First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Utah

Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) Programs:

FirstHome Loan:

Eligibility: Targets first-time homebuyers (no homeownership in the past three years), single parents, displaced homemakers, or buyers in targeted areas (e.g., specific census tracts); veterans exempt from first-time requirement.
Offerings: Provides a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional) with competitive rates; can be paired with down payment assistance or Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC). Eligible properties include single-family homes, condos, townhomes, manufactured homes on permanent foundations, PUDs, or two-unit properties (owner-occupied).
Requirements:

• Income must not exceed $141,400 for a 1-2 person household or $164,950 for 3 or more in high-cost counties (e.g., Salt Lake); lower limits apply elsewhere (e.g., $113,100 in Cache County).
• Minimum credit score of 620 (660 for conventional, 700 for HFA Advantage).
• Debt-to-income ratio capped at 45% (50% with compensating factors).
• Homebuyer education course (6-8 hours, ~$75-$100) required.
• Purchase price limit of $492,300 (non-targeted areas) or $601,450 (targeted areas) for single-family homes; $630,200 (non-targeted) or $769,950 (targeted) for two-unit properties.
• Minimum borrower contribution of $500-$1,000 plus one month’s housing cost reserves.

Learn more about FirstHome Loan

HomeAgain Loan:

Description: Offers a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional) for repeat buyers or those ineligible for FirstHome; can be paired with up to 6% down payment assistance as a second mortgage.
Requirements: Same income and purchase price limits as FirstHome; minimum credit score of 620 (660 for conventional, 700 for HFA Advantage); homebuyer education course required; DTI capped at 45% (50% with compensating factors); minimum contribution of $500-$1,000.

Learn more about HomeAgain Loan

Score Program:

Description: Provides a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with up to 4% assistance as a second mortgage (1% above first mortgage rate, repayable over 30 years) for buyers with credit scores as low as 620; no first-time buyer requirement, but buyers must not own other property at closing.
Requirements: Same income and purchase price limits as FirstHome; DTI up to 50%; homebuyer education course required.

Learn more about Score Program

UHC Down Payment Assistance:

Benefits: Offers up to 6% of the first mortgage amount (e.g., $12,000 on a $200,000 loan) as a 30-year, fixed-rate second mortgage (1% above first mortgage rate) for down payment and closing costs; available with FirstHome, HomeAgain, Score, or NoMI loans. First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program (SB240) provides up to $20,000 (0% interest, no monthly payments, repayable upon sale/refinance with up to 50% home equity due) for new-construction homes (price ≤$450,000), limited to ~2,500 applicants.
Eligibility: Must use a UHC first mortgage; same income and purchase price limits as FirstHome; homebuyer education course required; SB240 requires Utah residency for at least one year.

Learn more about UHC Down Payment Assistance

Utah Veterans Grant:

Description: Offers a non-repayable $2,500 grant for veterans or active military discharged within the past 5 years purchasing a home in Utah; no specific lender or loan program required; funds limited.
Requirements: First-time buyer (no homeownership in past 7 years or relocating to Utah); proof of military service; homebuyer education course required.

Learn more about Utah Veterans Grant

Local Programs:

Salt Lake City

Own in Salt Lake City: Offers up to $39,000 as a 0% interest, deferred loan (repayable upon sale or refinance) for first-time buyers; income at or below 80% AMI (e.g., $78,150 for a family of four in Salt Lake County); requires $1,000 borrower contribution and homebuyer education.
West Valley City: Offers a $14,999 non-repayable grant for first-time buyers; income at or below 80% AMI; requires $1,000 contribution and homebuyer education.

Learn more about Salt Lake City Housing Programs

Learn more about West Valley City Housing Programs

Provo

Home Purchase Plus and Loan to Own: Offers up to $40,000 as a 0% interest, deferred loan (repayable upon sale or if no longer primary residence, with $5,000 penalty if sold within 2 years) for first-time buyers; income at or below 80% AMI (e.g., $73,050 for a family of four in Utah County); requires $1,000 contribution and homebuyer education. Available in Provo and most Utah County cities (except Eagle Mountain, Alpine, Fairfield, Highland).

Learn more about Provo Housing Programs

Ogden

Own in Ogden: Offers $10,000 for first-time buyers, $15,000 for K-12 teachers/administrators or Ogden city employees, or $20,000 for police/firefighters as a 0% interest, deferred loan (repayable upon sale or refinance); income at or below 80% AMI (e.g., $71,200 for a family of four in Weber County); purchase price limits of $435,000 (new construction) or $428,500 (existing homes); requires $500 contribution and homebuyer education.

Learn more about Ogden Housing Programs

West Jordan

West Jordan Homebuyer Assistance: Offers up to $10,000 as a forgivable grant (forgiven after 5 years) for first-time buyers (no homeownership in past 24 months); income at or below 80% AMI; requires in-person homebuyer education and purchase contract.

Learn more about West Jordan Housing Programs

Layton

At Home in Layton: Offers $10,000 increments as a grant (partial repayment if sold within 5 years) for first-time buyers; income at or below 80% AMI; requires purchase contract and homebuyer education.

Learn more about Layton Housing Programs

Additional Information:

• Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC): Provides a federal tax credit of up to 20% of annual mortgage interest (max $2,000 yearly) for first-time buyers; fee (~$500-$750) applies; combinable with UHC loans.
• FHA Loans: Minimum 3.5% down payment, suitable for credit scores as low as 580 (10% if below 580).
• USDA Loans: Zero-down payment for rural Utah areas; income limits apply.
• VA Loans: Zero-down payment for eligible veterans or active military; no PMI; flexible credit requirements.
• Median Home Price: $518,200 (February 2025); median down payment: $31,092 (6% of median price).

Explore additional HUD homeownership resources