First-Time Home Buyer Programs in Salt Lake City, Utah
The Own in Salt Lake County program gives SLC buyers up to $20,000 at 0% interestwith no monthly payment, deferred until you sell or refinance. Every neighborhood in the city qualifies: Sugar House, Glendale, the Avenues, Capitol Hill, Rose Park. Stack it with UHC and you're looking at $35,000+ in combined assistance.
Programs Available for Salt Lake City Buyers
Own in Salt Lake County
0% interest, deferred until sale or refi. SLC fully eligible.
SLC City CDBG Programs
HUD-funded assistance for specific SLC neighborhoods
UHC FirstHome / FHA-VA Mortgage
FirstHome for first-time buyers (660+); FHA/VA Mortgage for repeat buyers (620+). HomeAgain currently suspended.
FHA / VA / Conventional
All loan types compatible with SLC DPA programs
Why First-Time Buyers Pick Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is the Wasatch Front's most competitive first-time buyer market. The $20,000 Own in Salt Lake County program plus UHC stacking changes the math. Affordable entry-point neighborhoods like Glendale, Rose Park, and Liberty Wells are where the DPA stretches furthest.
*Effective down payment depends on purchase price, income, and full DPA eligibility. Current Salt Lake City metro pricing is shown in the Realtor.com Metro Market Data section below.
Salt Lake City Neighborhoods
All SLC neighborhoods are eligible for the Own in Salt Lake County program
How to Apply
Check Eligibility
Confirm first-time buyer status, income (80% AMI), and credit score
Homebuyer Education
Complete a HUD-approved course, required for county DPA
Get Pre-Approved
Work with a UHC-approved lender familiar with SLC programs
Find Your Home
Search Salt Lake City neighborhoods within price limits
Apply for DPA
Submit Own in Salt Lake County application with your lender
Close on Your Home
Complete purchase with all assistance applied at closing
Living in Salt Lake City
Neighborhoods, parks, and schools to know as you search for your first home
Featured Neighborhoods
- Sugar House
Walkable, historic bungalows and character homes, lined with cafes and boutiques, one of SLC's most desirable areas.
- The Avenues
Victorian-era homes, stunning city and mountain views, and steps from City Creek Canyon hiking.
- Glendale
Most affordable entry point in SLC with Jordan River trail access, improving rapidly with strong first-time buyer activity.
- Rose Park
Diverse, close-knit community offering great value and proximity to downtown, Jordan River, and parks.
- Liberty Wells
Urban living on a first-home budget, walkable to Liberty Park, coffee shops, and local restaurants.
Parks & Outdoor Spaces
- Liberty Park
SLC's largest urban park at 110 acres, with a pond, tennis courts, pool, amphitheater, and miles of trails.
- Sugarhouse Park
110-acre loop trail, pond, and open green space in the heart of Sugar House.
- Memory Grove & City Creek Canyon
Peaceful canyon trail starting just north of the Capitol, feels like wilderness minutes from downtown.
- Jordan River Parkway
45-mile paved multi-use trail running through the valley. Biking, walking, and wildlife viewing.
- Red Butte Garden
Botanical garden on the University of Utah hillside with mountain views and summer concert series.
Schools & Education
- Salt Lake City School District
Serves all SLC neighborhoods with 29 elementary, 6 middle, and 4 high schools plus several charters.
- East High School
Historic 1914 campus, strong academics, arts programs, and one of the most recognizable schools in the state.
- West High School
Diverse student body, strong performing arts tradition, and the oldest continuously operating high school in Utah.
- Highland High School
Popular east-side school with strong athletics and AP course offerings.
- Salt Lake Center for Science Education
Sought-after STEM-focused charter serving grades 7–12, competitive admissions.
✦ Real Client Stories
What Our Clients Say
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$20K Own in SLC + UHC stacking: what do your numbers look like?
The Own in Salt Lake County program funds on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're buying in SLC, it's worth knowing whether you qualify before the year gets going. Free 15-minute eligibility check.
Official Sources
Verify current program funding, dollar amounts, and eligibility before relying on them in a transaction. Program details can change annually.