Louisiana down payment assistance, deep-checked against current state program sources.
A current inventory of state-run and state-administered assistance in Louisiana, plus national DPA options. Funding and rate sheets can still change after this review date.
Reviewed September 11, 2026 • Joshua Dobson, NMLS #190260
Quick comparison
| Program | Potential assistance | Published min. FICO | Repayment/Forgiveness | Biggest catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHC MRB Home | 5%–9% DPA/closing-cost assistance depending current loan amount/program schedule | program specific | State soft-second/assistance structure under MRB Home | Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program. |
| LHC MRB Assisted | 4% of mortgage amount | program specific | Soft second mortgage | Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program. |
| LHC HomeStart Assist | 4% of mortgage amount | 640 | Soft second mortgage | Verify live funding and current lender matrix before relying on the program. |
| LHC HomeStart Plus | 20% of purchase price up to $55,000 + up to $5,000 closing costs; max $60,000 | program specific | Soft second with 10-year occupancy/forgiveness conditions | Select parishes and flood-zone restrictions apply; sale/refi before required period can trigger repayment. |
| LHC HomeStart Ready | 0%, 3% or 4% of first mortgage depending selected rate | 640 | 0% forgivable second, generally forgiven monthly over 36 months with occupancy | Assistance level is tied to first-mortgage pricing; max qualifying income applies. |
| LHC HomeStart Advantage / Keys for Service | Current program assistance for eligible first responders, teachers and essential workers | program specific | Specialized LHC homebuyer assistance; current FAQ/guidelines control | Occupation eligibility and current Keys for Service/MRB rules control; verify live amount before quoting. |
LHC MRB Home
LHC MRB Home is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.
Published minimum FICO: program specific
LHC MRB Assisted
LHC MRB Assisted is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.
Published minimum FICO: program specific
LHC HomeStart Assist
LHC HomeStart Assist is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.
Published minimum FICO: 640
LHC HomeStart Plus
LHC HomeStart Plus is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.
Published minimum FICO: program specific
LHC HomeStart Ready
LHC HomeStart Ready is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.
Published minimum FICO: 640
LHC HomeStart Advantage / Keys for Service
LHC HomeStart Advantage / Keys for Service is a current state-administered homebuyer assistance option. Mortgage Navigator uses the administering agency as the controlling source and avoids filling changing details with stale third-party numbers.
Published minimum FICO: program specific
National programs Louisiana buyers should also check
National Homebuyers Fund
NHF multi-state assistance may be available through participating lenders. Current lender/product terms control credit, pricing, assistance and repayment or forgiveness.
Published minimum FICO: product/lender specific
Chenoa Fund
Chenoa Fund provides FHA down-payment assistance through approved lender partners. Current matrices control credit, pricing and second-mortgage terms.
Published minimum FICO: product/lender specific
Louisiana's biggest DPA lesson
Louisiana had one of the biggest omissions in V24. The deep sweep found multiple distinct LHC state programs: MRB Home, MRB Assisted, HomeStart Assist, HomeStart Plus, HomeStart Ready and HomeStart Advantage/Keys for Service.
Let Josh compare the available programs.
Send the city/ZIP, purchase price, credit range, household income and first-time-buyer status.