See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Metairie, LA (2026)
Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish and one of the most populated suburbs in the Greater New Orleans metro area, known for its excellent schools and convenient access to downtown New Orleans. With a median home price around $345,000, Metairie is one of the higher-priced markets in Louisiana, but buyers have access to substantial assistance programs. The Jefferson Parish First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $50,000 in forgivable loans funded by HUD, while the JPFA Southern Mortgage Assistance Program provides a grant of up to 4% of the loan amount. The JPFA Comfort of Home Program adds up to 4% as a forgivable second mortgage at 0% interest. At the state level, the LHC Resilience Soft Second and Pathways to Homeownership programs each offer up to $60,000 in forgivable assistance. By combining Jefferson Parish and state programs, Metairie buyers can potentially stack significant down payment and closing cost help even in this higher-priced market.
County Programs in Jefferson Parish
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Parish First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $50,000 per client in Jefferson Parish; up to $60,000 per client in Kenner | Yes | View → |
| JPFA Comfort of Home Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 4% down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% interest forgivable second mortgage | No | View → |
| JPFA Southern Mortgage Assistance Program | Grant | Grant of 3% or 4% of loan amount for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000 per client in Jefferson Parish; up to $60,000 per client in Kenner
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 4% down payment and closing cost assistance as a 0% interest forgivable second mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Grant of 3% or 4% of loan amount for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
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 Jefferson Parish First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program requires income between 51% and 80% of Area Median Income. The JPFA Southern Mortgage Assistance Program has income limits of $69,000 for FHA/VA loans or $99,000 for conventional loans. State programs like the LHC Resilience Soft Second cap at 80% AMI.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Jefferson Parish FTHB program requires completion of Financial Fitness and First-Time Homebuyer Training Classes with certification. Certificates are valid for 2 years. Contact Jefferson Parish Community Development at (504) 736-6262 for class schedules.
Step 3: Contact a local housing partner. Reach out to Jefferson Parish Community Development at (504) 736-6262 or visit 1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Suite 605, Jefferson, LA 70123 to learn about the parish FTHB program. The Jefferson Parish Finance Authority at jpfinanceauthority.com administers the Southern Mortgage and Comfort of Home programs.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a JPFA participating lender or an LHC-approved lender. The Jefferson Parish FTHB program requires you to select your own lender for a fixed-rate primary mortgage. Many local lenders participate in multiple programs.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. The Jefferson Parish FTHB program covers all of Jefferson Parish. The JPFA programs also cover Jefferson Parish and surrounding areas. Ensure the property meets program requirements.
Step 6: Submit your applications. Your lender will help you apply for the JPFA programs, while the Jefferson Parish FTHB application goes through Community Development. The parish program may have waitlists depending on funding availability, so apply early.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Metairie?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What is the difference between the JPFA Southern Mortgage and Comfort of Home programs?+−
Does Habitat for Humanity serve the Metairie area?+−
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