Utah has some of the strongest first time home buyer assistance programs in the country. Many Ogden and Weber County buyers qualify for down payment help they do not even know about. The Utah Housing Corporation, Federal Home Loan Bank, and HUD counseling services can combine to cover most or all of your down payment and closing costs. Understanding these programs can be the difference between renting for another five years or buying your home today. This guide covers every major assistance option available to Utah buyers.

Utah Housing Corporation: The Main Program

The Utah Housing Corporation is the state agency administering down payment assistance for first time home buyers. They offer four main loan products, each designed for different buyer profiles. The key advantage: these are second mortgages that stack on top of your first mortgage. You apply for an FHA or conventional first loan, then add a UHC second loan for down payment and closing costs.

FirstHome Loan: This is the flagship product for first time home buyers. It includes a first mortgage and a second mortgage that covers down payment and closing costs. The program has specific income and purchase price limits. The second loan is a fixed rate, fixed term mortgage. You must be a first time buyer (have not owned a home in the past three years) and meet income limits.

HomeAgain Loan: For buyers who previously owned a home or who do not meet FirstHome income requirements. Covers down payment and closing costs on the second mortgage. Slightly higher rates than FirstHome.

Score Loan: For buyers with credit scores as low as 620. Focuses on credit challenged borrowers who want to build or rebuild credit while becoming homeowners. Also includes down payment and closing cost assistance through a second mortgage.

NoMI Loan: For buyers with strong credit scores (typically 740+). Eliminates mortgage insurance by providing enough second loan proceeds to reduce the first mortgage to 80 percent loan to value. You pay more in second mortgage interest but eliminate PMI or MIP.

All UHC loans come with a second mortgage covering down payment and closing costs. The second mortgage is subordinate to the first, meaning if there is a default, the first mortgage gets paid first. This slightly increases the lender's risk, but UHC absorbs it to help you buy.

Reference: Utah Housing Corporation official website and loan program documentation.

Income and Purchase Price Limits in Weber County

UHC loans have income and purchase price limits that change annually. For 2025, approximate income limits in Weber County are $110,000 to $130,000 for most household sizes. A household of one allows roughly $85,000; a household of four allows approximately $125,000 to $130,000. These limits are conservative and most working families in Weber County fall below them.

Purchase price limits also vary. In 2025, the limit in Weber County is approximately $475,000 to $510,000 depending on the specific product. This covers most homes in Ogden, Layton, Farmington, and surrounding areas.

Income limits include gross household income before deductions. Verify the exact limits for the current year with a UHC approved lender, as limits adjust annually based on HUD data.

If you slightly exceed income limits, do not assume you are disqualified. Lenders sometimes have latitude with borderline cases. Ask about homeownership counseling or whether compensating factors might help.

Reference: Utah Housing Corporation Website (utahhousingcorp.org) for current income and purchase price limits.

Federal Home Loan Bank Grants (Down Payment Assistance Grants)

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB) offers down payment grants for first time home buyers. These are true grants: you do not repay them. Funds come from the FHLB member institutions (participating banks and credit unions in your area).

FHLB grants range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the program and your location. Available funds are limited and competitive. You must apply through a participating lender. Not every lender participates in FHLB programs, so ask specifically about these grants when you meet with lenders.

To qualify for FHLB grants, you must be a first time home buyer, meet income limits (typically area median income limits set by HUD), and use a participating lender. The grant can cover down payment, closing costs, or both.

FHLB grants stack nicely with UHC programs. You could receive a UHC second mortgage plus an FHLB grant, dramatically reducing your out of pocket cost. Some buyers combine both and put virtually nothing down.

Reference: Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Community Investment Programs.

HUD Counseling Programs

HUD approves nonprofit organizations throughout Weber County to provide homeownership counseling. This counseling is free or low cost and is required or recommended for certain loan programs, particularly those involving assistance.

A HUD approved counselor helps you understand loan programs, down payment options, budgeting, and the homebuying process. They review your finances, discuss your goals, and help you prepare for a mortgage application. Many UHC programs require counseling completion before final approval.

Do not view counseling as a burden. It is a benefit. A good counselor catches problems early, helps you avoid costly mistakes, and prepares you to be successful. Some counselors can also help you find additional assistance programs.

Find HUD approved counselors through HUD.gov or ask your lender for referrals. Many Ogden area nonprofits offer this service, some for free to low income buyers.

Reference: HUD Housing Counseling, HUD.gov/housing-counseling.

How These Programs Stack: A Real Example

Here is how a real Ogden buyer made it work using stacked assistance. The buyer wanted to purchase a $350,000 home and had very little saved.

The Scenario:

• Purchase price: $350,000
• FHA loan with 3.5 percent down: $12,250 down payment needed
• Estimated closing costs: $7,000
• Total needed upfront: approximately $19,250

The Solution:

• FHA first mortgage: $337,750 (96.5% of price)
• UHC second mortgage: $12,250 (covers down payment)
• FHLB grant: $7,000 (covers closing costs)
• Buyer out of pocket: $0

The buyer had two mortgages but put zero money down and paid zero closing costs. The second mortgage carried a slightly higher interest rate than a conventional second, but it was worth it to become a homeowner immediately instead of waiting five years to save $19,250.

This happens every day in Utah. Buyers combine UHC, FHLB, and sometimes family gifts to cover nearly all upfront costs. It is the reason Utah has one of the highest first time buyer rates in the nation.

Who Qualifies for UHC Assistance

First Time Buyer Status: Most UHC programs require that you have not owned a home in the past three years. If you owned a home more than three years ago, you may qualify for HomeAgain instead of FirstHome. If you purchased a home in the past three years, you will not qualify.

Income Requirements: Your household income must be at or below the limit set by UHC for your county and household size. Income includes all household members' earnings, including spouses.

Credit Score: Minimum 620 for most products. Some products (Score Loan) accept scores as low as 620. Stronger credit scores open better programs with lower rates.

Debt to Income Ratio: Cannot exceed 43 to 50 percent depending on the program. This is calculated by adding up all monthly debt payments and dividing by gross monthly income.

Owner Occupied Only: The home must be your primary residence. Investment properties and vacation homes do not qualify.

Property Type: Most programs limit to single family homes, condos, or townhomes. Mobile homes may have restrictions.

Lender Requirement: You must use a UHC approved lender. Not all lenders in Utah participate. Ask your lender directly whether they are UHC approved.

How to Apply for Assistance

• 1

  Meet with a UHC approved lender. Ask for their FirstHome or HomeAgain Loan programs. Get pre approved for a first mortgage.

• 2

  Complete HUD homeownership counseling. Your lender can refer you to a local HUD approved counselor. Complete this before final approval.

• 3

  Check income and purchase price limits. Verify that your income and target home price fall within UHC limits for Weber County.

• 4

  Ask about FHLB grants. Tell your lender you want to know about Federal Home Loan Bank grants. They may qualify you for these as well.

• 5

  Submit your full application. Provide all documentation: pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, credit report authorization. UHC will review your application.

• 6

  Receive underwriting decision. UHC will approve or conditionally approve your application. Address any conditions and final approval proceeds.

• 7

  Close on your home. Both your first and second mortgages close simultaneously. You receive the funds to cover down payment and closing costs.

The Advantage of Assistance Programs

Utah assistance programs exist because policymakers understand that helping buyers into homes strengthens communities. These are not handouts. You are still qualifying for a mortgage, undergoing underwriting, and taking responsibility for a home. The assistance simply recognizes that waiting to save 20 percent down often costs more than the cost of assistance.

If you wait five years to save $20,000 down on a $350,000 home, home prices in Ogden likely increase $20,000 to $40,000. Rent during those five years costs $90,000. You have lost the opportunity to build equity and benefit from appreciation. UHC and FHLB assistance lets you buy now, build equity starting today, and benefit from appreciation as prices rise.

Most first time buyers in Weber County qualify for some form of assistance. The barriers are usually informational, not financial. Many people do not know these programs exist. Now you do.