See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Slidell, LA (2026)
Slidell is a city in St. Tammany Parish on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, about 30 miles northeast of New Orleans. With a median home price around $225,000, Slidell offers affordable homeownership in a community with easy interstate access to the New Orleans metro. The Finance Authority of St. Tammany Parish provides a non-repayable grant of up to 6% of the loan amount for down payment and closing costs. Louisiana state programs add even more: 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 stacking parish and state programs, Slidell buyers can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
County Programs in St. Tammany 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 → |
| Finance Authority of St. Tammany Parish DPA Program | Grant | Up to 6% of loan amount as a non-repayable grant for down payment and closing costs | No | 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:
- Up to 6% of loan amount as a non-repayable grant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home sold at no profit with affordable mortgage payments | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home sold at no profit with affordable mortgage payments
- First-time only:
- No
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 St. Tammany Parish. The Finance Authority of St. Tammany Parish and CAFA programs have their own income limits that vary by household size.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. First-time buyers must complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West operates the only HUD-certified homeownership counseling agency in St. Tammany Parish. Northshore Housing Initiative also offers classes at locations in Slidell. Call 985-639-0656 for East St. Tammany Habitat.
Step 3: Contact a participating lender. The Finance Authority of St. Tammany Parish and Louisiana Housing Corporation programs are offered through approved lenders. Visit stpfinanceauthority.com or the LHC website to find a participating lender in the Slidell 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. Ask about combining the St. Tammany Finance Authority grant with LHC programs for maximum assistance.
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. Tammany 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. 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 Slidell?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is Slidell eligible for USDA loans?+−
Can Habitat for Humanity help me buy a home in Slidell?+−
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