News Summary
In the first half of 2025, foreclosure filings in south Louisiana rose dramatically, affecting several major metro areas. Data shows that 45 out of 64 parishes reported increases compared to 2024. Orleans Parish led with 434 filings, a 36% rise. Experts attribute this surge to homeowners overextending during the pandemic and rising insurance costs. While the trend is concerning, current rates remain far lower than during the 2008 mortgage crisis. Louisiana faces a broader economic slowdown, posing challenges for homeowners and policymakers alike.
New Orleans, Louisiana – Foreclosure filings in south Louisiana rose dramatically in the first half of 2025, significantly affecting the housing market in several major metro areas. According to data from Attom Data, 45 out of 64 parishes in Louisiana reported increases in residential foreclosure filings compared to the same period in 2024.
Orleans Parish experienced the most significant rise, leading the state with 434 foreclosure filings, which is a 36% increase from the previous year. Jefferson Parish followed, recording 184 filings, marking a 50% increase from 123 filings last year. St. Tammany Parish also saw a rise, with 230 filings, representing a 22% increase over 2024. In East Baton Rouge Parish, 233 filings marked a 24% rise compared to the previous year, while Lafayette Parish reported an 18% increase in filings. Livingston Parish experienced a smaller increase of 8.5%.
The overall statistics indicate a troubling trend for homeowners in the region, as Louisiana as a whole saw a 24% increase in foreclosure filings in the first half of 2025 compared to the same timeframe last year. As of September 2025, one out of every 4,700 homes in Louisiana was in foreclosure, placing the state 21st among all 50 states for foreclosure activity. Notably, Florida has a much higher rate of foreclosure, being approximately twice that of Louisiana.
Experts point to multiple factors contributing to the rise in foreclosure filings. Real estate brokers suggest that many homeowners overextended themselves during the pandemic-era housing boom of 2020-21, leading to financial strain as conditions shifted. Increased insurance premiums are also cited as a significant pressure point, as homeowners are now required to put more money into escrow accounts, which can push some out of their homes.
The economic challenges faced by Louisiana homeowners extend beyond housing. The state is experiencing a broader economic slowdown, marked by rising default rates on credit cards and auto loans. As underscored by numerous experts, there is a general national trend of increasing foreclosure activity that is not limited to Louisiana alone.
Despite these alarming statistics, experts advise against alarmism, noting that the current foreclosure rates are not approaching the levels seen during the 2008 mortgage crisis. Nationally, about 100,000 homes were in foreclosure by the end of September 2025, a far cry from the peak of over 900,000 in 2009. However, Gary Wagner from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette emphasizes that Louisiana leads the nation in the time it takes to complete a foreclosure process, averaging around 3,600 days—nearly a decade—while states like Texas complete it in less than six months.
This context is critical for understanding the current landscape of the housing market in Louisiana. With significant increases in foreclosure filings across many parishes and a broader economic slowdown impacting many families, the challenge for homeowners and policymakers alike will be navigating these issues to stabilize the market and support those affected by these financial hardships.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NOLA: Louisiana Foreclosure Rates Rising in 2025
- ATTOM Data: Foreclosure Rates by State
- Democracy Docket: Federal Court Delivers Major Win for Black Voters in Louisiana
- PR Newswire: Foreclosure Activity in First Half of 2025 Up from Previous Year
- World Property Journal: ATTOM 2024 US Foreclosure Market Report
- Wikipedia: Foreclosure
- Google Search: Louisiana Foreclosure Rates
- Google Scholar: Louisiana Foreclosure
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Foreclosure
- Google News: Louisiana Housing Market
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
