✦ Up to $30,000+ Available
Utah Down Payment Assistance: Your Complete 2026 Guide
The down payment stops more Utah buyers than anything else. Most don't realize how stackable the help actually is. Between UHC's percentage-based assistance, county grants, and the $20K SB240 new construction program, some buyers have combined over $30,000 in total assistance on a single purchase. Public servants (teachers, law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs) and veterans may also qualify for HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door (50% off HUD-owned homes) and other federal programs — see the dedicated section below.
Utah DPA Programs at a Glance
Six programs. Five let you stack. Here's what each one is for, and what each one costs you long-term.
| Program | Amount | Type | Forgiveness | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UHC DPA | 6% of loan | Second Mortgage | Verify current UHC product matrix | Statewide |
| SB240 | $20,000 | 0% Deferred Loan | Repaid at sale/refi (lesser of assistance or 50% equity) | Statewide; new construction only |
| Salt Lake County | $20,000 | Deferred Second Mortgage | Repaid at sale/refi | Salt Lake Co. |
| Utah County | $10,000 | Deferred Loan | None. Due at sale or refi | Utah Co. |
| Davis County | Up to $50,000 | 1% Interest, No Monthly Payments | None. Repaid at sale or refi | Davis Co. |
| Weber County | $7,500 | Deferred Loan | Partial | Weber Co. |
Detailed Program Information
Utah Housing Corporation DPA
Up to 6% of loan amountSecond Mortgage
After 7 years (with higher rate option)
The UHC DPA is the most widely used program in Utah. It can be structured as a deferred second mortgage (0% interest, due when you sell/refinance) or as a forgivable loan with a slightly higher first mortgage rate. The forgiveness option releases you from repayment after staying in the home 7 years.
Requirements
- ◆Must use with UHC first mortgage
- ◆Income limits apply by county
- ◆Purchase price limits apply
- ◆Primary residence only
- ◆Homebuyer education required
Pros
Cons
SB240 New Construction Assistance
Up to $20,0000% Deferred Loan
No. Repaid at sale or refi (lesser of assistance or 50% of equity)
Utah's SB240 program provides up to $20,000 for buyers purchasing newly constructed homes. Structured as a 0% interest deferred loan with shared-equity recapture: no monthly payments while you live in the home; at sale or refinance you repay the lesser of (a) the original assistance amount or (b) 50% of accrued equity. Often colloquially called a 'grant' but technically a deferred loan.
Requirements
- ◆New construction only
- ◆Income limits apply
- ◆Primary residence requirement
- ◆Must be first-time buyer or not owned in 3 years
- ◆Builder must be registered with program
Pros
Cons
Salt Lake County "Own in Salt Lake County" DPA
Up to $20,000Deferred Second Mortgage
No. Repaid at sale, refi, or transfer of title
Salt Lake County's 'Own in Salt Lake County' program is a deferred second mortgage of up to $20,000. No monthly payments while you live in the home. The full balance is repaid at sale, refinance (other than a rate-only refi), or transfer of title. Can be combined with UHC programs.
Requirements
- ◆Must purchase in Salt Lake County
- ◆Income at or below 80% AMI
- ◆First-time buyer (no ownership in 3 years)
- ◆Homebuyer education required
- ◆Must occupy as primary residence
- ◆Buyer must contribute 50% of down payment (min $1,000 from personal funds)
- ◆Maximum purchase price ~$522,500 (verify current cap with administrator)
Pros
Cons
Utah County HOME Program
Up to $10,000Deferred Loan
No. Due at sale or refinance
Utah County's HOME program provides deferred-payment assistance for down payment and closing costs. The loan carries 0% interest and no monthly payments, but is due in full when you sell, refinance, or no longer use as primary residence.
Requirements
- ◆Purchase in Utah County
- ◆Income limits apply (varies by family size)
- ◆First-time buyer status
- ◆Property must meet standards
- ◆Homebuyer counseling required
Pros
Cons
Davis County Homeownership Assistance
Up to $50,0001% Interest Loan, No Monthly Payments
No. Repaid in full at sale or refinance (1% interest accrues)
Davis County's Homeownership Assistance Program is a 1% interest loan of up to $50,000 with no monthly payments while you live in the home. The full balance plus 1% accrued interest is repaid at sale or refinance. Open to any qualifying buyer at 80% AMI; not limited to first-time buyers. Funding cycles annually; 2025 funds were exhausted and applications are scheduled to reopen July 1, 2026.
Requirements
- ◆Purchase in Davis County
- ◆Income at or below 80% AMI
- ◆Primary residence requirement (not limited to first-time buyers)
- ◆Complete homebuyer education
- ◆Verify current funding cycle with Davis County CED
Pros
Cons
Weber County DPA
Up to $7,500Deferred Loan
Partial forgiveness options
Weber County provides down payment assistance through federal HOME funds. The program offers a deferred loan with potential partial forgiveness based on length of residency. Helps buyers in the Ogden area achieve homeownership.
Requirements
- ◆Purchase in Weber County
- ◆Income at or below 80% AMI
- ◆First-time homebuyer
- ◆Complete HUD-approved counseling
- ◆Property inspection required
Pros
Cons
Maximize Your Assistance: Program Stacking
The real power of Utah's DPA programs is the ability to combine or "stack" them together. Here are real scenarios showing how buyers can maximize their assistance.
New Construction in Salt Lake County
Note: Maximum assistance scenario for new build purchases. All four programs have repayment terms; verify compatibility and current terms with a participating lender.
Existing Home in Utah County
Note: Strong assistance package for existing homes. UHC provides percentage-based help while the county program adds a fixed amount.
Davis County Purchase
Note: Davis County offers Utah's largest county-level program. Verify current funding availability; 2025 funds depleted, reopens July 1, 2026.
✦ Federal & Public-Servant Programs
Programs for Teachers, Police, Firefighters, EMTs & Veterans
Beyond UHC and county-level DPA, several federal programs and Utah-specific public-servant tiers can stack into your purchase. The biggest benefit comes from being eligible for more than one and combining them.
HUD Good Neighbor Next Door
Federal program that sells HUD-owned homes in revitalization areas to full-time teachers (Pre-K–12), law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs at 50% off list price. Silent second mortgage releases automatically after 36 months of owner-occupancy. Utah inventory is sporadic.
Full GNND Utah guide →Own in Ogden (Tiered by Occupation)
The only Utah city DPA with role-based funding tiers. $10K for general first-time buyers, $15K for teachers and City of Ogden employees, $20K for police officers and firefighters. 0% interest deferred loan, repaid at sale or refinance. Ogden city limits only.
Weber County / Ogden details →VA Loan (Veteran Public Servants)
Many law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMTs are also veterans. If you served 90+ consecutive days during wartime, 181+ days during peacetime, or 6+ years in Reserve / National Guard, you likely have VA loan eligibility. The Davis County DPA + VA loan stack is especially strong for Hill AFB-area buyers.
VA loans in Utah →Utah Veteran Property Tax Abatement
Separate from buying assistance — Utah veterans with service-connected disability ratings get a property tax exemption that scales with disability percentage. A 100% P&T veteran in Salt Lake County can typically save $4,000–$6,000 per year on property tax. File with your county assessor after closing. Stacks with any home purchase, including GNND and VA-financed homes.
Homes for Heroes (Private Rebate Network)
Important context: this is a private commission-rebate network, not a government program. Members get a portion of their real estate agent's commission rebated at closing, plus discounts from affiliated lenders and inspectors. Average savings ~$3,000 per transaction. Requires using their specific affiliated agents and service providers. Eligible groups: firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, military, healthcare, teachers.
Stacking strategy for eligible public servants
If you qualify as a Good Neighbor (full-time teacher, law enforcement, firefighter, or EMT) AND you're a veteran AND you're buying in Ogden: theoretically you can layer GNND's 50% discount, a VA loan for the financing, an Own in Ogden tier (if your home is in Ogden and matches a HUD revitalization area), and the Utah Veteran Property Tax Abatement on your annual property tax. In practice, this exact combination is rare, but knowing which programs you're eligible for is step one. A free consultation will map your specific stack.
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What's your real DPA total, across every program you qualify for?
Most buyers only know about one or two programs. We run through all of them in a free 15-minute consultation: UHC ($27,500 cap), county grants ($7,500 to $50,000 depending on county), SB240 ($20,000 for new builds). Most people leave with a stack number higher than they expected.
What Utah DPA buyers actually ask before applying
The real questions: stacking rules, repayment terms, who qualifies, and what surprises buyers at closing.
Official Sources
Verify current program terms with each administrator before relying on them in a transaction. Funding cycles, dollar amounts, and eligibility rules can change annually.