See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent
Homebuyer Programs in Lafayette, LA (2026)
Lafayette is the cultural heart of Cajun Country and one of Louisiana's most affordable metro areas, with a median home price around $245,000. First-time buyers in Lafayette benefit from a combination of city-run down payment assistance, statewide mortgage programs through the Louisiana Housing Corporation, and nonprofit homeownership support from Lafayette Habitat for Humanity. Whether you are drawn to the walkable downtown, the family-friendly neighborhoods of Youngsville and Broussard, or the vibrant arts and food scene, these programs can help make homeownership a reality in Acadiana.
City Programs in Lafayette
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $8,000 at 5% interest for down payment and/or closing costs | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $8,000 at 5% interest for down payment and/or closing costs
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Habitat for Humanity | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home (average cost $75,000-$85,000) with a zero-interest mortgage and monthly payments of $350-$500 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home (average cost $75,000-$85,000) with a zero-interest mortgage and monthly payments of $350-$500
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Review the income limits, credit score requirements, and purchase price caps for each program you are interested in. Most Lafayette and Louisiana programs require you to be a first-time homebuyer, which typically means you have not owned a home in the past three years.
Step 2: Complete Homebuyer Education
All Louisiana Housing Corporation programs and most local programs require you to complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Lafayette Consolidated Government's Neighborhood Counseling office at 111 Shirley Picard Dr, Lafayette, LA 70501 can connect you with approved courses in the area.
Step 3: Get Pre-Approved With a Participating Lender
Contact a lender approved by the Louisiana Housing Corporation or the Lafayette city housing office. They will review your finances and help you determine which programs you qualify for. For city DPA, contact the Lafayette Housing Loans office at 337-291-5450.
Step 4: Apply for Down Payment Assistance
Once pre-approved, your lender will help you apply for the specific assistance programs. For the Lafayette First-Time Homebuyer DPA, submit your application through the city's housing department. For Habitat for Humanity homes, contact Lafayette Habitat at 337-261-5041 to begin the application and sweat equity process.
Step 5: Find a Home and Close
Work with a real estate agent to find a home within the program's purchase price limits. Your lender and the program administrator will coordinate to ensure the assistance funds are applied at closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Lafayette?+−
What credit score do I need to buy a home in Lafayette?+−
What are the income limits for Lafayette homebuyer programs?+−
How much are closing costs in Lafayette, LA?+−
Does Lafayette have a Habitat for Humanity program?+−
Can I combine multiple programs in Lafayette?+−
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