Down Payment Assistance Programs in Utah 2026: Grants, Loans & How to Qualify
Utah is one of the pricier housing markets in the Mountain West, which makes down payment assistance especially valuable here. The statewide median sale price was $528,124 in May 2026, up 1.6% year over year (Redfin). Even the FHA minimum of 3.5% down comes to about $18,484 on that median. Utah Housing Corporation (UHC), the state HFA, pairs its first mortgages with a second-mortgage DPA that can cover the down payment and then some.
Down payment math for Utah
| Loan type | Down payment | On the $528,124 median |
|---|---|---|
| FHA (3.5%) | 3.5% | ~$18,484 |
| Conventional (3%) | 3% | ~$15,844 |
| Conventional (5%) | 5% | ~$26,406 |
| VA | 0% | $0 (if eligible) |
Utah’s high prices push several counties above the FHA floor. In 2026 the one-unit FHA limit is $637,100 in Salt Lake County and $1,163,800 in Summit and Wasatch counties (Park City and the surrounding resort market), versus the $541,287 floor elsewhere. The high-cost ceiling nationally is $1,249,125.
Utah Housing Corporation down payment assistance
UHC delivers assistance as a 30-year second mortgage layered on a UHC first mortgage. The current 2026 lineup:
- FirstHome — for first-time buyers, with DPA of up to 6% of the first-mortgage amount (capped around $27,500). A deferred second-mortgage option is available that carries no monthly payment and is due at sale, refinance, or maturity. Minimum 660 credit.
- Score — built for buyers with lower credit, offering DPA up to 4% of the loan amount.
- NoMI — a conventional option with no monthly mortgage insurance for the lowest overall payment; higher 700 credit bar.
UHC also offers standard FHA/VA financing (620 minimum) and a Freddie Mac HFA Advantage conventional loan. Note that UHC’s HomeAgain program is currently temporarily suspended and is not accepting new reservations — confirm program status with a UHC lender before you apply, since credit-score and DPA caps are set in UHC’s homebuyer matrix.
See our Utah first-time home buyer programs guide for the participating-lender path.
How to qualify, step by step
- Confirm you meet the program’s credit minimum (660 for FirstHome, 620 for Score, 700 for NoMI).
- Check UHC income and purchase-price limits for your county.
- Complete homebuyer education if required.
- Get pre-approved with a UHC participating lender, who attaches the DPA second mortgage to your FHA loan or conventional loan.
- Budget for closing costs in Utah; the DPA can help cover them.
To estimate a payment on Utah’s higher prices, use our mortgage calculator. Rural buyers can also check USDA loan requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much down payment help does Utah offer?
UHC’s FirstHome provides up to 6% of the first-mortgage amount (capped near $27,500); Score offers up to 4%.
Is Utah down payment assistance a grant or a loan?
It is a second mortgage. FirstHome offers a deferred option with no monthly payment, due at sale, refinance, or maturity; the standard option amortizes.
What credit score do I need?
660 for FirstHome, 620 for Score, and 700 for NoMI.
Is HomeAgain still available?
No — HomeAgain is temporarily suspended. Confirm current program status with a UHC lender.
Why are Utah’s FHA limits higher than the national floor?
Salt Lake, Summit, and Wasatch counties are designated high-cost areas, raising their one-unit FHA limits to $637,100 and $1,163,800 respectively.