See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Chalmette, LA (2026)
Chalmette is a census-designated place in St. Bernard Parish, located just southeast of New Orleans along the Mississippi River. With a median home price around $215,000, Chalmette offers affordable homeownership minutes from downtown New Orleans. The St. Bernard Parish Home Mortgage Authority provides a CDBG-funded soft second loan of up to $30,000 plus $5,000 for closing costs, forgiven after five years. The Jefferson Parish Finance Authority Southern Mortgage Assistance Program (SMAP) offers a non-repayable grant of 3% to 4% of the loan amount and is available in St. Bernard Parish. Louisiana state programs add substantial support: the LHC Pathways to Homeownership Soft Second offers up to $60,000 in forgivable assistance, and the CAFA Capital Advantage Program provides a grant of up to 5% of the mortgage amount. By combining parish and state programs, Chalmette buyers can significantly reduce their upfront costs.
County Programs in St. Bernard 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 → |
| JPFA Southern Mortgage Assistance Program | Grant | Grant of 3% or 4% of loan amount for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| St. Bernard Parish Home Mortgage Authority Soft Second Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $35,000 (up to $30,000 soft second + up to $5,000 closing cost grant) | 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
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Grant of 3% or 4% of loan amount for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $35,000 (up to $30,000 soft second + up to $5,000 closing cost grant)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home with low-interest mortgage; monthly payments never exceed 30% of household income | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home with low-interest mortgage; monthly payments never exceed 30% of household income
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The St. Bernard Parish Home Mortgage Authority Soft Second requires household income at or below 120% of Area Median Income and first-time buyer status. Louisiana state programs have their own income thresholds, typically at or below 80% AMI.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Most programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. The Louisiana Housing Corporation offers a free 6-hour online course.
Step 3: Contact a participating lender. The JPFA Southern Mortgage Assistance Program, CAFA programs, and LHC programs are all offered through approved lenders. Visit the relevant program websites to find a participating lender.
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. Ask about combining the St. Bernard Parish soft second with state-level programs for maximum assistance.
Step 5: Find a home in St. Bernard Parish. The parish soft second program requires a purchase price of $200,000 or less. Other programs may have different limits.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. Once you have a signed purchase agreement, your lender will process all applicable assistance alongside your mortgage. The parish soft second is forgiven after 5 years, and the LHC Pathways soft second is forgiven after 10 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Chalmette?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price for these programs?+−
Is Chalmette eligible for USDA loans?+−
Can Habitat for Humanity help me buy a home in Chalmette?+−
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