First Time Home Buyer Baton Rouge

Here are some tips for a first–time home buyer in Baton Rouge, updated June 2023. According to Louisiana.gov,  the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) is committed to “ensuring every Louisiana resident is granted an opportunity to obtain safe, affordable, energy-efficient housing.” They offer several programs specific to people of different incomes and needs.

Nearly all of them are designed to offset the out-of-pocket costs of a home purchase, which include the down payment and closing costs. Specific to Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish is a program that provides up to $50K in “interest-free gap financing,” according to City.BRLA.gov. It’s up to $25k for existing homes and up to $50K for new construction, both in designated areas. Otherwise, it’s up to $23K for new construction outside of designated areas.

These loans are sponsored by HUD for people who likely wouldn’t otherwise qualify for an interest-free loan. To qualify, applicants must be citizens of Louisiana with no home purchases in three years. Annual income caps are set at $42.5K for two-person households and $53.1K for four. The Copper Oaks subdivision off of Mickens Rd. is one of the designated groups of housing.

• Learn how a first-time home buyer in Baton Rouge can get expert help from a local RE agent.