Shreveport HAPPI down payment help, explained

What HAPPI is

HAPPI is a City of Shreveport Department of Community Development program. Catholic Charities of North Louisiana (CCNLA) partners with the City on counseling, homebuyer education, and packet intake. Assistance is delivered through HAPPI-approved private lenders, not through The LN Co.

You should not pay a middleman "grant fee" to access HAPPI. Work with the City's process and an approved lender.

How much help?

Public sources do not all quote one fixed dollar cap, so we report what each says and ask you to verify:

• The City of Shreveport says the maximum assistance is up to 20% of the sales price or appraised value, whichever is lesser, depending on percentage of area median income, with other incentives possible in designated homeownership zones.
• CCNLA (the City's HAPPI partner) currently describes assistance as up to $10,000 in down payment, buy-down, and closing cost help.

Verify current terms with an approved lender (and with CCNLA / the City) before you budget. Rules and dollar figures change.

Sources (checked October 31, 2026):

• City of Shreveport — Home Ownership Assistance (HAPPI)
• CCNLA — HAPPI Program
• CCNLA — HAPPI approved lenders

Who usually qualifies

From the City and CCNLA pages, buyers typically need to meet all of these (confirm each with your lender):

• Household income at or below 80% AMI as HUD sets it for the City each year
• Be a first-time homebuyer (often: have not owned or held title in the last three years; inherited homes may still qualify — ask)
• Complete an approved homebuyer education class (CCNLA offers classes; certificate is typically good for one year)
• Purchase a home in a HAPPI neighborhood as your primary residence
• Qualify for a mortgage with a HAPPI-approved lender

The City also notes that HUD/VA repossessed properties and manufactured housing are not eligible for assistance, and that other property standards apply. Confirm with the City / your lender.

HAPPI neighborhoods (CCNLA list — verify)

Allendale, Caddo Heights, Cedar Grove, Cherokee Park, Greenwood Acres, Highland, Hollywood, Ingleside, Lakeside, Ledbetter Heights, Martin Luther King, Mooretown, Queensborough, Reisor, Solo Hood, Stoner Hill, Sunset Acres, Waterside, Werner Park.

Neighborhood lists change. Confirm the current map with CCNLA or the City before you shop.

How people usually apply

1. Meet a HUD-certified housing counselor if you need credit, debt, or income help first.
2. Complete an approved homebuyer education class and keep the certificate.
3. Work with a HAPPI-approved lender on a mortgage for a home in a HAPPI neighborhood.
4. The lender submits a completed packet (often through CCNLA) to the City for review. Allow several business days after a complete packet.

Stacking HAPPI with Soft Second is a question for the lender and the agencies — never promise it. See our Soft Second guide.

How it fits with The LN Co

HAPPI is a City mortgage path. Rent to own with us is different: we own the homes, there is no credit check and no bank qualifying with us. We will not promise HAPPI approval or tell you the City will say yes.

If you want a plain check of which path fits, take our Home-Ready quiz (self-reported answers only; we never pull your credit) or call Vana at (318) 310-4663.

What to do next

1. Take the Home-Ready quiz.
2. Register for a CCNLA first-time homebuyer class if HAPPI is on your list.
3. Call a HAPPI-approved lender, or call Vana about our rent to own homes if a City / bank path is not the right fit right now.

Updated October 31, 2026