HELP - Home Energy Loan Program

Low Interest Home Improvement Loan Option

Through the HELP program, a homeowner can obtain a five year loan to improve the energy efficiency of their existing home. This is accomplished by DNR subsidizing one half of the financing for the energy efficient improvements at a low interest rate to participating lenders.  The maximum DNR’s participation for half of the loan amount is $6,000.  Each participating lender sets its own maximum loan amount, along with the interest rate that is charged to the homeowner. Each participating lender also services the loan for DNR. To participate in the HELP program, homeowners must utilize a lending institution participating in the program. The number of lenders participating is limited. For a list of participating lenders click on the title "Lender Participants" located at the bottom of this page.
To participate in the HELP loan program you must be a current resident of the State of Louisiana, and the property on which the improvements are to be made must also be located in Louisiana. View Limits of Participation The HELP home improvement loan may be a consumer loan or a second mortgage, which is determined by the participating lender. Credit worthiness is also determined by the lender. For other questions or assistance, you may call 1-800-836-9589.

Qualifying Options for HELP Home Improvement Loans

There are two ways homeowners can qualify for HELP low-interest home improvement loans. They can have an energy rating conducted on their home or they can choose from a list of pre-approved improvements. A HELP Energy Improvement Loan Application is included in this document and includes the pre-approved improvement list.

Energy Rating Option

The prospective borrower can obtain a home energy rating by a Home Energy Rebate Option (HERO) energy rater. All recommendations of the energy rating are eligible for financing under the program. The cost of the energy rating may be financed as part of the loan.

Pre-approved Prescriptive List

The prospective borrower can choose from a list of pre-approved items. Anything on the list is automatically eligible for financing under the program. A list of pre-approved items is linked below.

• Lender Participants
• Prescriptive List

For the convenience of our Energy Raters, we are providing the following direct link to RESNET, a national not-for-profit membership corporation, which is the organization that sets standards for building energy efficiency rating systems: http://www.resnet.us/.

Click HERE for a graph and table showing the number and value of HELP activitiy by year.