Even as evictions filings continue to rise and home prices and rent remain above pre-pandemic levels, federal funding for rental assistance is disappearing.
The balance is running low for Denver's federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and the Department of Housing Stability announced Friday that it will stop taking new applications at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 9.
The program, funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury's Coronavirus Relief Fund and the American Rescue Plan Act, has been part of city and state efforts, during the pandemic, that have provided more than $130 million in rental assistance to almost 14,000 Denver families.
The program has helped fund rent and utilities, case management, housing stability services and home energy costs for low- and medium-income families.
When the city announced it would be winding down its Emergency Rental Assistance Program, new applications spiked. With funds dwindling, the city will also cut the number of months it will offer support.
Denver will still offer some rental assistance.
The city-funded Temporary Rent Utility Assistance Program will continue to offer help. For more information, go to HOST's Rent Help page. If you're facing eviction, the city also offers legal support and other resources.
But legal support only goes so far in a non-payment case. To cure a no-payment eviction filing, tenants need to be able to pay what they owe. Without these federal funds, there will be fewer resources available for people looking to catch up, making eviction defense attorneys' job keeping people housed significantly more challenging.
