Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) Programs:
Updated May 2026UHC 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 (income limits vary by household size and county; see HUD FY2025 county tables). (HUD income limits).
- Credit score: program‑specific — UHC documents the program floors (FirstHome commonly requires ~660, FHA/VA options accept ~620+, and some conventional/HFA Advantage tracks prefer ~680–700). Exact minimums depend on the loan product and lender. (UHC program matrix) and (UHC loan overview).
- 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: Utah Housing offers two DPA tracks when paired with an approved Utah Housing first mortgage. Official UHC materials describe a Traditional DPA (fully amortizing) and a Deferred DPA (deferred interest) with clear program caps. See UHC lender PDFs for exceptions and current interest rates.
- Amount: Traditional DPA — up to 6% of the first mortgage loan amount; Deferred DPA — up to 3.5% of the first mortgage loan amount. In both tracks the assistance is limited to the lesser of the percentage or a dollar cap (UHC currently caps DPA at $27,500). (UHC Form 305) and (UHC DPA announcement).
- Terms: Traditional DPA is a 30‑year fully amortizing second mortgage (interest typically set ~1% above the first mortgage interest rate per UHC materials, subject to program limits). Deferred DPA is a 30‑year deferred‑interest second (3.5% deferred interest per UHC announcement) with no monthly payment; principal and deferred interest are due at maturity, sale, or refinance. (UHC DPA fact sheet).
- Pairing: DPA is only available when combined with an approved Utah Housing first mortgage; purchase-price limits and income limits depend on the specific first‑mortgage program and county.
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 — see the UHC Form 500 and related forms for details. (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 and occasionally uses HOME/CRA funds for DPA. Local awards vary (small HOME grants up to a few thousand to larger shared‑equity units). Check the City Housing Stability pages and program dashboards for current openings and program details. (Salt Lake City Housing Stability).
Provo / Utah County
Provo Home Purchase Plus & Loan to Own: Official Provo programs provide 0% interest, deferred second mortgages. Home Purchase Plus (Provo city) can provide up to $60,000 for households at ≤80% AMI in Provo; Loan to Own (Utah County) can provide up to $40,000 for qualifying households in the consortium area. Both have forgiveness tiers (periods of affordability vary by award size) and underwriting rules — Provo’s manual requires a minimum mid‑credit score of 650 and sets DTI/HER guidance. Check the Provo DPA page for current funding status (Provo posts funding pauses/renew dates). (Provo DPA) and (Provo DPA policies/manual).
Ogden / Weber County
Own in Ogden: Ogden’s official DPA offers 0% interest deferred second mortgages with tiered amounts (typical general award $10,000; higher tiers such as $15,000 for teachers and $20,000 for sworn police/fire) and annual income/purchase‑price caps. See Ogden’s program page for application windows and exact eligibility. (Own in Ogden).
Additional Information:
- USDA Loans: 0% down options can be available for eligible rural properties via USDA Rural Development Guaranteed or Direct programs (location and income limits apply). Contact a USDA RD-approved lender or the local RD office to verify eligibility. (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 and funding‑fee rules apply). (VA Home Loans).
- FHA Loans: FHA allows low down payment financing (minimum 3.5% with certain credit profiles). FHA credit-floor and down‑payment rules are federal; lenders may impose overlays — verify with your lender. (HUD income/limit tables) and UHC lender pages for state-specific interactions.
Always confirm current rates, underwriting overlays, program caps, and live 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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