Home financing in Caddo Parish.
County-by-county financing guides. No paperwork. No social. No ID.
9 institutions are headquartered inside the Caddo Parish line, Shreveport included, and 6 more keep a branch here. Below, we say which is which.
Not this lane? Business FinancingPersonal Financing
The doors in Caddo Parish.
The CDFIs, credit unions, and microlenders that actually say yes — county by county, in two languages. We are not a lender. Nobody paid to be listed. And where a county has no good doors, we say so.
- 15
- DOORS HERE
- 9
- BASED HERE
- 43
- LA COUNTIES WITH DOORS
- Lane
- Home Financing
- People
- 238Kresidents of Caddo Parish
- Covers
- Shreveport
- Elsewhere in LA
- Orleans Parish →28 doors — the biggest list of any other county in Louisiana
- State
- Louisiana →43 of 64 counties hold a door in this lane
Certified by the U.S. Treasury to lend where a bank will not. Nonprofit, patient, and used to a file that is not clean.
Aneca Credit Union · Bossier Credit UnionOwned by their members, not by shareholders. They look at your whole story rather than a score, and that is the difference when a bank says no.
Aneca Credit Union · Barksdale Credit Union- Aneca Credit UnionCDFI-certifiedPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Louisiana Catholic Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Post Office Employees Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- State Agencies Credit UnionPersonal · Home
- Wesla Credit UnionPersonal · Home
- IN THIS LIST
3 of the 15 doors inside the county line are CDFI-certified.
The U.S. Treasury certifies them to lend to the people banks pass over. It is a loan, not a favour.
- Willis Knighton Credit UnionPersonal · Home
- Avenue Baptist Brotherhood Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal
- Caddo Parish Teachers Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal
Show the other 1Show fewer
- Shreveport Police Credit UnionPersonal
Based elsewhere, with a member-facing office inside the Caddo Parish line. You can walk in.
- Barksdale Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Bossier Credit UnionCDFI-certifiedPersonal · Home
- Campus Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Carter Credit UnionCDFI-certifiedPersonal · Home · Business capital
- James Ward, Jr. Credit UnionMinority depositoryPersonal · Home
- NO AGENDA
Nobody paid to be on this list.
The 15 doors inside the county line come off public data, and 15 of them are owned by their own members. We do not ask for your name, and we earn nothing if you knock on one door rather than another.
- Red River Employees Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Mission Asset FundAccepts ITIN
Zero-interest lending circles and credit building. SSN or ITIN accepted. Works through nonprofit partners across the country.
Personal - Accion Opportunity FundAccepts ITIN
Nonprofit small-business lender. Accepts ITIN in place of SSN. Serves most states, in English and Spanish.
Business capital - Grameen AmericaAccepts ITIN
Microloans for women entrepreneurs. Requires photo ID and proof of address — no SSN requirement. Branches in major metro areas.
Business capital
How to read this list.
We do not ask for your name, your email, or your number. Nothing on this page changes based on who you are.
A door is headquartered here when its head office sits inside the county line. The rest are based elsewhere and keep a branch you can walk into. We list both, and we label which is which.
Every institution on this page comes from public federal data — the CDFI Fund certified list (Aug 2026), NCUA credit union data (Jun 2026), and the SBA microloan intermediary list (Sep 2026) — plus a short national tier we verified by hand. We refresh each list as its agency publishes. No listing is paid.
Buying a home in Caddo Parish — the heart of the Shreveport-Bossier City metro — is within reach for many solo workers, first-time buyers, and small investors, including those who use an ITIN instead of a Social Security Number. This guide walks you through what home financing is, who typically qualifies in this region, what paperwork to gather, and which local lenders, credit unions, and nonprofits actually serve Caddo Parish residents. It also covers Louisiana-specific programs and flags the warning signs of predatory lending so you can protect yourself every step of the way.
What Is Home Financing?
Home financing means borrowing money to purchase, refinance, or improve a property, then repaying that loan — plus interest — over time. The most common type is a mortgage, where the home itself serves as collateral. In Caddo Parish, buyers can access several loan structures:
- 01**Conventional loans**
Offered by banks and credit unions, usually requiring good credit and a down payment of 3–20%.
- 02**FHA loans**
Insured by the federal government, allowing lower credit scores and down payments as low as 3.5%. A popular entry point for first-time buyers in Shreveport and surrounding communities.
- 03**USDA Rural Development loans**
Zero-down loans for eligible rural and semi-rural areas in Caddo Parish outside Shreveport's core.
- 04**VA loans**
For eligible veterans and active-duty military, with no down payment required. Barksdale Air Force Base means many Caddo Parish residents qualify.
- 05**ITIN-based mortgages**
Some community lenders offer mortgages to borrowers who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security Number.
- MISSING ONE?Ask Iris which one you're missing.ASK A QUESTION ↓
Who Qualifies in Caddo Parish?
Caddo Parish's economy centers on healthcare (Ochsner LSU Health, Willis-Knighton), education (LSU Shreveport, Centenary College), energy, manufacturing, and a growing small-business sector. This means many residents are hourly workers, self-employed contractors, gig workers, or recent small-business owners — all of whom can qualify for a home loan, though the process may look a little different.
General qualification factors lenders look at:
- Credit score: Most conventional loans prefer 620+; FHA allows scores as low as 580 (sometimes 500 with a larger down payment).
- Income stability: Lenders typically want two years of consistent income. Self-employed applicants should expect to show two years of tax returns.
- Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Most lenders prefer your total monthly debt payments to be no more than 43–45% of your gross monthly income.
- Down payment: Ranges from 0% (VA, USDA) to 3–20% depending on loan type.
- Residency: You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to buy a home in Louisiana. ITIN holders can access certain loan products through community lenders.
Local economic context: Median home prices in Caddo Parish tend to be significantly lower than the national average, often in the $130,000–$200,000 range depending on the neighborhood. This makes the parish accessible to moderate-income buyers — especially when paired with down-payment assistance programs available in Louisiana.
Get your papers in order.
Getting your paperwork together early saves time and reduces stress. Here is what most lenders in Caddo Parish will ask for:
Identity & Residency
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or consular ID)
- Social Security Number or ITIN
- Proof of residency (utility bills, lease agreements)
Income Documentation
- Last two years of federal tax returns (W-2s, 1099s, or Schedule C if self-employed)
- Last two to three months of pay stubs
- Last two to three months of bank statements
- If self-employed: profit-and-loss statement for the current year
Assets & Debts
- Recent statements for all bank, retirement, and investment accounts
- List of monthly debts (car loans, student loans, credit cards)
Property
- Purchase agreement (once you are under contract)
- Property address for appraisal and title search
Tip: If you are paid in cash or have irregular income — common for contractors and small-business owners in Caddo Parish — ask your lender upfront how they handle non-traditional income documentation. Some community lenders and CDFIs are more flexible than large national banks.
The doors worth knowing.
This is where local relationships matter most. The following organizations are known to serve Caddo Parish residents — including lower-income buyers, self-employed workers, and ITIN holders.
ALL 15 DOORS, BY NAME AND BY TOWN- 15
- DOORS HERE
- 73
- ACROSS LA
Based in Shreveport, Louisiana. A credit union — owned by its members rather than by shareholders, which is exactly what changes the conversation after a bank has said no. It is CDFI-certified.
BEST FORA personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing, and buying, repairing or refinancing a home.Based in Bossier City, Louisiana. A member-owned credit union, which means the people deciding on your file answer to depositors in the same towns you work in. It is CDFI-certified.
BEST FORBuying, repairing or refinancing a home, and a personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing.Based in Springhill, Louisiana. A credit union: no shareholders to satisfy, and a habit of reading a whole story rather than a single score. It is CDFI-certified.
BEST FORWorking capital, equipment and payroll for a small business, and a personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing.Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. A credit union — owned by its members rather than by shareholders, which is exactly what changes the conversation after a bank has said no.
BEST FORA personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing, and buying, repairing or refinancing a home.
Don't fall into these traps.
Caddo Parish, like many Southern metros, has seen its share of predatory lending — especially in lower-income neighborhoods in and around Shreveport. Here is what to watch for:
High-pressure tactics
A legitimate lender will never rush you to sign. If someone tells you the rate is only available "today" or that you need to decide "before the weekend," walk away. Take your time.
Balloon payment loans
Some lenders offer low monthly payments that end in a large lump sum ("balloon") due after a few years. If you cannot refinance or pay that balloon, you can lose your home. Ask directly: "Is there a balloon payment on this loan?"
Yield spread premiums / excessive broker fees
Be wary of brokers who steer you toward higher-rate loans in exchange for larger commissions. Ask for a Loan Estimate (required by federal law within three business days of application) and compare it line by line across lenders.
Deed theft and equity stripping
This is a documented problem in older, lower-income neighborhoods in Shreveport. Scammers offer to "help" homeowners in distress by having them sign documents that transfer ownership. Never sign any document you do not fully understand. Get a second opinion from a HUD counselor or housing attorney.
Rent-to-own contracts without attorney review
Some rent-to-own arrangements in Caddo Parish are structured as land contracts that leave the buyer with few legal protections. If you are considering rent-to-own, have a licensed Louisiana real estate attorney review the contract first.
Unlicensed lenders
Always verify that your lender holds a current Louisiana mortgage license at ofi.louisiana.gov. Unlicensed lending is illegal and leaves you without consumer protections.
Payday loans or title loans for down payments
Using a payday loan or car title loan to fund your down payment is a red flag that lenders will notice — and it puts you in a dangerous debt cycle. Down payment assistance programs through LHC and local CDFIs are a far safer path.
Everything below is set by Louisiana, and it reads the same in every county in it. The 15 marks above are this county's own doors — who opens one is decided by them, not by the state.
The rules where you are.
Louisiana has several state-level programs that directly benefit Caddo Parish homebuyers. These are not widely advertised, so knowing about them gives you a real advantage.
Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) Programs
— provides a second mortgage for down payment and closing cost assistance, forgivable after a period of owner-occupancy. Available through participating lenders statewide.
— below-market interest rate mortgages for first-time buyers who meet income and purchase price limits. Caddo Parish income and price limits are typically higher than state minimums due to the metro area.
— eligible teachers, firefighters, EMTs, and law enforcement officers can buy HUD-owned homes at 50% off list price in certain Caddo Parish census tracts. Property Tax & Legal Notes Louisiana uses a homestead exemption of up to $75,000 in assessed value for owner-occupied primary residences. File with the Caddo Parish Assessor's office after closing to reduce your annual property tax bill — this is free and important. Louisiana is a community property state, which affects how jointly owned homes are handled in estate planning and divorce. Consult a Louisiana-licensed real estate attorney if you are purchasing with a partner.
— all mortgage lenders in Louisiana must be licensed through the Office of Financial Institutions (OFI). You can verify any lender's license at **ofi.louisiana.gov** before you sign. Flood zone disclosure is legally required in Louisiana. Many parts of Caddo Parish near the Red River and its tributaries are in FEMA flood zones. Ask your real estate agent and lender about flood insurance costs before making an offer — this can significantly affect your monthly payment.
The short version.
- 01
Here is everything on one page:
- 02
What you are doing: Borrowing money to buy a home, secured by the property, repaid over time with interest.
- 03
Your best local starting points in Caddo Parish:
- 04
1. Call a HUD-approved housing counselor first — free, unbiased, no strings attached (1-800-569-4287).
Same county, another question.
Business FinancingLoans, lines of credit, and capital for small businesses and contractorsSEE IT IN CADDO PARISH →
Personal FinancingPersonal loans, credit building, and ITIN-friendly financing optionsSEE IT IN CADDO PARISH →43LA COUNTIES WITH DOORSThe whole stateEvery county in Louisiana, in this same lane.73 institutions fund homes and repairs inside Louisiana county lines.OPEN THE STATE →Still don't see your situation?
Ask Iris. She'll explain it the way it should have been explained the first time.