Utah first-time home buyer programs
Utah Housing Corporation lists 5 programs that help buyers in Utah with the down payment or closing costs. Amounts and terms are shown as the agency publishes them.
- Programs from the agency
- 5
- Biggest amount listed
- $27,500
- First-time buyers only
- 3 of 5 programs
- Income caps
- Set per program
Down payment assistance programs in Utah
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Down Payment Assistance, "Subordinate Loan". With a Utah Housing Corp first mortgage home loan. | Up to 6% of the home loan, at most $27,500 | Repayable loan: 30-year second mortgage with a monthly payment, at a fixed rate 1% above your main home loan's rate (8% at most). | Ask the agency | No |
| Deferred Down Payment Assistance. With a Utah Housing Corp first mortgage home loan. | Up to 3.5% of the home loan, at most $27,500 | Deferred loan: 30-year loan at 3.5% simple interest with no monthly payment. You repay the loan and its interest when it ends, or sooner if you sell or refinance. | Ask the agency | No |
| First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program (New Construction) | Up to $20,000 | Repayable loan: This is a loan you must pay back. | Ask the agency | Yes |
| Utah First-time Homebuyer Law Enforcement Officer Assistance Program. Only for Utah law enforcement and correctional officers. The agency says: funds currently depleted. | Up to $25,000. No money left right now | Grant: A grant toward buying your first home in Utah. | Ask the agency | Yes |
| Utah Homebuyer Veteran Grant. Only for members of the military or veterans who separated in the last five years. | Up to $2,500 | Grant: Grant does not require repayment. | Ask the agency | Yes |
Usually, "first-time buyers only" means you haven't owned a home during the past three years, though every program sets a rule of its own. The name of each program links to a Utah Housing Corporation page that says whether applications are open right now. Compare down payment assistance programs across all states, or ask a lender that works with Utah's programs.
How do you repay Utah's programs?
- Repayable loan: a small second mortgage you pay back monthly, usually along with your first mortgage payment.
- Deferred loan: nothing to pay each month, but the full amount comes due when you sell, refinance or pay the first mortgage off.
- Grant: money you never pay back, used for the down payment or closing costs.
How does your income compare with Utah's caps?
Every program has its own income cap, which the table shows, and the exact chart is on that program's agency page. Use the HUD income limits lookup (FY2026) to find the figure for your county and household size. If a program relies on its own county chart or Freddie Mac's, the result can differ from HUD's number, and the agency's chart decides.
| HUD area | Median family income | HUD low-income limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $117,900 | $94,300 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi | $119,200 | $95,350 |
| Tooele County | $127,100 | $97,050 |
| Salt Lake City | $126,100 | $100,900 |
| St. George | $105,900 | $85,050 |
HUD uses about 80% of the median as a starting point. Its own caps can hold that number down, including a yearly cap on increases, so the low-income limit is under 80% in a few areas.
Talk to a lender that works with Utah programs
These programs are paid out through the agency's approved lenders, so the lender is your next step. Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with Utah's programs can explain which ones fit you.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.
Are you buying near a state border?
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming or programs for all 50 states plus DC.