Utah Law Enforcement & Correctional Officer Grant

Starting July 1st, to help Law Enforcement or Correctional Officers, Utah Housing Corporation is providing interest-free, forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance grants to individuals working as Law Enforcement or Correctional officers to purchase a home in or near the community where they work. 

How Does It Work? 

The Utah Law Enforcement Grant is for law enforcement and Correctional Officers, it aims to assist approximately 320 officers who are first-time home buyers. It can be used to put down a down payment, cover closing costs, apply mortgage insurance, or mortgage interest rate buydown. You may request grant funds starting July 1, 2022, which is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once you have qualified and reserved your grant, RanLife can hold on to the funds until you find your dream home. 

Law Enforcement or Correctional Officers may receive up to 3.5% of the total loan amount or $25,000 (whichever is less) toward the purchase of a new home. The grant is available for first-time homebuyers (not having had an ownership interest in a primary residence in the past 3 years in Utah). The first-time homebuyer requirement is waived if an officer moves to Utah from out of state. 

The Grant is fully forgiven unless any of the following apply: 

• The home is sold before 5 years from the purchase date 
• The officer leaves employment as a law enforcement officer or correctional officer
• The owner does not live in the house 30 days after closing, and as long as the home is the officer's primary residence as long as they own the home. 
• If an officer no longer lives in the residence, then the grant may not be given although there are some special circumstances such as Officer relocation in Utah, critical or terminal health conditions, etc. 

Qualifications 

• Full-time employment as a Law Enforcement or Correctional Officer, as defined in Utah Code Section 53-13-103 or Section 53-13-104
• The Officer must be a first-time homebuyer defined as:
  • Not having had an ownership interest in a primary residence in the past 3 years.
  • A single parent who has at least one dependent child, regardless of previous homeownership interest.
  • Loss of spouse and party no longer occupies nor has an ownership interest in a previously owned home.
• If relocating from out-of-state, the first-time homebuyer requirement is waived
  
  • if a purchase is completed within 6 months of the work-start date in Utah. (up to 12 months if a new home construction purchase contract is signed)
• The home must be owner-occupied within 30 days of closing and remain owner-occupied during the 5-year term of the grant agreement.
• The first mortgage must be funded and serviced by Utah Housing.
• Letter of Grant program participation may be included in the officer’s personnel file for verification of Grant forgiveness or repayment.

Eligible Properties

• Must be owner-occupied
• Single Family Home (can include a mother-in-law apartment or accessory dwelling unit)
• Manufactured Home, placed on a permanent foundation 
• Condominium, Town Home, a home in a Planned Unit Development (PUD, Twin Home)
• A one –two-unit dwelling, the Officer must occupy one of the units as their Primary Residence 

Ineligible Properties

• Investment properties, vacation rentals, second homes, etc

RanLife Home Loans Is Here To Help

For many first-time home buyers, purchasing a home can seem very overwhelming and difficult. RanLife’s experts can make this process as simple and smooth as possible. We are a one-stop shop for everything you would need to purchase a home. With this new and limited forgivable grant for Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers, there may not be a better time to purchase your very first home and turn your dream into an address.