First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Utah

Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) Programs:

UHC provides low‑cost 30‑year fixed mortgage options (FirstHome, FHA/VA bond loans, HFA/Freddie Mac products) through approved lenders, plus a down payment/closing‑cost second mortgage that pairs with those loans. Check current rates, county income limits, and daily DPA availability at utahhousingcorp.org/homeownership and UHC program PDFs linked below.

Utah First‑Time Homebuyer Mortgage Programs:

Eligibility: Generally a first‑time buyer (no ownership in the prior 3 years — program exceptions exist for single parents, veterans, etc.).
Offerings: 30‑year fixed mortgages (UHC FirstHome, FHA/VA bond, HFA Advantage/conventional options) through UHC participating lenders.
Requirements:

• Income: county‑specific HUD/UHC limits apply — check UHC and HUD area tables (AMI varies; Salt Lake MSA AMI is commonly around $120k+ as of FY2026; verify for your county). (HUD income limits).
• Credit score: program‑specific — UHC guidance shows FirstHome commonly requires ~660, FHA/VA options accept ~620+, and conventional HFA Advantage often prefers 700+. Exact minimums depend on the loan product and lender. (UHC program matrix).
• Debt‑to‑income: lenders commonly underwrite to ~45% DTI; some loans allow up to ~50% with compensating factors (lender overlays vary).
• Homebuyer education: required or strongly recommended for many UHC and local DPA programs — UHC and city partners list approved counselors.

Down Payment Assistance (DPA) — statewide (UHC):

UHC DPA Second Mortgage: UHC offers a 30‑year second mortgage when paired with a UHC first mortgage. UHC documents the DPA as generally up to 6% of the first mortgage loan amount (programs may cap assistance by dollar amounts or program type). Typical characteristics:

• Amount: up to ~6% of the first mortgage (UHC guidance) — some program tracks cap assistance at set dollar limits (UHC materials show program caps up to $25,000 in certain assistance tracks). (UHC DPA matrix).
• Terms: often a 30‑year second mortgage; interest on the second may be set relative to the first mortgage (see UHC forms). Some UHC profession‑specific or legislative programs include 0% deferred/forgivable options for qualifying occupations (see Officer / Heroes program docs).
• Pairing: DPA is only available when combined with an approved Utah Housing first mortgage product. Purchase price limits for UHC loans are determined by the specific first‑mortgage program (UHC often lists 'no purchase price limit' for some products — check the loan type).

Utah 'Heroes' / profession‑based assistance:

UHC runs targeted assistance tracks (e.g., law‑enforcement/officer assistance and other employer‑based reservations) that provide enhanced second‑mortgage assistance or forgiveness. For example, UHC Officer/Law‑Enforcement assistance documents program amounts and forgiveness schedules (some officer assistance is forgivable up to specified amounts — see UHC Form 500). (UHC Officer Assistance PDF).

Local Programs (examples — check local availability):

City and county HOME/HUD funds and nonprofit partners run local DPA programs; many are first‑come, first‑served and have periodic funding pauses. Always verify current funding and waitlist status with the city or program administrator.

Salt Lake City / Salt Lake County

Salt Lake City: The city runs homebuyer and shared‑equity programs; some HOME‑funded DPA tracks have awards under $15,000 while other local HOME grants can be larger — many SLC programs have waitlists or are temporarily closed when funding is expended. Check the City Housing Stability page for current openings and program details. (Salt Lake City Housing Stability).

Provo / Utah County

Provo Home Purchase Plus & Loan to Own: Official Provo programs run deferred, 0% interest second mortgages. As of the current guidelines, Home Purchase Plus can provide up to $60,000 (for households at ≤80% AMI, with forgiveness tiers and a 15‑year affordability period for larger awards); the Loan to Own program can provide up to $40,000 in Utah County. See Provo's DPA page for income limits, minimum credit (mid‑score 650), and funding status (funding sometimes pauses until renewals). (Provo DPA).

Ogden / Weber County

Own in Ogden: Ogden's official DPA offers deferred 0% second mortgages with tiered amounts (commonly $10,000 for general buyers; higher caps such as $15,000–$20,000 for teachers, city employees, or first‑responder tiers). Ogden posts program guidelines and funding windows on the city site. (Own in Ogden).

Additional Information:

• USDA Loans: 0% down options exist for eligible rural properties through USDA Rural Development (location and income limits apply). (USDA RD).
• VA Loans: Eligible veterans and active‑duty service members can often finance 100% (no down payment) under VA home‑loan rules (certificate of eligibility required; entitlement rules apply). (VA Home Loans).
• FHA Loans: FHA allows a minimum down payment of 3.5% with credit scores typically 580+ for the minimum down payment (higher minimums may apply based on lender overlays). Check HUD/FHA loan limits for your county. (HUD income/limit tables).

Always confirm current rates, underwriting overlays, and program funding with a UHC‑approved lender and the program administrator(s). UHC posts program PDFs and daily remaining funds on its site: utahhousingcorp.org.

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