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

Homebuyer Programs in Houma, LA (2026)

Population: 31,308 | Median home price: $185,000 | Est. closing costs: $3,500 - $5,500

Skyline of Houma, LA

Houma is the parish seat of Terrebonne Parish in south-central Louisiana, situated about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans. With a median home price around $185,000, Houma offers affordable homeownership in a community with deep cultural roots in the bayou region. While Terrebonne Parish does not currently offer a parish-funded down payment assistance program, buyers here benefit from strong Louisiana state programs. The LHC Pathways to Homeownership Soft Second provides up to $60,000 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance, and the LHC MRB Home Program offers 5% to 9% of the mortgage amount as a grant. Houma is also USDA-eligible, making zero-down-payment mortgages available to qualifying buyers.

State Programs in Louisiana

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

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

Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home sold at no profit with affordable mortgage payments
First-time only:
No

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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 Terrebonne Parish. The LHC Pathways to Homeownership program targets first-time homebuyers in disaster-affected parishes, and Terrebonne Parish qualifies.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required for most programs. Catholic Housing Services in Houma provides pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer education. You can also call the HUD counseling hotline at 800-569-4287 for local providers.

Step 3: Contact a participating lender. Louisiana Housing Corporation programs are offered through approved lenders. Visit the LHC website or call 225-763-8700 to find a participating lender in the Houma 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. Houma 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. Your lender can confirm the current limits for Terrebonne Parish.

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. The LHC Pathways soft second is forgiven after 10 years of owner-occupancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Houma?+
Houma buyers can access several Louisiana state programs. The LHC Pathways to Homeownership Soft Second offers up to $55,000 in down payment assistance plus $5,000 for closing costs (up to $60,000 total), forgivable after 10 years. The LHC Resilience Soft Second also provides up to $60,000 in forgivable assistance. The LHC MRB Home Program offers 5% to 9% of the mortgage amount as a grant, and the LHC Preferred Conventional Program provides up to 4% of the purchase price. By combining eligible programs, buyers can receive substantial help.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
Not all programs require first-time buyer status. The LHC Keys for Service Program is available to teachers, first responders, and law enforcement regardless of whether they have owned a home before. The LHC MRB Home Program also does not strictly require first-time buyer status. However, the LHC Pathways to Homeownership and Resilience Soft Second programs do have first-time buyer or income-based eligibility requirements.
Does Terrebonne Parish have its own down payment assistance program?+
Terrebonne Parish does not currently operate a parish-funded down payment assistance program for homebuyers. However, the Terrebonne Parish Housing and Human Services Department coordinates with state and nonprofit agencies to connect residents with available programs. Buyers in Houma rely primarily on Louisiana state programs and the USDA Rural Development loan program for assistance.
Is Houma eligible for USDA loans?+
Yes. Houma and much of Terrebonne Parish are USDA-eligible, which means qualified buyers can obtain a mortgage with zero down payment, competitive interest rates, and low mortgage insurance through the USDA Rural Development program. This is a significant benefit for Houma buyers who may not qualify for other DPA programs.
What homebuyer education is required?+
Most Louisiana state programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Catholic Housing Services in Houma provides pre-purchase and post-purchase counseling for homebuyers. You can also call the national HUD counseling hotline at 800-569-4287 to find additional providers in the Terrebonne Parish area.
Can Habitat for Humanity help me buy a home in Houma?+
Yes. Bayou Area Habitat for Humanity serves both Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes. They partner with qualifying families whose household income is at or below 50% of the area median income to build and sell affordable homes with no-interest mortgages. Applicants must demonstrate housing need, willingness to contribute sweat equity hours, and ability to make affordable mortgage payments.

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