Utah County Homebuyer Grants 2026: Up to $40,000 Loan to Own Down Payment Assistance
Loan to Ownis Utah County's down payment assistance program, offering up to $40,000 at 0% interest with up to 50% forgivenafter the affordability period (10 years at the $40,000 max), available in most Utah County cities (excludes Fairfield, Highland, and Woodland Hills). It is funded through the Utah Valley HOME Consortium and administered by Provo City Development Services. Eagle Mountain buyers have a second option, the city's own $25,000 program, at a much higher income limit.
Buying Your First Home in Utah County
Utah County is the fastest-growing county in the state and the heart of Silicon SlopesLehi, American Fork, and Pleasant Grove anchor a tech corridor that's reshaping where first-time buyers can realistically afford to buy. The county's down payment assistance program is Loan to Own (up to $40,000 at 0% interest, up to 50% forgivable after the affordability period), funded through the Utah Valley HOME Consortium and administered by Provo City Development Services on behalf of the county. Buyers purchasing inside Provo city limits also have a separate, higher-cap option, Home Purchase Plus(up to $60,000). Eagle Mountain is the one other Utah County city running its own program, the Mortgage Assistance Program (up to $25,000), and its 120% AMI limit reaches incomes the county programs turn away.
Three buyer profiles dominate Utah County: Silicon Slopes tech workers looking in Lehi, Saratoga Springs, and Eagle Mountain (often with stronger incomes that bump them up against AMI limits, worth running the eligibility math early); BYU-area buyers, in Provo and Orem, who want to stay close to campus, family, or a religious community; and South County buyers in Spanish Fork, Salem, and Payson chasing the most affordable single-family homes within commuting distance of the I-15 corridor.
Inventory in Utah County moves faster than any other Wasatch Front county. Loan to Own requires you to be under contract before applying, which means having your homebuyer education certificate, lender pre-approval, and program paperwork ready in advance is the difference between qualifying and missing out. Plan around one program rather than a combined total: most assistance programs limit what other subordinate financing can sit behind them, so the realistic question is which single program fits your purchase, not how many you can add up.
The Utah County Loan to Own Program
The Utah County Loan to Own program is the county's flagship down payment assistance offering, administered by Provo City Development Services (801-852-6162) and open to buyers across Utah County. It provides up to $40,000 as a 0% interest second mortgage, and half of the balance is forgiven at the end of the affordability period, which runs 5 to 10 years depending on the loan amount (10 years at the $40,000 maximum). No monthly payments and no accruing interest while you live in the home as your primary residence.
Loan to Own at a Glance
- ✓Up to $40,000 at 0% interest, no monthly payments
- ✓50% forgiven after the 5 to 10 year affordability period (10 years at the $40K max)
- ✓650+ credit with a clean year of history, $1,000 minimum buyer contribution
- ✓80% AMI income limit, homebuyer education required
- ✓Covers all Utah County cities except Fairfield, Highland, and Woodland Hills
- ✓$5,000 penalty if the home is sold or vacated within the first two years
Provo Home Purchase Plus
- ✓Buyers inside Provo city limits can use Home Purchase Plus, up to $60,000
- ✓That is the largest single city program in the county, and a higher cap than Loan to Own
- ✓Home Purchase Plus is also 0% interest with up to 50% forgiveness
- ✓Both are funded through the Utah Valley HOME Consortium via Provo City
Eagle Mountain Mortgage Assistance
- ✓Up to $25,000 at 0% interest for homes inside Eagle Mountain city limits
- ✓Forgiven over a 15-year term, faster for public employees (3 to 5 years for participating entities)
- ✓120% AMI income limit, roughly $143,040 for a household of four
- ✓650 credit, $1,000 buyer contribution, cannot already own a home
- ✓Monthly application rounds close on the 15th; funded by the city RDA, not the HOME Consortium
Loan to Own funding is first-come, first-served and applications are only accepted once you're under contract. Have your homebuyer education certificate, lender pre-approval, and program paperwork ready before you write an offer, or your closing deadline can arrive before the county finishes processing your file.
Program Benefits
Zero Interest
Your second mortgage carries 0% interest, so you only repay the original amount borrowed.
No Monthly Payment
Payments are deferred until you sell, refinance, or pay off your first mortgage.
Partly Forgivable
Up to half the balance is written off if you hold the home through the affordability period.
Flexible Use
Use for down payment, closing costs, or a combination of both.
Eligibility Requirements
Buyer Requirements
- ✓First-time homebuyer (no ownership in past 3 years)
- ✓Income at or below 80% Area Median Income
- ✓Complete HUD-approved homebuyer education
- ✓Occupy as primary residence
- ✓Loan to Own: 650+ credit and $1,000 minimum buyer contribution
Property Requirements
- ✓Located within Utah County
- ✓Single-family, townhome, or approved condo
- ✓Must meet HUD property standards
- ✓Pass required property inspection
- ✓Purchase price within limits
Loan Requirements
- ✓Obtain first mortgage from approved lender
- ✓Compatible with FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- ✓Works with UHC loans
- ✓Minimum buyer contribution may apply
- ✓Total LTV limits may apply
Income Limits (80% AMI)
If your household is at or below 80% AMI for Utah County, you qualify. Here are the exact numbers.
*Income limits updated annually. Contact us for current limits.
2026 Utah County Market Snapshot
Utah County is the state's fastest-growing market, driven by Silicon Slopes tech jobs in Lehi and Saratoga Springs. Loan to Own's $40,000 is one of the larger county programs in the state, which matters more here than anywhere else on the Wasatch Front.
*Income limits vary by household size and are updated annually by HUD. Contact us to confirm current limits for your situation.
Eligible Cities & Areas
Loan to Own covers all Utah County cities EXCEPT Fairfield, Highland, and Woodland Hills, buyers in those three cities can still use UHC statewide DPA.
How to Apply
Verify Eligibility
Check income limits and first-time buyer status
Complete Education
Take HUD-approved homebuyer education course
Get Pre-Approved
Work with a lender familiar with Loan to Own
Find Your Home
Search in Utah County within price limits
Submit Application
Apply through the administering program office once under contract
Close & Move In
Complete purchase with DPA applied
Exploring Utah County
Cities, parks, and schools across Silicon Slopes and beyond, hover a pin to learn more
Featured Cities
- Provo
County seat and BYU home, vibrant arts, dining, and culture.
- Orem
UVU city with great shopping, tech companies, and family amenities.
- Lehi
Silicon Slopes epicenter with explosive growth and modern housing.
- American Fork
Canyon gateway community with strong civic pride.
- Eagle Mountain
Fastest-growing city in Utah, affordable and family-focused.
- Saratoga Springs
Lakeside city on Utah Lake with newer developments and low taxes.
Parks & Outdoors
- Utah Lake State Park
Utah's largest freshwater lake, perfect for boating and fishing.
- Rock Canyon Park
Provo's iconic canyon trailhead into the stunning Wasatch.
- Provo River Parkway
15-mile paved trail from Vivian Park to Utah Lake.
- Timpanogos Cave Nat'l Monument
Breathtaking cave tours inside the Wasatch Mountains.
- Slate Canyon Park
Popular Provo foothills trail system for all skill levels.
Schools & Education
- Brigham Young University
Major research university and top employer in the valley.
- Utah Valley University
Fast-growing public university in Orem serving 40,000+ students.
- Provo High School
Historic school with award-winning programs and community spirit.
- Timpanogos High School
Orem's well-rounded high school with strong arts and STEM.
- Mountain View High School
Orem school known for athletics and competitive academics.
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Free resource
Planning a Utah County purchase? Get the free guide
How Utah down payment help works, how each program gets repaid, and the ten weeks from offer to keys, in one free PDF.
- The full buying process, start to finish
- What down payment help exists in Utah, and how each one gets repaid
- FHA vs VA vs USDA vs conventional, side by side
- The mistakes that cost first-time buyers the most
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$40K Loan to Own + Provo + UHC: which combination fits your address?
Utah County buyers often qualify for both Loan to Own and UHC statewide DPA at the same time. Takes about 15 minutes to find out which programs fit your situation.