Short answer: As of October 2026, UHC has three active programs. FirstHome is for first-time buyers with a 660+ credit score and income under the county limit. FHA/VA Mortgage accepts 620+ credit and repeat buyers. HFA Advantage is the conventional option at 680+ with cheaper mortgage insurance. Each can come with up to $27,500 in down payment assistance: up to 6% with a monthly payment, or 3.5% deferred. HomeAgain, Score and NoMI are suspended.
The Utah Housing Corporation comes up in almost every first-time buyer conversation I have, and for good reason. It's the main statewide program that makes low-down-payment buying work for a lot of people in Utah. But the program names don't explain much on their own, and the lineup changed in 2026, so a lot of what's online is out of date.
Here's the practical version, current as of October 2026.
How UHC works, quickly
UHC doesn't lend you money directly. It works through approved lenders (banks, credit unions and mortgage companies) who originate UHC loans. When you hear "get a UHC loan," it means your lender is processing a loan that follows UHC's program rules.
The big draw is the down payment assistance (DPA): a second mortgage you can put toward your down payment, closing costs, or both. It's a loan, not a grant, and it comes in two versions:
- Traditional DPA: up to 6% of your first mortgage, capped at $27,500. It's a 30-year second mortgage at 1% above your first mortgage rate (never more than 8%), so it adds a monthly payment.
- Deferred DPA: up to 3.5% of your first mortgage, also capped at $27,500. No monthly payment. Simple interest of 3.5% builds up, and you repay it when you sell, refinance or reach the end of the loan.
Neither version is forgiven. If you want assistance that's partly forgivable, look at the city and county programs below. Most buyers use one program rather than combining them; here's why.
The three active programs and what separates them
FirstHome
This is UHC's flagship program and usually its lowest rate. Requirements: you haven't owned a home in the last 3 years, you have a 660+ credit score, and your income and purchase price are under the limits for your county.
If you're a first-time buyer with decent credit and a normal income for your area, start here.
FHA/VA Mortgage
UHC's FHA and VA track, open to first-time and repeat buyers. The minimum credit score is 620, and there's no separate purchase price limit beyond FHA's loan limits. The income limit is $165,200 in every county.
This is the program to look at if you've owned a home before, if your credit is between 620 and 659, or if your income is over the FirstHome limit.
Freddie Mac HFA Advantage
UHC's conventional option, also open to first-time and repeat buyers. It needs a 680+ credit score (700 for a 2 to 4 unit property). In exchange, the mortgage insurance costs less than on FHA, which can mean a lower monthly payment. Same $165,200 income limit.
If your credit is strong and you want to keep the monthly payment down without putting 20% down, compare this one against FirstHome.
What happened to HomeAgain, Score and NoMI?
All three are listed as "Temporarily Suspended" on UHC's program page. If you read about them elsewhere, here's where to go instead:
- HomeAgain (repeat buyers): use FHA/VA Mortgage or HFA Advantage, both open to repeat buyers.
- Score (620 to 659 credit): use FHA/VA Mortgage, which still accepts a 620 score.
- NoMI (no mortgage insurance): HFA Advantage has reduced mortgage insurance. If you want none at all, that takes 20% down on a conventional loan, or a VA loan if you've served.
UHC hasn't said when they'll return, so plan around the active programs.
The income limits, and why people get confused by them
FirstHome limits depend on your county and household size. Here are the 2026 numbers for the Wasatch Front:
| County | 1 to 2 people | 3+ people | Max price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake | $126,100 | $145,000 | $666,600 |
| Utah, Juab | $143,000 | $166,800 | $769,100 |
| Davis, Morgan, Summit, Wasatch, Weber | $141,400 | $164,600 | $778,500 |
| Tooele | $121,300 | $139,400 | $666,600 |
FHA/VA Mortgage and HFA Advantage use a flat $165,200 limit in every county, with no separate price cap. The full county list is on the Utah income limits page.
Two programs, two ways of counting income, which is where the confusion comes from. FirstHome counts the income of everyone who will sign the deed of trust. FHA/VA Mortgage and HFA Advantage use your qualifying income, the income the lender uses to approve the loan. Your lender will tell you which number applies, so confirm before assuming you're in or out.
UHC or a city or county program?
UHC's assistance is available statewide, but it isn't the largest option everywhere. Several cities and counties run their own programs, and where you're buying decides which ones you can use:
- Provo Home Purchase Plus: up to $60,000, 0% deferred, up to 50% forgivable (Provo city limits)
- Utah County Loan to Own: up to $40,000, 0% deferred, 50% forgivable after the affordability period
- Davis County Homeownership Assistance: up to $50,000 at 1% interest, no monthly payments, repaid at sale or refinance. The 2026 funds are used up, and the county says applications reopen July 1, 2027.
- Own in Salt Lake County: up to $20,000 deferred, in participating Salt Lake County cities
The city and county programs have lower income limits than UHC (generally 80% of area median income), so a household that's over them can often still use UHC. Each program limits what else can sit behind your first mortgage, so the practical question is which single program gives you the most for your address and income. UHC is often the answer outside the cities and counties with their own programs, and the local program often wins inside them.
What the Traditional DPA costs you monthly
People hear "second mortgage" and assume it's expensive. Here's what the Traditional version looks like at today's rates, where it prices at the 8% cap:
| First mortgage | DPA (6%) | DPA rate | Monthly DPA payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| $350,000 | $21,000 | 8.0% | about $154/mo |
| $400,000 | $24,000 | 8.0% | about $176/mo |
| $450,000 | $27,000 | 8.0% | about $198/mo |
That's roughly $150 to $200 a month to avoid bringing $20,000 or more in cash. For buyers who don't have that sitting around, the trade usually makes sense. If the extra payment is the problem, the Deferred DPA has no payment at all, but it covers less (up to 3.5%) and the interest adds up until you sell or refinance.
You can pay off the second mortgage early if your situation changes.
The credit score thing in plain English
UHC's 620 minimum (on FHA/VA Mortgage) isn't just a box to check. Your score affects your rate, and FirstHome needs 660 and HFA Advantage needs 680. The difference between a 625 and a 680 can be a quarter to half a percent on the first mortgage, which matters a lot over 30 years.
If you're in the 620 to 640 range and have 6 to 12 months before you want to buy, it's often worth working on your credit first. Things that move scores quickly: paying revolving balances down under 30% of the limit, disputing inaccurate items, and not opening new accounts. I've seen buyers go from 635 to 680 in 90 days with focused effort. Worth a conversation.
How to actually apply
You don't apply to UHC directly. You find a UHC-approved lender and tell them you want a UHC loan, and they handle the program paperwork. Your side looks like any mortgage application: income documents, bank statements, tax returns and a credit pull. If you end up using a city or county program instead, your lender handles that application too.
Homebuyer education is required for UHC loans. A HUD-approved online course takes about 6 to 8 hours and usually costs $75 to $125. You can do it before or during the loan process, but it has to be done before closing. Here's how to pick one.
One thing worth knowing before you apply
UHC loans are 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. There's no adjustable-rate option. UHC sets the rates and updates them regularly, and they're usually competitive with conventional rates for buyers in the same credit tier. Your lender can pull today's UHC rate and compare it to conventional and FHA in about 10 minutes.
As a REALTOR I don't originate loans, but I work with UHC-approved lenders all the time. If you want to compare programs side by side for your situation, reach out and we'll run the numbers together.