purchase agreement, your lender will process the down payment assistance alongside your mortgage. Expect the process to take 30 to 45 days from application to closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Central?+−
Why is Central excluded from the East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Is Central eligible for USDA loans?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can Habitat for Humanity help me buy a home in Central?+−
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