Last updated: May 19, 2026
Bottom line
Utah housing help is real, but it is usually not a simple cash grant. The best starting point depends on your problem. If you may lose housing now, start with DWS Emergency Assistance, Utah 211, and your nearest Community Action agency. If you need long-term rent help, apply with your local housing authority for vouchers, public housing, or project-based housing when lists are open.
Many programs have waitlists, income rules, funding limits, and paperwork. Do not wait for one office to call back before you try the next option. For a broader overview, use ASMOM’s housing help hub and the Utah help page.
If you need help today
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988. If you are in Salt Lake County and need a bed tonight, Salt Lake County says you can call the homeless resource triage line at 801-990-9999 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through its place to stay guidance.
For statewide help, call 2-1-1 or use Utah 211 search. Ask for emergency shelter, rent help, utility help, family shelter, domestic violence shelter, legal aid, and Community Action in your county.
If abuse or stalking is part of your housing crisis, contact the UDVC LINKLine at 1-800-897-5465. If it is unsafe to use your phone or browser, use a safer device if you can.
Where to start
Eviction or shutoff
Apply for emergency help, call 2-1-1, and ask the court or legal aid what deadlines you must meet.
Long-term rent help
Contact your local Public Housing Authority. Ask about Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, project-based vouchers, and waiting lists.
Utility bills
Apply for HEAT and ask your utility company about payment plans before shutoff.
Moving costs
Ask Community Action, 2-1-1, churches, school social workers, and local nonprofits about deposits, furniture, and basic household items.
Quick reference: Utah housing help
| Need | Start here | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Past-due rent | DWS, 2-1-1, Community Action | Ask about emergency rent, deposits, and landlord mediation. | Funds can run out and help may be one-time. |
| Shelter tonight | 2-1-1 or local homeless system | Ask for family shelter and coordinated entry. | Some shelters serve only certain groups. |
| Long-term rent help | Local housing authority | Ask which waitlists are open now. | Waitlists may be closed or long. |
| Utility bill | HEAT office | Ask about HEAT, crisis help, and weatherization. | HEAT has income and document rules. |
| Eviction papers | Court self-help and legal aid | Ask what deadline applies to your case. | Do not ignore court papers. |
Emergency rent, deposit, and short-term housing help
Utah’s Department of Workforce Services has an Emergency Assistance program for families who may become homeless or lose utilities because of a crisis beyond their control. The program can help with rent, a security deposit, mortgage, or utilities for a short time. DWS says the payment is available once in a 12-month period for eligible households, and the family must have at least one dependent child under 18 in the home.
The DWS page lists current limits and rules, including the need to show that one payment can solve the immediate crisis and that the household can keep paying future bills. Check the official DWS Emergency Assistance page before you apply because limits and requirements can change.
Utah also funds TANF Family Housing through approved providers. This is not a statewide cash program that every family can apply for directly online. Ask DWS, Utah 211, or a local agency whether a provider near you has TANF Family Housing funds for deposits, rent, utilities, mortgage help, or back payments. You can also read more in ASMOM’s emergency help guide.
Do not use old COVID rent pages as your first step
The state’s old emergency rental assistance portal says it stopped accepting new applications on February 5, 2023. If you see that page in search results, treat it as old program information and use current DWS, 2-1-1, and local agency paths instead. The notice is still posted on the COVID rent portal.
Section 8, public housing, and housing authorities
Housing Choice Vouchers, often called Section 8, help low-income families rent from private landlords when a voucher is available. HUD says local Public Housing Authorities decide eligibility based on income, family size, and citizenship or eligible immigration status. HUD also says public housing is run by local housing authorities for eligible low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities.
Start with the HUD Utah page and ask your local housing authority about every list you may qualify for. Do not ask only about Section 8. Also ask about public housing, project-based vouchers, Rental Assistance Demonstration units, and any local preferences for families who are homeless, disabled, displaced, or paying too much rent.
In Salt Lake County, Housing Connect vouchers serve many families, but separate waiting lists can open and close. Housing Connect’s site says its HCV, project-based, RAD project-based, and public housing lists are currently closed on its Connect to Housing page, so check before you spend time gathering a full application packet. In Utah County, use the Utah County Section 8 page and ask whether you should also contact Provo City if you live in Provo.
ASMOM has a broader Section 8 guide if you need help understanding vouchers, inspections, landlord issues, and waitlists.
Affordable rentals without a voucher
A voucher is not the only path. Some affordable apartments are funded through tax credits, USDA Rural Development, local housing authorities, or nonprofit housing groups. These properties usually have income limits. Some have lower rents than nearby market-rate apartments, but they may still have waitlists.
HUD warns that the HUD Resource Locator does not show vacancies and HUD does not keep the property waitlists. Use it to find possible properties, then call each property manager directly. For rural areas, ask about USDA Rural Development rentals, and for disability-related needs, check Utah’s state housing resource lists through DHHS housing resources.
If you are moving after a crisis, also look at local help with basic setup costs. ASMOM’s furniture help page can support the move-in stage after you find a unit.
| Housing path | Who runs it | Best next step | Ask this question |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Choice Voucher | Local housing authority | Check open lists | “Which voucher list is open now?” |
| Public housing | Local housing authority | Ask by bedroom size | “Do you have family units?” |
| Project-based voucher | Property or housing authority | Call the property | “Is the property list open?” |
| Tax-credit rental | Private or nonprofit owner | Call the manager | “What income limit applies?” |
| USDA rural rental | USDA-funded property | Search rural properties | “Do you have rental assistance?” |
Utility help and weatherization
Utah’s Home Energy Assistance Target program, called HEAT, helps eligible low-income households with home energy costs. DWS says the HEAT program year runs from October 1 through September 30, or until federal LIHEAP funds are gone. Households with an elderly member, a disabled member, or a young child under age 6 can apply starting October 1. The general public can apply starting November 1.
DWS lists basic HEAT rules: household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, the household must be responsible for home energy costs, and at least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen. Apply online or contact your HEAT program office. If you face shutoff, ask the local HEAT office about crisis help.
When you apply for HEAT, ask about weatherization help. Weatherization can reduce energy use and make a home safer or more comfortable. If utility costs are one part of a bigger budget problem, ASMOM’s utility help page and SNAP food help page may help you free up money for rent.
Eviction, legal help, and safety concerns
This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you get an eviction notice or court papers, act fast. The safest first step is to read the official Utah Courts eviction page and contact legal aid. Utah Legal Services also has plain-language eviction basics.
If you believe a landlord refused you because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, or another protected issue, contact the Utah Labor Commission’s fair housing complaint page or HUD. Families with children are protected from many forms of family-status discrimination, but rules can depend on the facts.
If violence, threats, or stalking are part of the problem, housing choices can become safety choices. Utah DHHS has a domestic violence map for emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and other services. ASMOM’s safety resources and Utah legal help pages can point you to more support.
Homebuyer and down payment help
If you are trying to buy a home, be careful with “grant” language. Many Utah homebuyer programs are loans, deferred loans, or down payment assistance tied to a mortgage. Utah Housing Corporation’s down payment assistance document says Utah Housing may provide a second loan with some loan programs, and it is not a forgivable grant. Review the official Utah Housing DPA document and talk with a participating lender before you count on the help.
Community Development Corporation of Utah may offer down payment help to approved applicants when funding is available. CDCU says awards are competitive, first-come, first-qualified, and not guaranteed. Check CDCU down payment information before you apply. ASMOM’s homebuyer help page covers Utah-specific homebuyer options in more detail.
Homebuyer tip
Before signing a contract, ask a HUD-approved housing counselor or nonprofit homeownership counselor to review your budget. A lower down payment does not always mean the home will be affordable after taxes, insurance, repairs, utilities, child care, and transportation.
Documents and information to gather
Each office has its own rules, but it helps to keep one folder ready. Do not send original documents unless an agency tells you to. Use copies when possible.
| Document | Why it matters | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Confirms who is applying | Ask what ID is accepted if yours is expired. |
| Proof of children | Shows household size and dependents | Birth certificates, school records, or benefits letters may help. |
| Lease or notice | Shows rent amount and housing problem | Keep eviction notices and landlord letters. |
| Income proof | Programs check income | Use pay stubs, award letters, or employer statements. |
| Utility bill | Needed for HEAT or shutoff help | Include shutoff notice if you have one. |
| Bank information | Some programs check assets | Ask what months are required. |
For more help building a benefits folder, use ASMOM’s documents checklist. If you are applying for cash, child care, food, or medical help through DWS at the same time, use the state assistance portal. ASMOM also has pages for TANF in Utah and child care help.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting for a voucher only. Apply for vouchers when you can, but also call affordable properties, shelters, Community Action, and 2-1-1.
- Ignoring a court paper. Eviction cases can move quickly. Check the deadline and ask legal aid what to do next.
- Paying for lists. Be careful with sites that charge for “guaranteed” housing lists. Use official or trusted sources first.
- Following scam texts. DWS warns that it will not ask for personal information by text, phone, or email for state or federal programs it administers. Use official DWS pages and myCase.
- Using only one county office. If you are willing to move, ask nearby housing authorities and properties about their own lists.
Backup options if the first answer is no
A denial or closed waitlist does not always mean there is no help. Ask for the reason in writing. Ask when you can reapply. Ask whether another program fits better. If rent help is not available, ask about utility help, food help, child care help, bus passes, work supports, furniture, legal aid, or mediation. Those supports may not pay rent directly, but they can lower pressure on your budget.
For local support paths, use ASMOM’s community support page and charity guide. If you have served in the military or are a surviving spouse, also ask 2-1-1 about veteran housing and benefit programs.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling 2-1-1
“Hi, I am a single parent in [city or county]. I may lose housing because of [rent, deposit, shutoff, unsafe housing, or shelter need]. Can you give me current referrals for family shelter, rent help, Community Action, legal aid, and utility help?”
Calling DWS or Community Action
“I have a dependent child in my home and a housing crisis. Can you tell me whether Emergency Assistance, TANF Family Housing, deposit help, landlord mediation, or utility help is available in my county?”
Calling a housing authority
“Which waiting lists are open today? Do you have Housing Choice Voucher, public housing, project-based voucher, or family units? Do you have any local preferences I should know about?”
Calling legal aid
“I received an eviction notice or court paper dated [date]. What deadline should I know about, and can someone help me understand my options?”
Resumen en español
Si necesita ayuda con vivienda en Utah, empiece con 2-1-1, el Departamento de Workforce Services, una agencia de Community Action y su autoridad local de vivienda. Para una emergencia, pregunte por refugio familiar, ayuda con renta, depósito, servicios públicos y asistencia legal. Si hay violencia doméstica o peligro, llame al 911 si hay emergencia o a la línea UDVC al 1-800-897-5465.
Para ayuda de largo plazo, pregunte por Section 8, vivienda pública y apartamentos con renta reducida. Las listas pueden estar cerradas o tener espera. Guarde copias de su identificación, contrato de renta, avisos, comprobantes de ingresos, facturas y documentos de sus hijos.
FAQ: Utah housing assistance
Can single mothers get housing assistance in Utah?
Yes, but most programs are based on income, household size, crisis, disability, homelessness risk, or local rules. Being a single mother can affect household needs, but it does not usually create a separate guaranteed housing grant.
Is Utah Emergency Assistance the same as Section 8?
No. Emergency Assistance is short-term help for eligible families in a crisis. Section 8 is long-term rental help through a local housing authority when a voucher and waiting list opening are available.
What should I do if a Section 8 list is closed?
Ask the housing authority when to check again, whether other lists are open, and whether project-based or public housing lists are separate. Also call affordable properties directly and use 2-1-1 for local referrals.
Can HEAT help with rent?
No. HEAT is for home energy costs. It may still help your budget by lowering utility pressure. For rent, ask DWS, Community Action, 2-1-1, legal aid, and local charities about current options.
What if I have an eviction notice?
Read the Utah Courts eviction information, contact Utah Legal Services or another qualified legal provider, and ask about emergency rent help right away. Do not ignore court papers or deadlines.
Are Utah down payment programs free grants?
Often no. Many are loans, deferred loans, second mortgages, or assistance tied to a mortgage. Read the program terms and ask a counselor or lender how repayment works before signing.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 19, 2026, next review August 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.