Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) recently launched its Temporary Rental Assistance Grant Initiative which will provide $30 million in temporary rental assistance to Coloradans at risk of eviction or displacement. 

The pre-application period repeatedly opens on the 15th day of each month and closes on the 20th while funds are still available. Following the pre-application period, DOLA conducts a random selection process to invite individuals to complete a full application. Funds must be spent by June 30. 

DOLA is prioritizing those who are facing eviction. To qualify, someone must be a Colorado resident, hold a valid lease, be at risk of eviction or displacement and should make at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI), among other factors. There is an assistance limit of $10,000 and the intention is to stabilize the home, not to provide recurring assistance.

Applicants must have experienced a significant life event to qualify. Such circumstances can include a health related event (mental health inclusive), a loss or decrease in income, the death of a family member, a need to leave one’s home due to domestic abuse, or a substantial unexpected expense like a car repair. 

People who have already received rental assistance within the past 12 months are not eligible. 

However, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available to people regardless of whether or not they received rental assistance within the past 12 months. To be eligible for that program one must have a current court summons in hand. 

The agency is also eager to spread the word about the program to those who face language and other accessibility barriers. Applicants are not required to disclose their immigration status. 

“We’ve been trying to get the word out through the media, using social media and doing ‘grasstops advocacy.’ So we’ve reached out to our nonprofit partners as well as city and county leaders across the state,” a spokesperson from DOLA commented. “But our team constantly reevaluates our process because we do see holes. We do see that there’s a gap in certain counties. We’re working to increase our outreach to those counties and working with them to make sure they have the information they need. We have to consider the unique needs of all our constituents.” 

DOLA has a team monitoring spending rates and efficiency to ensure that funds are rolling out accordingly. The initiative comes at a time when Colorado’s housing costs are about 20% higher than the national average and, according to a recent article by the Colorado Sun, the average rental cost for a one-bedroom apartment sits at $2,000 a month.

While the goal of this initiative is to keep as many Coloradans housed as possible, it is not a quick fix. 

“We’re hoping that we can avoid some evictions, but we still have to work with landlords throughout this process. We do deliver direct pay to landlords, so we’re hoping that they are more willing to work with us instead of filing for eviction and putting that on someone’s record moving forward — which exacerbates the situation,” the spokesperson concluded. “Obviously, the program itself is not going to solve housing instability. We’re eager to work with our partners and legislators across the state to try to come up with a more long-term solution.”

To find out more, visit cdola.colorado.gov/temporary-rental-assistance