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.
One key term you'll see throughout this article is “AMI”, a benchmark used to determine eligibility for most assistance programs, and understanding it is critical when applying for help.
What is AMI?
AMI, or Area Median Income, refers to the midpoint income for a specific geographic area. Many housing programs use this number to determine who qualifies for assistance. Depending on the program, you may need to earn less than 80%, 100%, or even 120% of the AMI to qualify.
Example: A DPA program perhaps requires that you make 100% or less of AMI. You find a house where AMI is $83,000 per year. You make $70,000 per year, so you may be eligible for the program.
Look up AMI by property address using Fannie Mae’s map 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 pairs 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with loans to help cover your down payment. The option with monthly payments provides up to 6% of your first mortgage amount, while the deferred option offers up to 3.5%. Both are capped at $27,500.
With the monthly-payment option, you repay the assistance over 30 years. Its interest rate is generally one percentage point higher than your first mortgage rate, up to 8%. The deferred loan charges 3.5% simple interest and has no monthly payments. You repay that loan, plus interest, after 30 years or sooner if you sell or refinance.
Eligibility: FirstHome is generally for buyers who haven’t owned a primary residence in the past three years, with exceptions for some single parents and veterans. FHA/VA and Freddie Mac HFA Advantage loans also allow repeat buyers. Minimum credit scores start at 620 for FHA/VA, 660 for FirstHome, and 680 for HFA Advantage, with higher requirements for some properties. Income and purchase-price rules depend on the loan program.
Utah First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program (SB240)
The UHC First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program offers up to $20,000 toward down payment, closing costs or a permanent reduction in your mortgage rate. The assistance is an interest-free loan with no monthly payments. If you sell or refinance, you generally repay the assistance amount or half of your home’s equity, whichever is less. Some refinances into another qualifying UHC mortgage allow you to keep the assistance loan.
Eligibility: You must have lived in Utah for at least 12 consecutive months and meet the program’s first-time buyer rules. The home must be newly built, never lived in and priced at $450,000 or less. You also need a UHC first mortgage through a participating lender.
Home$tart
Home$tart offers grants of up to $15,000 toward down payment and closing costs through participating Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines member institutions. You may need to repay part of the grant if you sell or refinance within five years, although exceptions apply.
Eligibility: Household income must be at or below 80% of AMI, and the home must be your primary residence. At least one borrower must qualify as a first-time buyer under the program’s rules and complete an approved financial literacy course.
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” offers first-time buyers up to $40,000 through an interest-free loan with no monthly payments. It serves Utah County outside Provo, Fairfield, Highland and Woodland Hills. Half the loan may be forgiven after five or ten years of living in the home, depending on how much you borrow. You must complete that full period to qualify for forgiveness.
If you sell or move out, you generally need to repay the remaining balance. Some approved refinances allow the loan to stay in place. Selling or moving out within the first two years can also bring a penalty of up to $5,000.
Eligibility: You must be a first-time buyer with household income at or below 80% of AMI and buy a home priced below $495,000 in an eligible location. Each applicant needs a credit score of at least 650. You must also contribute at least $1,000 of your own funds and complete homebuyer education.
Davis County Homeownership Assistance Program
The Davis County program offers loans of up to $50,000 to help eligible buyers purchase a home. There are no monthly payments, but interest is added to the balance each year at a 1% rate. You generally repay the loan and interest when you sell or move out. Repayment may also be required if you transfer ownership or refinance, although some approved refinances allow the loan to remain in place.
Eligibility: The home must be in Davis County, including Layton, and cost $500,000 or less. Household income cannot exceed 80% of AMI. You must contribute at least $1,000, have enough cash left to cover one month of housing expenses and complete homebuyer education.
Wasatch County Down Payment Assistance Loan
The Wasatch County Down Payment Assistance Loan offers up to 5% of the purchase price, with a minimum loan of $2,500, based on how much help you need. The loan charges 2% interest and has monthly payments spread over 30 years. It can cover the down payment on a single-family home or condo, but not closing costs. The home must remain your primary residence while the loan is outstanding.
Eligibility: You must work in Wasatch County or have a signed contract for a future job there, and you cannot have owned any real estate in the past three years. Household income must be at or below 80% of AMI. You also need to contribute at least $4,000, qualify for a first mortgage and complete approved homebuyer education or financial counseling.
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 through an interest-free loan with no monthly payments. Half the loan may be forgiven after five, ten or 15 years of living in the home, depending on the amount you borrow. Forgiveness comes at the end of that required period, rather than gradually along the way.
You generally repay the remaining balance when you sell or move out, although some approved refinances allow the loan to stay in place. Selling or moving out within the first two years can also bring a penalty of up to $5,000.
Eligibility: You must be a first-time buyer with household income at or below 80% of AMI, a credit score of at least 650 and a $1,000 personal contribution. The home must be in Provo and priced below $495,000. All borrowers must complete homebuyer education.
South Jordan City RDA Down Payment Assistance
The South Jordan City DPA offers a forgivable loan of up to $20,000 or 7.5% of the purchase price, whichever is less. The full loan is forgiven after you live in the home for ten years. Selling or moving out sooner means repaying some or all of the assistance, while renting out the home requires full repayment. Selling or renting within the first two years can also trigger a $5,000 penalty.
Eligibility: Household income must be at or below 80% of AMI, and you need a credit score of at least 650. Applicants generally cannot currently own a home, although exceptions apply. You must buy a primary residence in South Jordan, contribute at least $1,000, use a fixed-rate first mortgage and complete homebuyer education.
Own in Ogden
Own in Ogden offers up to $10,000 for eligible buyers, $15,000 for qualifying Ogden City employees and eligible K–12 teachers or school administrators serving Ogden students, and $20,000 for sworn Ogden City police officers and firefighters. Funds can help with down payment, closing costs or reducing your first mortgage balance.
The assistance is an interest-free loan with no monthly payments. You generally repay it when you sell, refinance or move out. Police officers and firefighters may qualify for full forgiveness after ten years of living in the home and continuing their qualifying city employment.
Eligibility: First-time and repeat buyers can apply. Household income generally must be at or below 80% of AMI, with some exceptions for police officers and firefighters depending on funding. You need a credit score of at least 620, a $500 contribution, one month of housing-payment reserves and homebuyer education. Purchase-price limits also apply.
Eagle Mountain Mortgage Assistance Program
The Eagle Mountain Mortgage Assistance Program offers up to $25,000 or 7.5% of the purchase price, whichever is less, for down payment and closing costs. The assistance is an interest-free, 15-year loan with no monthly payments.
Employees of participating public agencies can qualify for full forgiveness after five years. Other public employees generally need ten years, while other buyers need 15. You must keep living in the home, and public employees must also meet the employment requirements. Partial forgiveness may be available sooner. Selling, moving out, renting or refinancing with cash out before full forgiveness may mean repaying the remaining balance. An additional penalty may apply within the first two years.
Eligibility: Household income must be at or below 120% of AMI. You must buy a primary residence in Eagle Mountain, contribute at least $1,000, qualify for a fixed-rate first mortgage and complete homebuyer education. Credit scores generally start at 650, with some exceptions. Applicants generally cannot currently own another home.
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
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.
