Affordable Housing

Down Payment Assistance Program

The City offers a Down Payment Assistance Program to low- and moderate-income persons wishing to purchase a home in the City of West Jordan. The program provides loans for half of the required down payment and one-time closing costs for a combined total of $7,500. Homebuyers are required to meet income requirements and to live in the home for a period of 5 years. After the initial 5-year period, the loan is forgiven and no repayment is due.

Housing Rehabilitation Program

The City offers low-interest loans to homeowners living within the City of West Jordan for the rehabilitation of existing homes to bring them up to the Department of Housing & Urban Development’s Minimum Property Standards. Loans are for a 10-20 year period at a 5% interest rate. Seniors and disabled persons may qualify for a 0% interest deferred loan with no payments required until the home is disposed of.

West Jordan Senior Housing

Developed under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 202 Program, the West Jordan Senior Housing development offers 65 one-bedroom units for seniors 62 years of age and older. Partners in this development included the Olene Walker Housing Trust Fund, Salt Lake County HOME Program, West Jordan HOME and RDA Program.

This project features a grand staircase and fireplace in a rotunda setting. Amenities include laundry rooms, craft/exercise room, library, meeting room with kitchen for gatherings and parties, covered parking, walking trail, and a playground for visiting children. Residents pay rent with utilities included at a rate of 30% of their monthly income.

This project is located within walking distance to the West Jordan Senior Center, Gene Fullmer Recreation Center, West Jordan Government Offices, shopping and a TRAX station. Contact the Utah Nonprofit Housing Corporation at 801-364-6117 for details and an application.

Fair Housing

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of:

• Race or color
• National origin
• Religion
• Sex
• Familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under 18)
• Handicap (Disability)

What Housing Is Covered?

The Fair Housing Act covers most housing. In some circumstances, the Act exempts owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units, single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker, and housing operated by organizations and private clubs that limit occupancy to members.

What Is Prohibited?

In the sale and rental of housing, no one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap:

• Refuse to rent or sell housing
• Refuse to negotiate for housing
• Make housing unavailable
• Deny a dwelling
• Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
• Provide different housing services or facilities
• Falsely deny that housing is available for inspection, sale, or rental
• For profit, persuade owners to sell or rent (blockbusting); or
• Deny anyone access to or membership in a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing.

In mortgage lending, no one may take any of the following actions based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap (disability):

• Refuse to make a mortgage loan
• Refuse to provide information regarding loans
• Impose different terms or conditions on a loan, such as different interest rates, points, or fees
• Discriminate in appraising property
• Refuse to purchase a loan
• Set different terms or conditions for purchasing a loan.

In addition, it is illegal for anyone to:

• Threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair housing right or assisting others who exercise that right. 
• Advertise or make any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap. This prohibition against discriminatory advertising applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act.

Additional Protection If You Have a Disability

If you or someone associated with you:                       

• Have a physical or mental disability (including hearing, mobility and visual impairments, chronic alcoholism, chronic mental illness, AIDS, AIDS Related Complex) that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
• Have a record of such a disability or are regarded as having such a disability your landlord may not:
• Refuse to let you make reasonable modifications to your dwelling or common use areas, at your expense, if necessary for the disabled person to use the housing. (Where reasonable, the landlord may permit changes only if you agree to restore the property to its original condition when you move.)
• Refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services if necessary for the disabled person to use the housing.

Example: A building with a “no pets” policy must allow a visually impaired tenant to keep a guide dog.

Example: An apartment complex that offers tenants ample, unassigned parking must honor a request from a mobility-impaired tenant for a reserved space near his or her apartment if necessary to ensure apartment access.

However, housing need not be made available to a person who is a direct threat to the health or safety of others or who currently uses illegal drugs.

Requirements for New Buildings

In buildings that are ready for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, and have an elevator and four or more units:

• Public and common areas must be accessible to persons with disabilities
• Doors and hallways must be wide enough for wheelchairs

All units must have:

• An accessible route into and through the unit
• Accessible light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats and other environmental controls 
• Reinforced bathroom walls to allow later installation of grab bars and kitchens and bathrooms that can be used by people in wheelchairs.

If a building with four or more units has no elevator and will be ready for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, these standards apply to ground floor units.

These requirements for new buildings do not replace any more stringent standards in State or local law.

Housing Opportunities For Families

Unless a building or community qualifies as housing for older persons, it may not discriminate based on familial status. That is, it may not discriminate against families in which one or more children under 18 live with:

•  A parent
•  A person who has legal custody of the child or children.

For Further Information

The Fair Housing Act and HUD’s regulations contain more detail and technical information. If you need a copy of the law or regulations, contact the HUD Office nearest you.