The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana Homeownership Program
The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Lake Charles, Louisiana, administered by The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana, Inc.
The program asks for
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: No fixed minimum FICO; partner on a no-profit, no-interest basis.
- A completed homebuyer education course, through Fuller Center SWLA credit counseling and home management classes
- Residency: Southwest Louisiana (Lake Charles/Calcasieu area)
- Sweat equity required (works on own home and others'). Repayment via no-interest loan covering home cost. Credit counseling / home-management classes. Contact office by phone for application info. Specific income thresholds not published (left blank). Fuller Center assistance_type 'other'; not a cash DPA grant.
- A home in Calcasieu Parish
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- Homes outside Calcasieu Parish
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
Where it applies
Calcasieu Parish’s homesCalcasieu Parish’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 68.5% single-familysingle-family
- 1.4% townhousetownhouse
- 6.4% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 9.6% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 14.1% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$217,000
Calcasieu Parish median home value
41%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Calcasieu Parish
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through Fuller Center SWLA credit counseling and home management classes.
Contact The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana, Inc. to reserve funds
Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.
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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Questions about this program
What is The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana Homeownership Program?
The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Lake Charles, Louisiana, administered by The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana, Inc. The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana is an active covenant partner in the Lake Charles area that partners with low-income families to build or repair simple, affordable homes. Homeowners invest sweat equity and repay cost through a no-profit, no-interest loan at an affordable monthly payment. A sweat-equity / 0%-interest-loan model, not a cash down payment grant. No-profit, no-interest loan. Affordable monthly payments. Homeowner helps build. Hand-up model. Serves Southwest Louisiana. Funding comes from Donations, volunteer labor, donated materials, gifts of land/services.
Do you have to pay it back?
The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana, Inc.. Repayment is triggered by Monthly payments on a no-interest loan repaying cost of new home or repair, at an affordable amount. 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?
The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana Homeownership Program is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. On credit, the program states: No fixed minimum FICO; partner on a no-profit, no-interest basis. A homebuyer education course is required, through Fuller Center SWLA credit counseling and home management classes. Residency requirement: Southwest Louisiana (Lake Charles/Calcasieu area). Sweat equity required (works on own home and others'). Repayment via no-interest loan covering home cost. Credit counseling / home-management classes. Contact office by phone for application info. Specific income thresholds not published (left blank). Fuller Center assistance_type 'other'; not a cash DPA grant.
What are the income limits?
The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana Homeownership Program sets its income limit as follows: Serves low-income individuals/families unable to obtain adequate conventional financing (specific AMI thresholds not published). 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?
The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.
Where does it apply?
The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
How do you apply?
Applications for The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana Homeownership Program go through The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana, Inc., which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Also for Calcasieu Parish homebuyersOther programs open to Calcasieu Parish homebuyers
- FHLB Dallas Homebuyer Equity Leverage Partnership (HELP) - LouisianaUp to $20,000
- Louisiana Housing Corporation Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) ProgramUp to $2,000
- HOPE Credit Union Affordable Housing ProgramAssistance available
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 71 programs for Calcasieu ParishProgram terms are set by The Fuller Center for Housing of Southwest Louisiana, Inc. and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.