In short
Utah’s state housing finance agency is Utah Housing Corporation, which HUD’s Utah page lists first among the places to ask about first-time and low-income homebuyer assistance. This page does not give program amounts or income limits: Utah Housing Corporation’s website could not be opened when we checked on October 13, 2026, so no figure from it is reproduced here.
What we could and could not read
Payotte only publishes figures it has read in an official source. For this page:
- Read: HUD’s Utah state page, which lists where Utahns can ask for homebuyer help and homeownership education, and Salt Lake County’s housing and tax-relief pages.
- Not readable: the Utah Housing Corporation website (utahhousingcorp.org) refused our connection, and the Salt Lake City housing department’s pages returned an access error. We did not try to get around either block.
So the program names, down payment assistance amounts, credit-score minimums, income limits and purchase-price limits are not stated here. Third-party websites quote different numbers for the same programs; do not rely on them. Ask Utah Housing Corporation or a lender that takes part in its programs for the current limits for Salt Lake County.
Where HUD points first-time buyers in Utah
HUD’s Utah page (“Need help buying a home? You may qualify for one of these programs”) lists:
| Route | What HUD says | Contact listed by HUD |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Housing Corporation | First-time and low-income homebuyer assistance programs | (801) 902-8200 |
| Federal Home Loan Bank | ”Home$tart and other programs - help for homebuyers” | (800) 544-3452 |
| Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program | Some public housing agencies help voucher holders become homeowners; contact your local housing authority | Local housing authority |
| HUD Approved Housing Counselor | Advice on buying, tailored to your situation | (800) 569-4287 or 711 (TTY) |
HUD’s page also lists four nonprofit organizations that provide homeownership education, three of them in Salt Lake City. Ask the program or lender you choose whether it requires a homebuyer education course before closing.
Programs in Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County
Salt Lake County’s Office of Regional Development runs a Housing & Community Development division. The pages we read list rehabilitation programs for existing homes, grant funding and a Housing Trust Fund. They do not describe a down payment program for buyers.
The county Treasurer’s Office does offer property tax relief to qualified homeowners after you buy: Circuit Breaker abatement for eligible elderly homeowners, Indigent Relief, Hardship Relief, Veteran Relief for disabled veterans, and Blind Relief. Our Utah property tax guide covers how property tax works. We could not read the City of Salt Lake City’s homebuyer pages, so we do not describe any city-level aid.
Federal tools that apply in any state
- FHA loans accept smaller down payments than many conventional loans; see our guide to FHA loans.
- VA loans serve eligible service members and veterans; see VA loans.
- Private mortgage insurance adds a monthly cost on low down payments; see private mortgage insurance.
How to prepare
- Call a HUD Approved Housing Counselor at the number above before you choose a lender.
- Ask Utah Housing Corporation for its current homebuyer program rules and limits, and request them in writing.
- Compare the programs with your expected costs: closing costs in Utah, home prices in Utah and Salt Lake City and the steps of buying a home.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs first-time buyer programs in Utah?
HUD’s Utah page lists Utah Housing Corporation, (801) 902-8200, for first-time and low-income homebuyer assistance programs. It also lists the Federal Home Loan Bank’s homebuyer programs and the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program.
How much down payment assistance can I get in Utah?
We could not read Utah Housing Corporation’s current program documents, so we do not give an amount. Ask the agency or a participating lender for the current figures.
Is there a free way to get advice before buying?
HUD says a HUD Approved Housing Counselor can give advice customized to your needs. You can search online or call (800) 569-4287 (711 for TTY).
Does Salt Lake County offer a down payment program?
The Salt Lake County housing pages we read list home rehabilitation, grants and a Housing Trust Fund, but no down payment program. The county Treasurer does offer property tax relief programs to qualified homeowners.
Where can I take a homebuyer education course?
HUD’s Utah page lists four organizations that offer homeownership education, including three in Salt Lake City. Ask your program which providers it accepts.
Compare with the other states: First-time home buyer programs by state.
More Utah guides
- Closing costs in Utah: what buyers and sellers pay
- Real estate transfer tax in Utah: is there one?
- How Utah property tax works and the 45% residential exemption
- Seller disclosure requirements in Utah: what sellers must tell
- Do you need a real estate attorney to close in Utah?
- How does foreclosure work in Utah, and how long does it take?
- Home prices in Utah and Salt Lake City: median value and trend
- How to verify a real estate license in Utah (5 professions)
Sources
- Utah state information: homeownership and homebuyer assistance (HUD) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Housing & Community Development (Salt Lake County, Office of Regional Development) (consulted October 13, 2026)
- Assistance Programs & Services, tax relief programs (Salt Lake County) (consulted October 13, 2026)