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City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program

City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Community Development · Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$50,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

$53,100

The household income limit the program publishes

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program?

City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, administered by City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Community Development.

  • The City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Community Development offers a Homebuyer Assistance Program providing HUD-funded, interest-free (0%) gap-financing loans of up to $25,000 for existing homes and up to $50,000 for new construction in designated areas. The loans help buyers who might not otherwise qualify for a sufficient first mortgage and may be applied to down payment or closing costs. The deferred loan is repaid upon sale or transfer of the property.
  • Up to $25,000 (existing) / $50,000 (new construction).
  • Interest-free (0%).
  • Deferred until sale or transfer.
  • Usable for down payment or closing costs.
  • Covers most of East Baton Rouge Parish.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds administered by the EBR Office of Community Development.

How much assistance does it provide?

City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $50,000 in assistance.

  • Award tiers: Up to $25,000 for existing homes; up to $50,000 for new construction in designated areas.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Community Development determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

  • Repayment is triggered by Interest-free (0%) deferred loan that must be paid off upon the sale or transfer of the purchased property; borrowers may repay at any time.
  • The assistance is recorded in Second position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Applicants must not have owned a home in the last three years, or may qualify as a displaced homemaker or single parent.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Required homebuyer education course offered through the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-12): pending review. Excludes incorporated Baker, Central, and Zachary. Required homebuyer education through Mid City Redevelopment Alliance. GAP NOTES: income limits and full eligibility detail were not available on a single live official program page at verification (the City's CivicEngage announcement and direct-contact line were the primary confirmation). Dollar figures come from the City's official program announcement and should be re-confirmed by phone at (225) 389-3039. A dedicated current program web page / guidelines PDF was not located on brla.gov at verification time - documentation gap.

The program excludes

  • Households above $53,100

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program limits household income to $53,100.

  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program can be used for Single Family.

  • New construction is eligible.

Where does it apply?

City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program is a federal program, so it is not limited to Louisiana.

  • The program targets specific areas: Higher assistance (up to $50,000) for new construction in designated areas; excludes incorporated Baker, Central, and Zachary.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Homebuyer Assistance Program go through City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Community Development, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Required homebuyer education course offered through the Mid City Redevelopment Alliance..

  2. Contact City of Baton Rouge / East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Community Development to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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