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At The Washington County REALTORS® REACH Foundation, our mission is to enhance community well-being by expanding access to affordable and quality housing. We are committed to supporting homeownership opportunities for individuals and families within Washington County, Utah, and building a future where everyone has a place to call home.
The Washington County Board of REALTORS® advocates for housing options by actively supporting policies and initiatives that will increase the availability and variety of housing choices for people in their community. This includes pushing for affordable housing options over diverse property types to ensure equal access for all demographics.
Our grant program is designed to support local organizations who help increase access to affordable and stable housing, as well as provide down-payment assistance to individuals seeking homeownership opportunities. This program is designed to empower communities, improve living conditions, and ensure that more people have access to a safe place to call HOME.
The application period for our Fall 2026 grant cycle will be open September 15 through October 15, 2026. Selected grant recipients will be notified no later than October 22, 2026.
Check back September 15th to apply!
Click here to follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on grant opportunities.
Thank you for your interest in this program!
If the transaction closes before the grant is awarded, the applicant(s) is no longer eligible. Funds will be sent directly to the title company (not the grant recipient) when the REALTOR® notifies the Board of their client’s closing date. Funds may be used for a down payment or closing costs.
This grant does not need to be repaid, nor will any lien be placed on the home.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we are committed to making homeownership accessible to everyone. Your generous contributions go directly toward organizations that support housing initiatives, as well as help people overcome one of the biggest hurdles in buying a home: the down payment.
Your donations are tax deductible! By giving to REALTORS® REACH Foundation, you’re investing in the future of communities while receiving the tax benefit of supporting a non-profit organization. Together, we can create more homeowners and help families build lasting stability.
Donating is easy & several options are available:
Applications will be accepted on this webpage and reviewed at multiple times throughout the year. Applicants will be required to submit with the application the following:
Applicants may submit their grant application by the program’s deadline (posted on this webpage & updated throughout the year). A committee that oversees the program will conduct an initial review to confirm that the applications meet the basic eligibility requirements and submit recommendations to the governing board of directors for approval.
Washington County, Utah has been grappling with a severe housing crisis. The region has experienced significant population growth, driven by factors like its desirable climate, outdoor recreational opportunities, and lower cost of living compared to other areas in the state. However, this rapid growth has led to a strain on the local housing market, causing many challenges. Programs such as ours ensure housing options are available, and help home buyers afford a home sooner than they would otherwise.
— Laura Ingalls Wilder
Down payment assistance programs exist to help individuals and families overcome one of the most significant barriers to homeownership: the down payment. For many potential homebuyers, especially first-time buyers, and those from low to moderate income backgrounds, saving up enough money for a down payment can be an insurmountable obstacle. Additionally, these programs are designed to increase access to homeownership for groups who might otherwise struggle to buy a home. Homeownership is often seen as a cornerstone of building wealth and financial security, so these programs help bridge that gap.
Grants for housing organizations are essential because they help address critical issues in the housing sector, from affordability to homelessness to community development. These grants provide financial support for organizations that are working to solve some of the most pressing housing challenges. By supporting housing organizations, we help enable essential work that improves lives, strengthens communities, and helps to provide long-term solutions to housing challenges. Without this funding, many of these programs and services wouldn’t exist or would be severely limited in scope.
Washington County has experienced robust population and economic growth over the past two decades. The unintended consequences of growth have presented many challenges, including the acceleration of housing prices, resulting in an unaffordable market.
At the end of 2024, the median sales price for a home in Washington County hit $520,000 (7th in the state) compared to $500,000 for the State of Utah.
Between 2010 and 2023, the county’s population grew by 64,000 people (46% increase) with 83% of that growth driven by net migration.
The path to homeownership is almost non-existent, and renters continue to face affordability challenges. 63% of Washington County’s renters are spending 30% or more on housing costs.
Over the next decade, Washington County’s population is projected to increase by 30.4%, which translates into 29,000 new housing units.
Washington County added over 2,500 jobs since 2019. While wages have increased 58% since 2010, the median household income of $77,500 sits 17% lower than the state average.
Washington County ranked 3rd in the state in terms of building permits, with 33,000 new housing units permitted between 2010 and 2023. Single family starts accounted for 71% of all starts.
Duane & Aina Werner received a $5,000 grant in 2026.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Washington County Board of REALTORS® for the grant we received through the REACH program. It provided us the step-up we needed in order to purchase our home and begin rebuilding stability for our family. Over the past five years, we have experienced job loss, unexpected business setbacks, caring for aging parents, high medical bills, and the general uncertainty that came with facing so many challenges at once.
At a stage in life when we felt we should be financially secure, we instead found ourselves starting over. We made the difficult decision to sell our home in order to pay bills, and we moved into a rental while trying to regain our footing. The REACH grant gave us more than financial assistance—it gave us hope. It became an anchor during a difficult season and allowed us the opportunity to purchase our home and create a stronger sense of security for our family moving forward.
We will always be grateful for this opportunity and for the generosity behind it. We look forward to one day giving back so another family can experience the same blessing and fresh start that we were given. Thank you all so very much.“
John & Patti Carpenter received a $5,000 grant in 2026.
“This is great news and very humbling to be selected. My wife and I are working so hard to get settled, and we have located and are under contract with a home in St. George. Thank you again, this has been a huge blessing for us, and we will be forever grateful.“
Shante & Sean Ekstrom received a $5,000 grant in 2026
“My husband and I had been renting for what felt like forever. We were feeling stuck, and our kids were outgrowing the rental. We considered moving out of state to afford something, but we did not want to leave our home and community. We reached out to Rebecca Bundy, a call she probably got once a year for the last few years. “I want to see if we can get into a house.” We had been working with her for a while and just couldn’t quite reach the financing needed. This time was different, though; I improved my credit score, got a few promotions, and we finally qualified. As we all know, that is only part of the battle. How do we bridge the funding gap to secure the cash for closing? We don’t have a support network that can help with that. Rebecca let us know about the Reach Grant. I truly didn’t think we would get it, but we knew if we did, things would all fall into place. That is exactly what happened, and we were able to get into a home we love and that our family could grow into. We were able to stay in the community we love.”
Marcus Lindsey and Cody Thayne received a $5,000 grant in 2026.
“Thank you so much for approving us for the REACH Grant!!! We are excited and blessed to have been awarded this!”
Joshua Allsop & Hannah Torres received a $5,000 grant in 2025.
“As a full-time special education teacher in Washington County and the primary earner for my family, I’m very motivated to create long-term stability through homeownership. My husband lives with chronic illness, which has limited his ability to work consistently. Because of this, buying a home has felt out of reach at times, even though I work hard to budget, save, and plan responsibly.
I appreciate that REACH is focused on helping local working families right here in Washington County, and I feel like the mission aligns perfectly with where I’m at in life. The support, education, and down payment assistance REACH offers have made homeownership a real possibility for us.
I want to build equity, create lasting stability for our family, and finally have a place that feels like ours. This opportunity has not only changed our family’s future but also allowed me to continue serving the community as a stable, long-term educator.”
Joshua Baum received a $5,000 grant in 2025
“A number of years ago, before the pandemic, I came back to St. George needing to return to square one,” said Baum. “Now, I own my first home, with the help of the REACH grant, some gifts from family, and my own savings. The grant was immensely needed to be that last piece that made everything fall into place and made everything happen.”
Celeste Juarez Cardenas received a $5,000 grant in 2025.
“Whoever tells you prayers and dreams don’t come true, I will tell them they are lying. I wanted to say more than a simple thank you! I want you to know that this grant has helped make a dream come true… not just for me but for my kids. They are beyond excited to move into their own rooms and play in their new backyard! From the bottom of our hearts, we are so grateful. This is a beautiful memory that we will never forget.”
Jorge Hernandez received a $5,000 grant in 2025.
“I am truly very happy and grateful for the $5,000 in financial assistance. Even more so in these uncertain times, any help is incredibly important, and especially such a generous contribution from everyone who made this dream possible for me and my family. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
Heather & McKade Steffensen received a $5,000 grant in 2025.
“The REACH grant was such a huge help for our family, it basically completely covered our closing costs and made things so much easier. It was super easy to apply and totally changed our lives!”
The DOVE Center was awarded a $12,000 grant in 2024.
Dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, the DOVE Center offers safe shelter and trauma-informed care. Through their programs, they foster healing, empower youth, and educate communities, working tirelessly to break cycles of violence and create a safer future for all.
Youth Futures received a $12,000 grant in 2024.
This organization provides safe shelter, resources, and support for homeless and at-risk youth aged 12-17. Through their programs, they help young people reunite with their families or build the skills necessary to achieve independence, fostering hope and brighter futures.
Habitat for Humanity Southwest Utah received a $12,000 grant in 2024.
This global nonprofit is dedicated to creating safe, affordable housing. Since 1998, the Southwest Utah chapter has transformed the lives of over 24 families in Washington County by building, renovating, and repairing homes. Homeowners actively contribute through “sweat equity” and pay affordable mortgages, promoting stability, independence, and a brighter future.
