Housing Navigation

Our Housing Navigator works to support eligible home seekers in navigating the homebuying process and connects community members to affordable housing-related resources and educational opportunities.

Homeowners

Individuals who are interested in becoming homeowners, are homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage, or are facing foreclosure should reach out to the Housing Navigator directly for support.

South Salt Lake, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, is expanding home support through the Service Team for Exterior Projects (S.T.E.P.), a volunteer-driven program that helps eligible homeowners maintain safe, accessible outdoor spaces. The program serves homeowners earning at or below 80% of the area median income.S.T.E.P. provides assistance with basic exterior maintenance and minor repairs, including landscaping (trimming or removing overgrown plants and trees, clearing debris, and improving accessibility) and small structural fixes (leveling walkways, repairing fences and sheds, removing hazards, and enhancing porch safety). To learn more or apply contact program manager Kathryn Webb at 801-263-0136 ext. 214.
CHiRP or Critical Home Repairs by Habitat for Humanity: The program helps low to moderate income homeowners fixing roof leaks, windows (broken/missing), doors, and security hardware, Plumbing leaks and fixtures, smoke and CO detector installation, unsafe or damaged flooring, accessibility upgrades (ramps, lifts, grab bars), electrical hazards and wiring issues, water heater, furnace, and A/C repairs. Visit their website to apply online or call (801) 263-0136 ext. 211.
Weatherization by UCA: The Weatherization Program helps families who make 200% or less of the federal poverty level through cost-effective home improvements and energy audits. Repairs and upgrades decrease energy costs, increase energy-efficiency and improve indoor air quality. Contact Utah Community Action by calling 801-359-2444.
ASSIST’s Emergency Home Repair Program: ASSIST helps home owners with urgent repairs causing immediate safety concerns. They work for households earning less than 80% of the area median income and can be reached by calling 801 355 7085, Monday to Friday, 8 am-9 am and 1pm -2 pm.
Foreclosure is the legal process where lenders take possession of the property if the borrower is unable to make mortgage payments. Avoiding foreclosure is all about taking action in time and communicating with the right persons- the lender, housing counselors etc. The Consumer Finance Bureau provides specific guidelines to avoid foreclosure and actions to take if someone missed their mortgage payments. Housing and Urban Development or HUD also provides helpful guidance to avoid foreclosure, and can be reached out by calling (800) 569-4287 or the Homeowners Hope Hotline at (888) 995-HOPE to ask for assistance in working with the lender.
If you are struggling with staying current on your mortgage payments, please contact the housing navigator with Promise, who can guide you in the situation and connect you with a HUD approved housing counseling agency.

Aspiring Homeowners

Individuals who are looking for rental assistance or are being evicted should reach out to our Liaison Team. They can support with connecting to resources that can help mitigate these situations and work to address other circumstances causing housing instability (ex. job/skill training, childcare, etc.).

If you are interested in becoming a homeowner but are overwhelmed with the process and dealing with different professionals, our homebuying education classes can help! In partnership with USU Extension, Promise SSL held quarterly homebuying education workshops. This class is designed to help participants better understand the steps to homeownership, assess their financial readiness, and learn how to work with realtors, lenders, inspectors, insurance companies, and title companies throughout the process. Whether you are just beginning to explore homeownership or actively planning to buy, this session will provide valuable information and resources. The classes are completely free, but require registration because of limited spots. Contact Fairuz for more information.
Along with this, CDCU offers homebuying education through their HomeStart series and provides financial counseling to prepare you for homeownership.
Managing your finances is one of the most crucial factors to homeownership, and Promise SSL Housing navigator can help you with that! With the help of USU PowerPay, a free online based debt management tool, you can keep track of your debts and use your paid off payments toward the remaining debts in an organized way. You can explore the tool here or schedule a one on one session with the housing navigator to discuss more.
Promise SSL families can connect you with the Utah Dream Fund, which is a shared appreciation home financing program. It is designed for households who are ready to become homeowners but find it difficult to afford a traditional mortgage due to high home prices and large down payment requirements. The program allows buyers to purchase a home with lower upfront costs by providing up to 40% of the home’s value at closing as a second mortgage, which comes with no monthly principal or interest payments. Instead of paying ongoing interest, homeowners agree to share a portion of the home’s value with the program when they eventually sell or refinance. This approach helps make monthly housing costs more manageable while still offering the stability, security, and pride of homeownership. The program is intended for households who want to buy a home but are priced out of traditional financing, are first-time or returning buyers (meaning they haven’t owned a primary residence in the past three years), and earn up to approximately 140% of the Area Median Income.
Along with this, Promise SSL is partnering with Habitat for Humanity to form a Neighborhood Partnership Program for making homeownership more affordable. Details will be provided soon! Downpayment assistance is also available with Utah Housing Corporation statewide through their Downpayment Assistance Second Mortgage program and countywide through CDCU DPA program.

SSL Utility Assistance Program

The South Salt Lake Utility Assistance Program is a voluntary program to help low-income individuals and families with their utility bills. The program is funded through donations that are placed into a fund exclusively used for low-income utility assistance in South Salt Lake. This program is a collaboration between Promise SSL, the SSL Finance Department, and Utah Community Action.

- Must be a resident of the City of South Salt Lake and have water and/or sewer utility billing.
- The program only covers water and/or sewer utility expenses billed directly from their water provider (depending on location within the city, this may include the City of South Salt Lake, Jordan Valley, Mount Olympus Valley, or Salt Lake City).
- Tenants whose name is NOT on the utility bill, but who pay the utility provider directly for water and sewer service and who can provide both:
  - A lease that clearly states the tenant is responsible for paying water and sewer services separately from the rent, and
  - A letter from the landlord or landlord’s management company that confirms that the tenant is responsible to pay the utility bill directly to the city.
- The household must have gross income at or below 150% of the federal poverty line, have suffered a life-changing event (i), and/or have experienced a significant reduction in income (ii).
- Commercial properties and unoccupied residences are not eligible.
- Application is open October 1st to September 30th.
- The resident has suffered (i) a life-changing event that has caused a significant financial burden to the resident, or (ii) a significant reduction in the resident’s monthly household income. Examples of “life-changing events” include, but are not limited to, death in the household, job loss, medical emergency, or other special financial circumstances. A “significant” reduction in income must meet the minimum threshold of 30% reduction of the original monthly household income. Proof must be brought to the Administrator under this qualifying condition.
- Funding can assist with paying water, sewer, stormwater, and garbage utilities, but does not cover a reconnection fee (if applicable) or returned check fees.
- If approved to receive assistance funding, any outstanding door hanger fees will be waived by the City.
- Participants are limited to assistance once per fiscal year.
- Assistance is limited to the lesser of $150.00 or the outstanding balance on the utility account.
- Payments will be sent directly to the utility provider (City of South Salt Lake, Jordan Valley, Mount Olympus Valley, or Salt Lake City).
- Funding is limited to the balance available to be disbursed from the program fund.
- Disbursements are processed based on the date the application is submitted and complete, on a first come, first serve basis.
- If approved for assistance, recipients will be referred to the Promise SSL Family Engagement team for additional services and resources (financial management, career development, food etc.)