City of New Orleans Down Payment Assistance Programs
1 local down payment assistance program for homebuyers in the City of New Orleans, checked against the official page.
City of New Orleans down payment assistance at a glance (2026)
| Program | Amount | Type | First-time buyer | Income limit | Price limit | Status |
|---|
| Direct Homebuyer Soft Second Mortgage Assistance | Up to $55,000 in soft second mortgage assistance | Not stated | Required (or no home owned in the past 3 years) | At or below 80% of area median income | $324,000 | Offered |
|---|
Income and price limits often vary by household size. Look up your county's area median income and HUD income limits.
Local programs
City of New Orleans Office of Community Development
- Amount
- Up to $55,000 in soft second mortgage assistance
- First-time buyer
- Required (or no home owned in the past 3 years)
- Status
- Offered
- Income limit
- At or below 80% of area median income
- Purchase price limit
- $324,000
Bridges the gap between the purchase price and the maximum first mortgage. Closing cost help of up to $5,000 (no more than 50% of total closing costs) is also available. HUD-approved homebuyer education and a first mortgage from an approved lender are required; the home must be in Orleans Parish.
Last checked Nov 3, 2026 · Official source (opens in new tab) ↗
Statewide help in Louisiana
You may also qualify for 3 statewide Louisiana programs. Local and state assistance can sometimes be layered; confirm with each administrator.
- HomeStart Assist (Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC)) — 4% of the first mortgage
- HomeStart Advantage (Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC)) — 4% of the first mortgage
- HomeStart Plus (Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC)) — Up to 20% of the purchase price (up to $55,000) plus up to $5,000 closing cost assistance
Check eligibility for Louisiana How to apply
Compare these programs · AMI / income limits · All Louisiana programs
HUD-approved homebuyer counselors in New Orleans, Louisiana (4)
Many down payment programs require a homebuyer class or counseling session. These agencies are approved by HUD and offer pre-purchase counseling or homebuyer education, usually free or low cost. From HUD's housing counselor list ↗, retrieved Nov 4, 2026.
Common questions
Does City of New Orleans offer down payment assistance?
Yes. We list 1 local program checked against official pages: Direct Homebuyer Soft Second Mortgage Assistance from City of New Orleans Office of Community Development (Up to $55,000 in soft second mortgage assistance).
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer for City of New Orleans assistance?
The official pages state: Direct Homebuyer Soft Second Mortgage Assistance: Required (or no home owned in the past 3 years).
What are the income limits for City of New Orleans down payment assistance?
Published on the official pages: Direct Homebuyer Soft Second Mortgage Assistance: At or below 80% of area median income. Confirm current limits with the administrator.
What are the purchase price limits for City of New Orleans assistance?
Published on the official pages: Direct Homebuyer Soft Second Mortgage Assistance: $324,000.
How does Direct Homebuyer Soft Second Mortgage Assistance work?
Bridges the gap between the purchase price and the maximum first mortgage. Closing cost help of up to $5,000 (no more than 50% of total closing costs) is also available. HUD-approved homebuyer education and a first mortgage from an approved lender are required; the home must be in Orleans Parish.
Can I combine City of New Orleans assistance with statewide Louisiana programs?
Sometimes. Louisiana also has 3 statewide programs listed here; whether they can be layered with local help depends on each program's rules, so ask both administrators.
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