Frequently Asked Questions

What is affordable housing?

"Affordable housing" is an umbrella term to describe homes for purchase and rentals available to people of medium and low income (based on the demographics of Summit County).

Why is the County encouraging and building affordable housing?

Ensuring that people of all economic levels can find quality housing in the county is essential to the quality of life and sustainability of our county.

What's the difference between "affordable" and "attainable" housing?

Affordable housing units are priced at amounts that people making 80% of the area median income (AMI) will be able to afford in Summit County. Attainable housing units are priced at amounts that people making 81-150% of AMI will be able to afford.

As of 2025, Summit County’s area median income was listed at $118,000 for a one-person household, or $134,900 for a two-person household.

How to qualify?

The qualifications for affordable and attainable housing include, but are not limited to:

Working a minimum of 30 hours per week for an employer physically located in Summit County (at least one occupant)
Meeting specified Area Median Income (AMI) limits based on household size
Occupying the unit as a primary residence

For questions about eligibility, contact Economic Development and Housing Manager Madlyn McDonough at mmconough@summitcountyutah.gov or 435-615-3958.

How to buy?

When deed-restricted housing becomes available through the county, the units will be listed under the "Available Units" page. For more information, contact Economic Development and Housing Manager Madlyn McDonough at mmconough@summitcountyutah.gov or 435-615-3958.

Additionally, Park City provides opportunities for qualified individuals to purchase housing through their program. People who meet the qualifications to purchase an affordable or attainable housing unit in the city are added to a waitlist, and are then notified about purchase opportunities, in order of their standing on the waitlist. On average, there are 5-10 opportunities to purchase an affordable or attainable unit each year. Visit the For Sale Housing Program page to learn more.

How to rent?

Summit County works with multiple community agencies to connect prospective renters with housing units in the area. Please be aware that the following agencies may have different qualification and application processes than Summit County:

Mountainlands Community Housing Trust: maintains information about affordable rental units. Contact: 435.647.9719 | mcht@housinghelp.org
Housing Connect: manages the distribution of Housing Choice Program (formerly known as Section 8) rental vouchers in Summit County. Contact: 801.284.4400 | info@housingconnect.org
Utah Department of Workforce Services: maintains a database of affordable rental housing statewide. Contact: 801-526-9675 | dwscontactus@utah.gov

What documents will I need?

For the Affordable Housing Department's application, you will need the following information:

Adjusted gross household income
Net household worth (all assets, less debt)
Location and hours of employment
Most recent tax returns
Verification of employment (to be sent out by County staff)
Legal divorce settlement document including alimony and/or child support amounts (if applicable)
Financial statements for all assets (checking, savings, investments, retirement accounts, equity, etc.)
Statements of all debt (credit card, car loan, mortgage, etc.)
Pre-approval letter from a certified lender with a statement of maximum mortgage the applicant is qualified for (pre-qualification is not sufficient)

For all other questions about affordable housing eligibility and applications, contact Economic Development and Housing Manager Madlyn McDonough at mmconough@summitcountyutah.gov or 435-615-3958.

What is a deed restriction?

A deed restriction is a legally binding document that is recorded against a property detailing how a property may be used, owned and/or transferred. The county works with property owners to deed-restrict housing units, which allows units to remain affordable in perpetuity. This allows more members of Summit County's workforce to live in the community, instead of commuting from elsewhere.

How to support affordable housing?

The Economic Development Department works with local municipalities and housing advocacy groups across Utah and Summit County, including:

If you’re interested in advocating for affordable housing, please check out these organizations and share the resources they provide.

Which mortgage lenders are familiar with affordable housing?

Barrett Financial Group (NMLS: 294849)
- Amy Cairn, Mortgage Loan Originator, 435-640-1878 (amy@barrettfinancial.com)
- Jovan Garcia (se habla Español) (jovan@barrettfinancial.com)
Intermountain Mortgage Group (NMLS: 1616036)
- 2029 Sidewinder Drive, Ste 200 Park City, UT 84060
- Andre Dumas, Loan Officer, 435-647-6545 (andre@greatlender.com)
Intercap Lending (NMLS: 232956)
- 228 State Rd 248, Suite 2A Kamas, UT, 84036
- Amy Yost, Lending Manager, 435-640-1214 (amy.yost@intercaplending.com)
First Community Bank (NMLS: 692792)
- 12 S. Main St. Layton, UT 84041
- Eric Fisher Mortgage Sales Manager, 801-699-8757 (edfisher@fcbutah.com)
Bank of Utah (NMLS: 543670)
- 620 West 100 South Heber City, UT 84032
- Lori Bourassa Senior Mortgage Loan Officer, 801-409-5447 (lbourassa@bankofutah.com)