Louisiana FHA Loan Requirements 2026
2026 FHA loan limits for all 64 Louisiana parishes, the credit and down payment minimums that actually apply, how mortgage insurance premiums work, and how an FHA loan pairs with Louisiana Housing Corporation assistance.
2026 FHA Loan Limits in Louisiana
Every Louisiana parish is at the 2026 national FHA floor. There is no high-cost parish, no metro exception and no tiering — the limit in Orleans Parish is the same as the limit in the most rural parish in the state.
| Parish | 1-Unit | 2-Unit | 3-Unit | 4-Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orleans Parish | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| Jefferson Parish | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| Caddo Parish | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| Lafayette Parish | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| St. Tammany Parish | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| Calcasieu Parish | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| Ouachita Parish | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| Rapides Parish | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
| Terrebonne Parish | $541,287 | $693,050 | $837,700 | $1,041,125 |
The ten parishes above are a sample. All 64 carry identical limits for CY2026. Confirm any parish with HUD’s FHA Mortgage Limits lookup.
FHA Loan Requirements
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Minimum down payment | 3.5% with a credit score of 580 or above |
| Credit score 500–579 | 10% down required |
| Debt-to-income | Generally up to 43%, higher with compensating factors |
| Occupancy | Primary residence only |
| Property standards | Must meet HUD Minimum Property Requirements |
| Mortgage insurance | Upfront premium plus an annual premium, both required |
Down payment and credit figures here are practical lender thresholds. FHA’s 3.5% at 580 is separately confirmable in HUD Handbook 4000.1; individual lenders often overlay a higher score requirement.
FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums
FHA mortgage insurance has two parts and neither is optional.
| Premium | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront (UFMIP) | 1.75% of the base loan amount | Usually financed into the loan |
| Annual (MIP), less than 5% down | 0.55% of the loan balance | Paid monthly; the common case |
| Annual (MIP), 5% or more down | 0.50% | 30-year term |
MIP rates are national and do not vary by state or parish. With less than 10% down, annual MIP stays for the life of the loan; at 10% or more it drops off after 11 years. Current rates are published in HUD Mortgagee Letter 2023-05.
FHA vs. Conventional in Louisiana
| Factor | FHA | Conventional |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum credit score | 580 at 3.5% down | Set by lender |
| Minimum down payment | 3.5% | 3% on some programs |
| Mortgage insurance | Upfront plus annual; often for the life of the loan | PMI only, and it cancels at 20% equity |
| Loan limit in Louisiana | $541,287 | $832,750 |
| Gift funds | Permitted for the entire down payment | Permitted, with conditions |
| Property condition | Must meet HUD standards | More flexible |
The gap between the two limits is unusually wide in Louisiana, because every parish sits at the FHA floor while the conforming limit is the national baseline. A buyer above $541,287 is out of FHA territory across the entire state.
Pairing FHA with LHC Assistance
FHA loans pair with Louisiana Housing Corporation assistance, and for many buyers that combination is the practical route to a purchase.
- The FHA loan covers the 3.5% minimum down payment requirement
- A HomeStart second mortgage supplies some or all of that 3.5%, plus closing cost help
- LHC requires a 640 credit score, which is above FHA’s 580 practical floor — so the assistance, not the FHA loan, is usually the binding constraint
Compare current terms with the Louisiana Housing Corporation before assuming a pairing works; program terms change without reference to the FHA calendar.
