Housing assistance in Louisiana
In Louisiana, energy bill help (LIHEAP) and weatherization are overseen by the Louisiana Housing Corporation and handled locally by community action agencies in each parish. State law does not limit rent increases, and a lease can include a written waiver of the usual 5-day notice to vacate. The Housing Authority of New Orleans is the state's largest public housing agency.
Where to apply for rental assistance and vouchers
Section 8 vouchers and public housing are run by local public housing agencies (PHAs). Each keeps its own waiting list, so apply to every agency serving places you could live. The state housing finance agency funds affordable apartments and homebuyer programs but usually does not take voucher applications.
Ask each agency: Is the waiting list open? How do I apply, and how will you contact me? Never pay to apply or to move up a list. See how to apply for Section 8 and how waiting lists work.
Programs and free legal help in Louisiana
Shelter and referrals
- Louisiana 211 Louisiana 211 Statewide Network / Louisiana Association of United Ways
Free statewide referral line that connects residents to local health and human services. Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211.
Call 211
Energy and utility bills
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Louisiana Housing Corporation
Helps with heating and cooling bills, energy crises, and repairing or replacing equipment. Apply through the community action agency for your parish, which you can find in LHC's provider directory. LHC also opens a statewide online portal during set application periods. Applying is free.
Free legal help
- LouisianaLawHelp.org Lagniappe Law Lab / Pro Bono Net
Free legal information on renting, evictions, repairs and security deposits. It also has a parish-by-parish directory of legal aid organizations and an online application for free legal help.
Repairs and weatherization
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Louisiana Housing Corporation
Makes energy-saving improvements, such as insulation, air sealing and weather-stripping, to the homes of income-eligible households. Seniors, families with children, people with disabilities and households with high energy costs get priority. Apply through the local weatherization provider.
No statewide emergency rent program? Most rent help is local. Call 211 and ask which county, charity, or community action programs are taking applications now. See emergency rental assistance.
Key tenant laws in Louisiana
Statewide rules for most private rentals. Cities, counties, subsidized housing, and your lease can add protections, and some rules have exceptions. Read the linked law before relying on a deadline.
- Security deposit limit
No statutory cap. The deposit law (R.S. 9:3251) controls how deposits are returned, but it does not set a maximum amount.
- Deposit return deadline
The deposit must be returned within one month after the lease ends. The landlord may keep only what is reasonably needed to cover the tenant's default or unreasonable wear. If any of it is kept, the landlord must send an itemized statement with the reasons, and the statute (as amended by Acts 2026, No. 63) allows up to 15 more days after that one-month mark. The tenant must give a forwarding address. These rules do not apply if the tenant abandons the unit without the required notice or before the lease ends.
- Notice before an eviction for unpaid rent
Before filing an eviction for nonpayment or any other reason, the landlord must deliver a written notice to vacate that gives the tenant at least 5 days from delivery. A lease can include a written waiver of this notice. If it does, the landlord can file for eviction as soon as the right to occupy ends.
- Landlord entry notice
No statute sets a specific notice period; check your lease. LouisianaLawHelp.org says landlords generally must give reasonable notice before entering, usually considered 24 hours, except in emergencies such as fire, flooding or a gas leak.
- Rent increases and rent control
No statewide limit on rent increases. R.S. 9:3258 also says a lessor's property rights, including the right to lease, may not be altered, abridged or diminished except by state law.
- If the landlord won’t make repairs
Repair-and-deduct exists. If the landlord fails to make necessary repairs within a reasonable time after the tenant asks, the tenant may have them made. The tenant can then demand immediate reimbursement or apply the cost to rent, but only for repairs that were necessary and costs that were reasonable.
This is general information, not legal advice. If you have a notice or court papers, contact legal aid right away. See facing eviction, security deposit rights, and repairs and habitability.
Phone lines that serve Louisiana
- Shelter, rent help, and local services211
- HUD-approved housing counseling800-569-4287
- Housing discrimination complaints (HUD)800-669-9777
- Energy assistance referral (LIHEAP)866-674-6327
- Veterans at risk of homelessness877-424-3838
- Domestic violence hotline800-799-7233
More local contacts: HUD’s Louisiana resource page.
Next steps
Sources
Checked October 10, 2026. Laws, programs, and agency websites change; confirm details with the agency or court before relying on them. Report a correction.
- R.S. 9:3251 Lessee's deposit to secure leaseLouisiana State Legislature
- Code of Civil Procedure art. 4701 Notice to vacateLouisiana State Legislature
- R.S. 9:3258 Lessor's rightsLouisiana State Legislature
- Civil Code art. 2694 Lessee's right to make repairsLouisiana State Legislature
- Landlord Access To A RentalLouisianaLawHelp.org (Lagniappe Law Lab)
- Rent And Paying RentLouisianaLawHelp.org (Lagniappe Law Lab)
- LouisianaLawHelp.orgLagniappe Law Lab / Pro Bono Net
- Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)Louisiana Housing Corporation
- Weatherization Assistance ProgramLouisiana Housing Corporation
- Louisiana 211 Statewide NetworkLouisiana Association of United Ways
- Housing Authority of New OrleansHousing Authority of New Orleans
- East Baton Rouge Parish Housing AuthorityEBRPHA
- Housing Authority of the City of ShreveportHousing Authority of the City of Shreveport
- Lafayette Housing AuthorityLafayette Housing Authority
- Public Housing Authorities datasetU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development