Utah has some of the most generous first-time homebuyer programs in the country — but most buyers don't know about them, and many lenders aren't approved to offer them. Between state, county, city, and federal programs, a qualified first-time buyer in Utah can access up to $60,000+ in combined down payment and closing cost assistance.
This guide covers every major program available in 2026, ranked by value and accessibility. We maintain this list because down payment assistance is our specialty — The Tim Hawkes Team at Cornerstone Home Lending is approved for every program listed below and has helped hundreds of Utah families buy their first home with little to no money out of pocket.
Statewide Programs (Available Anywhere in Utah)
1. Utah Housing FirstHome Loan + DPA — Best Overall
Assistance: Up to 6% of the first mortgage amount for down payment and/or closing costs
Type: Second mortgage (traditional or deferred payment options)
Status: Currently available · Accepting applications
Eligibility: Must not have owned a principal residence in the past 3 years (exceptions for single parents and veterans)
This is the flagship program from Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) and the single most-used first-time buyer program in the state. The DPA comes as a subordinate loan that can be paired with UHC's FHA, VA, or HFA Advantage conventional first mortgages. Both traditional (amortizing) and deferred payment DPA options are available on UHC's current rate sheet.
For a $400,000 home, 6% DPA means up to $24,000 toward your down payment and closing costs. This alone can cover the entire 3.5% FHA down payment plus most closing costs — leaving many buyers with under $1,000 out of pocket.
Pro tip: UHC loans must be originated through an approved participating lender. Not all mortgage companies are approved. The Tim Hawkes Team is an approved UHC lender and processes these loans regularly.
2. Utah Housing $20,000 New Construction Assistance — Best for New Builds
Assistance: Up to $20,000
Type: 0% interest, no monthly payment subordinate loan
Status: Currently available
Eligibility: First-time buyers purchasing a newly constructed, never-occupied home anywhere in Utah
If you're buying new construction, this is one of the strongest programs in the entire country. The $20,000 can be used for down payment, closing costs, or even a permanent interest rate buydown. The home must be owner-occupied, purchased with a Utah Housing first mortgage, and priced within program limits.
This program is especially powerful when combined with builder incentives. Some Utah builders are currently offering closing cost credits or rate buydowns that stack on top of this $20,000 — potentially eliminating your cash-to-close entirely.
3. Utah Housing FHA/VA with DPA — Best for Flexible Credit
Assistance: Up to 6% of loan amount
Type: Second mortgage paired with FHA or VA first mortgage
Status: Currently available
Eligibility: Not restricted to first-time buyers; FHA available with credit scores starting around 620
These aren't strictly first-time buyer programs, but they're among the best options for first-time buyers who need flexibility. The UHC FHA option works for buyers with credit scores starting around 620. The HFA Advantage conventional option may have lower mortgage insurance costs but generally requires stronger credit. DPA can be layered on top of either.
4. Utah Veteran First-Time Homebuyer Grant — Best Add-On for Veterans
Assistance: Up to $2,500 grant (no repayment required)
Type: True grant — completely free
Status: Currently available
Eligibility: Utah veterans or recently separated service members; does NOT require a UHC first mortgage
This is a unique bonus for Utah veterans. Unlike most DPA programs, this grant can be used with any lender licensed in Utah — you don't need a Utah Housing first mortgage to qualify. That makes it an easy add-on to whatever loan you're already using. Combined with a VA loan (zero down payment, no PMI), veteran buyers in Utah have an unbeatable package.
5. Utah Law Enforcement / Correctional Officer Assistance — Best Specialty Program
Assistance: Up to $25,000
Type: Interest-free, forgivable loan (pro rata over 5 years)
Status: Currently available
Eligibility: Eligible law enforcement and correctional officers employed in Utah; must occupy home as primary residence
This is one of the most generous specialty programs in the state. The full $25,000 is forgiven pro rata over 5 years as long as the buyer remains employed in an eligible role in Utah and lives in the home. For qualifying officers, this can cover the entire down payment on homes up to roughly $715,000 (at 3.5% FHA down).
6. Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) — Best Long-Term Tax Savings
Benefit: Federal tax credit of up to 20-25% of annual mortgage interest paid
Type: Ongoing annual tax credit (not a one-time benefit)
Status: Available through participating lenders
Eligibility: First-time buyers meeting income and purchase price limits
The MCC isn't a down payment program — it's a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit that reduces your tax bill every year for the life of your loan. On a $350,000 mortgage at 6.5% interest, a 20% MCC could save you roughly $4,500 per year in taxes. Over the first 10 years of your mortgage, that's potentially $40,000+ in tax savings. MCCs can also be combined with DPA programs for maximum benefit.
City & County Programs (Location-Specific)
These local programs can be even more valuable than statewide options — and in many cases, they stack with Utah Housing programs for maximum savings.
Utah County "Loan to Own" — Up to $40,000
Assistance: Up to $40,000
Type: 0% interest, deferred payment loan
Status: Currently accepting applications
Coverage: All cities in Utah County except Eagle Mountain, Fairfield, Alpine, and Provo (they have their own programs)
This is one of the largest county-level DPA programs in Utah. The assistance is structured as a 0% interest loan with deferred payments, making it extremely buyer-friendly. For buyers in cities like Lehi, Orem, Spanish Fork, Springville, and Pleasant Grove, this is a must-check program.
Provo "Home Purchase Plus" — Up to $60,000
Assistance: Up to $60,000
Type: Loan for buyers at 80% AMI or below
Status: Currently accepting applications · Funding available
Coverage: Provo city limits only
This is the single largest city-level DPA program in Utah. For income-qualifying buyers purchasing in Provo, $60,000 can cover the entire down payment and closing costs on most homes in the area — and then some.
Eagle Mountain Mortgage Assistance — Up to $25,000
Assistance: Up to $25,000
Type: 0% interest, no monthly payments, forgivable after 15 years
Status: Currently available
Coverage: Eagle Mountain city limits
Eagle Mountain's program is exceptionally generous for a city-level grant. The forgivable structure means the entire $25,000 becomes a true grant after 15 years of owner occupancy.
Layton "At Home in Layton" — $10,000 Forgivable Grant
Assistance: $10,000
Type: Forgivable grant (forgiven after 5 years)
Status: Subject to funding availability
Coverage: Layton city limits
One of Davis County's strongest city programs. The grant is completely forgiven after 5 years of continuous owner occupancy. We've helped dozens of Layton buyers close using this program stacked with UHC assistance.
Davis County Homeownership Program — Up to $50,000
Assistance: Up to $50,000
Type: CDBG-funded assistance (income-restricted)
Status: Subject to funding availability
Coverage: All of Davis County
For income-qualifying buyers anywhere in Davis County — including Layton, Clearfield, Kaysville, Farmington, Bountiful, and Centerville — this is a powerful resource funded through federal Community Development Block Grants.
Own in Ogden — Up to $20,000
Assistance: Up to $20,000
Type: Loan for down payment or closing costs
Status: Currently out of funding — expected to refresh July 1, 2026
Coverage: Ogden city limits
Historically one of the best city programs in Weber County. If you're looking to buy in Ogden later in 2026, keep an eye on the July funding refresh.
Salt Lake County — Up to $20,000
Assistance: Up to $20,000
Type: Down payment assistance for first-time buyers
Status: Subject to funding availability
Coverage: Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County's "Own in Salt Lake County" program provides up to $20,000 for first-time buyers. Given Salt Lake's higher home prices, this assistance can make a meaningful difference in reducing cash-to-close requirements.
Weber County DPA — Up to $5,000
Assistance: Up to $5,000
Type: Silent second mortgage
Status: Subject to funding availability
Coverage: Weber County
Smaller than some county programs, but can still be stacked with UHC assistance and other programs for cumulative savings.
West Valley City — $5,000 Grant
Assistance: $5,000
Type: Grant for eligible homebuyers
Status: Subject to funding availability
Coverage: West Valley City limits
A straightforward grant available to low- and moderate-income buyers purchasing in West Valley City.
Federal Loan Programs (Available Nationwide)
Don't overlook the big federal options — depending on your situation, they can be better than state-specific programs, and they stack with Utah DPA.
FHA Loans — Best for Lower Credit Scores
Down payment: 3.5% with 580+ credit score · 10% with 500-579 credit score
Mortgage insurance: Required (both upfront and monthly)
Best for: Buyers with lower credit scores or limited savings
FHA loans remain the most popular first-time buyer loan type in Utah. The 3.5% minimum down payment can be fully covered by UHC DPA or local programs, and the flexible credit guidelines make homeownership accessible to buyers who might not qualify for conventional financing.
VA Loans — Best for Veterans & Military
Down payment: $0 (zero down payment)
Mortgage insurance: None
Best for: Active-duty military, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses
VA loans are the single best mortgage product in America. Zero down, no PMI, and rates that typically beat conventional loans. Combined with the Utah Veteran $2,500 grant, military buyers in Utah have the best deal in the country. With Hill Air Force Base employing thousands in Davis and Weber Counties, we process VA loans daily.
USDA Loans — Best for Rural Buyers
Down payment: $0 (100% financing)
Mortgage insurance: Reduced guarantee fee
Best for: Income-qualified buyers in USDA-eligible areas
USDA loans offer zero down payment for eligible rural and suburban areas in Utah. You'd be surprised what qualifies as "rural" — many communities outside major metro areas are eligible, including parts of Davis, Weber, and Utah Counties.
How to Stack Programs for Maximum Savings
The real power of Utah's DPA landscape isn't any single program — it's the ability to combine multiple programs on the same purchase. Here are real examples of stacking strategies we've used with Utah buyers:
- Layton buyer (FHA): UHC FirstHome DPA ($24,000) + At Home in Layton ($10,000) + FHLB HELP ($20,000) = $54,000 in total assistance
- Clearfield veteran (VA): VA loan ($0 down) + Utah Veteran Grant ($2,500) + Davis County DPA = zero cash to close
- Utah County buyer (FHA): UHC FirstHome DPA + Loan to Own ($40,000) = entire down payment and closing costs covered
- Provo buyer (Conventional): Home Purchase Plus ($60,000) alone covers everything on most Provo homes
The catch: not every lender knows which programs can be combined, which loan products they're compatible with, or how to time the applications correctly. This is why working with a DPA specialist matters more than chasing the lowest advertised rate.
Our Best Practical Ranking for Utah First-Time Buyers
| Situation | Best Program(s) |
|---|---|
| Best overall statewide | Utah Housing FirstHome + DPA (up to 6%) |
| Best for new construction | Utah Housing $20,000 Assistance Program |
| Best for veterans | VA loan + Utah Veteran $2,500 Grant |
| Best for law enforcement | Utah Officer Assistance ($25,000 forgivable) |
| Best local value (Utah County) | Loan to Own ($40,000) or Provo Home Purchase Plus ($60,000) |
| Best local value (Davis County) | Davis County Homeownership (up to $50,000) + city programs |
| Best for rural buyers | USDA (zero down) + stackable DPA |
| Best long-term tax savings | Mortgage Credit Certificate (annual tax credit) |
How to Get Started
For most first-time buyers in Utah, start by comparing these four options:
- Utah Housing FirstHome + DPA — the baseline every buyer should evaluate
- Utah Housing FHA/VA with DPA — if you need more flexible credit requirements
- The $20,000 new construction program — if buying a newly built home
- Your local city/county DPA — check what's available where you're buying
The biggest savings almost always come from stacking statewide + local programs. But navigating eligibility requirements, income limits, purchase price caps, and layering rules requires a lender who does this every day.
Use our free First-Time Buyer Calculator to estimate your monthly payment with real DPA programs factored in. Or contact us directly — tell us the city, your approximate credit score, income, and whether the home is new construction, and we'll narrow it to the top 2-3 programs that fit your situation. No obligation, no pressure.