Utah is known for its strong economy, growing communities, and access to outdoor recreation. From the expanding tech hub along the Silicon Slopes to the established neighborhoods across the Wasatch Front, the state offers a mix of opportunity and quality of life.
To support buyers across this diverse landscape, Utah offers a range of down payment assistance (DPA) programs that cater to various income levels, professions, and regions. These initiatives include everything from forgivable loans and deferred-payment options to outright grants, each designed to reduce the upfront costs of buying a home.
This guide spotlights some of the most well-established and widely available DPA programs across the state. While it doesn’t capture every option, it highlights some of the most widely available and impactful options. We’ll continue to update this page as new programs launch and existing ones evolve.
What Is AMI?
AMI stands for Area Median Income. It’s basically the midpoint income for a particular area, and housing programs often use it to help determine who qualifies for assistance.
The income rules can vary from one program to another. Some programs may require you to earn less than the local AMI, while others may allow you to earn up to or even above that amount.
Example: Say a down payment assistance program has an income limit of 80% of AMI. If the AMI where you’re buying is $83,000 per year and you earn $65,000, you meet the program’s income requirement.
You can look up the AMI for a specific property using Fannie Mae’s AMI Lookup Tool.
Statewide Down Payment Assistance Programs
Utah offers several programs that are accessible no matter where in the state you're buying. These tend to have broad eligibility and are available through participating lenders.
Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) Down Payment Assistance
The Utah Housing Corporation offers 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loans paired with down payment assistance second mortgages, available through approved lenders. Buyers can use FHA, VA, or Freddie Mac financing. Second mortgages cover up to 6% of the first loan (max $27,500) and come as a monthly-payment loan. The interest rate is one percentage point above the first mortgage rate, capped at 8%.
There is a deferred option with no monthly payments for loans of up to 3.5% of the main mortgage's value, capped at $27,500. This second mortgage has a 30-year term and a fixed rate of 3.5% deferred simple interest. The outstanding principal and deferred interest are due upon maturity, sale, or refinance of the property.
Eligibility: FirstHome generally requires no ownership of a primary residence in the past three years, with single-parent and veteran exceptions, and a 660 credit score; FHA/VA and Freddie Mac HFA Advantage options allow repeat buyers with scores of 620 and 680, respectively. HFA Advantage requires a 700 score for two- to four-unit properties. Income limits vary by mortgage program, and FirstHome also has purchase-price limits.
Utah First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program (SB240)
The UHC First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program offers up to $20,000 as a 0% interest, deferred-payment loan for first-time buyers purchasing a new construction home. The funds can be used for down payment, closing costs, or a permanent rate buy-down. If you sell or refinance, you'll pay the lesser of the amount of assistance you received or 50% of the home equity amount. A refinance into another qualifying UHC mortgage may allow the assistance loan to remain in place instead of requiring repayment.
Eligibility: You must be a Utah resident for at least 12 consecutive months, meet the program’s first-time homebuyer rules, and purchase a newly constructed, never-inhabited home priced at $450,000 or less. You must use a UHC first mortgage through an approved participating lender.
Home$tart
Home$tart provides up to $15,000 in grant assistance for down payment and closing costs through participating Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines member institutions. The grant has a five-year retention requirement. Selling, transferring, or refinancing the home during that period may require repayment, generally the lesser of the grant reduced for each month of ownership or net proceeds after your investment. Exceptions apply, including a refinance that keeps the required retention agreement in place.
Eligibility: Household income must be at or below 80% of AMI, and the home must be your primary residence. At least one borrower must meet the program’s first-time homebuyer definition, generally no ownership of a primary residence in the past three years, and complete an approved financial literacy course before closing.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by County
Several counties in Utah administer their own DPA programs for buyers in qualifying locations.
Utah County Loan to Own Program
The Utah County “Loan To Own Program” helps first-time homebuyers in Utah County (excluding Provo, Fairfield, Highland, and Woodland Hills) with up to $40,000 in down payment assistance as a 0% interest deferred loan. Borrowers may be eligible for 50% loan forgiveness if the property remains their primary residence for the required five or ten years, depending on how much they borrow.
Forgiveness is not incremental. The remaining balance is due when the home is sold, transferred, or no longer your primary residence; approved refinancing without a cash out may allow the loan to remain in place. Selling or moving out within two years can add a $5,000 penalty, limited to available net proceeds.
Eligibility: You must be a first-time buyer with household income at or below 80% AMI, complete a homebuyer education course, and purchase a home in a qualifying Utah County location. Purchase price must be below $495,000. Each applicant needs a credit score of at least 650, and you must contribute at least $1,000 of your own funds.
Davis County Homeownership Assistance Program
Davis County offers a county-backed loan that provides up to $50,000 in assistance as a deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments and 1% interest compounded annually. The loan and accrued interest are repayable if the property is sold, exchanged, transferred, no longer your primary residence, or refinanced for a non-qualifying reason. Approved qualifying refinances may allow the loan to remain in place.
Eligibility: A $1,000 borrower contribution and cash reserve to cover one month of housing expenses is required at closing, and properties must be located in Davis County, including Layton City. Household income must be at or below 80% of AMI, the purchase price cannot exceed $500,000, and homebuyer education is required.
Wasatch County Down Payment Assistance Loan
The Wasatch County Down Payment Assistance Loan offers assistance of up to 5% of a home’s purchase price, with a minimum loan of $2,500, based on the buyer’s need. This is a 2% interest loan repaid monthly over 30 years. Funds can cover the down payment on a single-family home or condominium in Wasatch County, but cannot cover closing costs. The home must remain owner-occupied throughout the loan; qualified assumptions and refinancing without a cash out may be approved by the housing authority.
Eligibility: You must not have owned any real property in the past three years, have household income at or below 80% of AMI, and work in Wasatch County or have a signed contract for future employment there. You must contribute at least $4,000, qualify with a first-mortgage lender, and complete approved homebuyer education or financial counseling before closing.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by City
If you're buying within city limits, you may qualify for special DPA programs administered at the city level.
Provo City – Home Purchase Plus
The Provo City "Home Purchase Plus" Program offers up to $60,000 as a 0% interest deferred loan, with 50% forgiven after 5, 10, or 15 years of continuous owner occupancy, depending on the loan amount. Forgiveness is not incremental. The remaining balance is due when the home is sold, transferred, or no longer your primary residence; approved refinancing without a cash out may allow the loan to remain in place. Selling or moving out within two years can add a $5,000 penalty, limited to available net proceeds.
Eligibility: You must be a first-time buyer with a household income at or below 80% of AMI, a minimum credit score of 650, and a $1,000 personal contribution. The home must be in Provo and priced below $495,000, and all borrowers must complete homebuyer education.
South Jordan City RDA Down Payment Assistance
The South Jordan City DPA offers a forgivable loan that provides the lesser of $20,000 or 7.5% of the purchase price, with 100% forgiveness after 10 years of continuous owner occupancy. Selling, transferring, or moving out earlier requires prorated repayment; renting out the home requires full repayment. Selling or renting within the first two years can add a $5,000 penalty.
Eligibility: Household income must be at or below 80% of AMI, and a minimum credit score of 650 is required. Applicants generally cannot currently own a home, with limited exceptions. You must buy a primary residence in South Jordan, contribute at least $1,000, obtain a fixed-rate first mortgage, and complete homebuyer education.
Own in Ogden
Own in Ogden offers 0% interest, deferred-payment loans of up to $10,000 for eligible buyers; up to $15,000 for qualifying Ogden City employees and full-time, state-certified K–12 teachers or administrators at schools serving Ogden students; and up to $20,000 for sworn Ogden City police officers and firefighters. Funds can cover down payment, closing costs, or principal reduction.
Repayment is generally required when the home is sold, refinanced, transferred, or no longer your primary residence. Police officers and firefighters may receive full forgiveness after 10 years of continuous owner occupancy and qualifying city employment.
Eligibility: First-time buyer status is not required. Household income generally cannot exceed 80% of AMI; police and firefighter income limits may be waived depending on funding. You need a credit score of at least 620, a $500 contribution, one month of housing-payment reserves, and homebuyer education. Depending on the funding source, single-unit purchase-price limits are $430,000 for existing homes and $467,000 for new construction.
Eagle Mountain Mortgage Assistance Program
The Eagle Mountain Mortgage Assistance Program provides the lesser of $25,000 or 7.5% of the purchase price as a 0% interest, 15-year deferred loan for down payment and closing costs. No monthly payments are required. Tier 1 employees of participating public entities become eligible for partial forgiveness after three full years and full forgiveness after five; Tier 2 employees of other public entities after five and ten years; and Tier 3 buyers after ten and 15 years.
Continued owner occupancy is required, along with qualifying employment for public employees. Forgiveness is awarded only once, requires a written request, and is calculated in full years. Selling, moving out, renting, or refinancing with cash out requires repayment of the balance after any approved forgiveness; approved refinancing without a cash out may allow the loan to remain in place. Selling, moving out, renting, or refinancing with a cash out within two years can add a penalty of up to $2,000.
Eligibility: Household income must be at or below 120% of AMI. You must purchase a primary residence in Eagle Mountain, contribute at least $1,000, obtain a fixed-rate first mortgage, and complete homebuyer education. A 650 credit score is generally required, with certain automated-underwriting exceptions. Applicants generally cannot currently own another home, with limited exceptions.
Additional Down Payment Assistance Programs in Utah
Here are other programs that were not highlighted above but may still be worth exploring if you're buying in a qualifying area.
State Programs
- Chenoa Fund (nationwide program available in Utah)
County Programs
City Programs
Final Thoughts
Utah offers an impressive range of down payment assistance programs that can help you buy a home sooner and with less out-of-pocket cash. Whether you’re buying in Salt Lake City, Provo, St. George, or one of Utah’s many growing communities, there are options designed to help reduce your upfront costs. Stay informed about current mortgage rates and experiment with our loan calculators to see how much home you can afford. Taking advantage of these resources could help you move forward with confidence and make your goal of owning a home in Utah a reality.
Check with the organization directly for the most recent guidelines. While programs were fact-checked at the time of writing, requirements change often, and programs become unavailable when funds are exhausted.
