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Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge · Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

What is Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, administered by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge.

  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge partners with low-income families and volunteers to build and sell new homes at no profit and 0% interest to qualifying applicants in East Baton Rouge. Partners earn sweat-equity hours and complete financial literacy and homebuyer education; the Habitat mortgage payment will not exceed 30% of gross monthly income. A sweat-equity / 0%-mortgage model rather than a cash down payment grant.
  • 0% interest Habitat mortgage.
  • Payment capped at 30% of gross income.
  • Brand-new home.
  • Major appliances included.
  • Homebuyer coaching.
  • Funding comes from Donations, volunteer labor, recycled mortgage payments, HUD/community partners.

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge.

  • Repayment is triggered by Monthly 0% Habitat mortgage payments over loan term; home sold at no profit.
  • The assistance is recorded in First position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge Homeownership Program is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No fixed minimum FICO; <$750 non-medical debt/charge-offs, <=$3,000 medical debt, 3 credit references if no credit, 3 years since bankruptcy, 4 years since foreclosure.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Habitat Greater Baton Rouge financial literacy series, budget classes, required homeowner education; Homeward Bound Orientation
  • Residency: Lived or worked in Louisiana at least 1 year
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-12): pending review. Sweat equity: 255 hrs (one-adult) / 315 hrs (multi-adult), >=20 hrs/month. Must save $4,000 toward closing costs (incl. first-year insurance). Mortgage <=30% gross income; total DTI <=41%. Credit report fee $25/$50. Reapply 1 year after denial. Habitat assistance_type 'other' (0% mortgage/sweat-equity); not a cash DPA grant.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 80% of area median income

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?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge Homeownership Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • 27%-80% of AMI for the build area. Gross annual income limits by household size (HUD 4/18/2022): 1: $16,802-$49,784; 2: $19,202-$56,896; 3: $21,603-$64,008; 4: $24,003-$71,120; 5: $25,923-$76,810; 6: $27,843-$82,499; 7: $29,764-$88,189; 8: $31,684-$93,878.
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;s.
  • The program lists a maximum household size of 8.
  • 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?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family.

  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Habitat Greater Baton Rouge financial literacy series, budget classes, required homeowner education; Homeward Bound Orientation.

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge 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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