Pairing Utah down payment assistance with a VA loan
Program figures verified July 2026 — details change; confirm your scenario with us.
VA loans don't require a down payment, so why add Utah assistance? One reason: closing costs and prepaids. UHC assistance can cover most of what a VA buyer still brings to the table.
Note UHC assistance rides with a UHC first mortgage. For a full-entitlement Veteran, a VA-only loan is often the cheapest path; we tell you which structure is actually better for your situation.
What Utah Housing Corporation assistance is
Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) pairs a fixed-rate first mortgage with a down payment assistance second mortgage.
| Program | Assistance |
|---|---|
| FirstHome / FHA / VA | UHC DPA second up to 6% of the first-mortgage amount |
| FHA / VA track | UHC DPA second up to 6%; minimum credit about 620, repeat buyers eligible |
| Conventional HFA Advantage | UHC conventional track; minimum credit about 700 |
| State First-Time Homebuyer Assistance | Up to $20,000 for new-build / never-occupied homes priced up to $450,000 |
How it works for a Veteran buyer
For a full-entitlement Veteran, a VA loan already delivers $0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance. UHC's value is usually covering closing costs through the DPA second, or the state $20,000 program on an eligible new build. We compare VA-only against the UHC path and show real numbers. Only one down payment assistance program applies per transaction.
Things to watch
- Credit. FirstHome wants about a 660 score; UHC's FHA/VA track accepts about 620, and the conventional track wants about 700.
- The DPA second is repaid. A UHC assistance second adds a payment; we include it in your debt-to-income math.
- The $20,000 program is new-build only, for never-occupied homes priced up to $450,000.
- Education. Homebuyer education is required for UHC programs.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a grant for Veterans buying their first home in Utah?
Yes — the Utah Veterans First-time Homebuyer Grant pays up to $2,500 with no repayment, for service members and Veterans separated within the last five years buying a first home in Utah. It's a separate benefit from UHC's down payment assistance second and the state's $20,000 new-construction program, and it can ride alongside a VA loan.
Can you use Utah Housing down payment assistance with a VA loan?
Yes — with one structural detail: UHC's down payment assistance second (up to 6% of the first-mortgage amount) rides with a UHC first mortgage, and UHC's FHA/VA track includes a VA-guaranteed first originated through participating lenders. So you get a VA loan and the assistance together, inside UHC's program — it doesn't attach to a standalone VA loan from outside the program. Even though VA is $0 down, the assistance covers closing costs and prepaids. One assistance program per transaction, and UHC income and price limits apply.
How much down payment assistance can you get in Utah?
Through Utah Housing Corporation, the DPA second is up to 6% of the first-mortgage amount. Utah's separate SB 240 program adds up to $20,000 (0% deferred, repaid at sale or refinance) for new-build, never-occupied homes priced up to $450,000 — active in 2026, funded until the appropriation runs out.
Can I use Utah DPA with a VA loan?
UHC assistance is designed to ride with a UHC first mortgage. For a full-entitlement Veteran, VA-only is often cheaper; when UHC helps, it is usually closing-cost assistance. We run both ways.
What credit score do you need for Utah down payment assistance?
Plan on about a 660 credit score for FirstHome, 620 for UHC's FHA/VA track, and 700 for the conventional track. We confirm your eligibility and the current program lineup up front — UHC adjusts its menu (HomeAgain, for example, is currently suspended).
Does Utah DPA hurt my VA entitlement?
No. A UHC assistance second is a separate lien; your VA first mortgage uses entitlement and the second does not, so you preserve future-purchase entitlement.