See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Laplace, LA (2026)
Laplace is a census-designated place in St. John the Baptist Parish, situated along the Mississippi River corridor between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. With a median home price around $185,000, Laplace offers affordable homeownership with convenient access to both major metro areas. St. John the Baptist Parish operates its own CDBG-funded Homebuyer Assistance Program for first-time buyers, and the CAFA Capital Advantage Program provides a non-repayable grant of up to 5% of the mortgage amount. Louisiana state programs like the LHC Pathways to Homeownership Soft Second add up to $60,000 in forgivable assistance. Laplace is also USDA-eligible, making zero-down-payment mortgages available to qualifying buyers.
County Programs in St. John the Baptist 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 → |
| St. John the Baptist Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program | 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
- 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
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for St. John the Baptist 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. The St. John the Baptist Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program requires 12 hours of homebuyer education from a Louisiana Homebuyer Training Collaborative certified provider. Contact St. John Parish Administration at 1811 W. Airline Hwy., LaPlace, LA 70068 for approved providers.
Step 3: Contact the parish and a participating lender. For the parish program, apply through the St. John Parish Administration. For CAFA and LHC programs, work with an approved lender listed on the CAFA or LHC websites.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Your lender will determine which programs you qualify for. Laplace 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 St. John the Baptist Parish.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. Once you have a signed purchase agreement, your lender will process all applicable assistance alongside your mortgage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Laplace?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Is Laplace eligible for USDA loans?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can Habitat for Humanity help me buy a home in Laplace?+−
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