DENVER — A handful of nonprofits have until the end of June to dole out $30 million in rental assistance. The money is part of the state's Temporary Emergency Rental Assistance Grant Program (TRAG).
On Wednesday, the Community Economic Defense Project (CED) held open office hours for anyone who needs assistance pre-applying for the money.
"I know it could be difficult navigating that application online or some might not have access to a computer, so we’re here to support the community and we want people to know there is hope out there," Cesar Jimenez, CED's Head of Rental Programs, said. "If they receive a demand notice or a summons notice, it’s not the end of the process. There is help available to them."
CED is one of the five agencies in the state that is helping distribute the money. The agencies have until the end of June to use all $30 million.
"We are doing our best with the support of the other partnering agencies to get the money out as soon as possible to the most vulnerable community members," Jimenez explained.
The amount of money someone receives will be limited to what they need but it will be no more than seven months of rent or $10,000, whichever is a lesser amount.
The eligibility requirements include:
- Be a resident of Colorado
- Have a lease in Colorado
- Income should not exceed 80% of the median income for the area they live in
- Must have documentation proving they're at risk of eviction due to falling behind on rental payments
- Must have experienced a significant life event that has affected their ability to pay rent
- Must not have received emergency rental assistance in the last 12 months
"Denver alone almost had 13,000 evictions filed last year in 2023 and based on those projections for the first quarter of 2024, we see we might exceed those projections so there is definitely a huge need for the assistance," Jimenez said.
A Denver resident named James stopped in on Wednesday afternoon. He stated he was out of work and eager to apply for the assistance and hopeful for the support.
"Hopefully I’m able to get some help in rental assistance and stay in my apartment,” James said. "I don’t want to be on the streets.”
The pre-application does not guarantee funding. There will be a random selection process that will choose a certain number of eligible applicants to fully apply. They will have seven days to get the full application complete.
"The hope is that we can stabilize as many households now and hopefully they don't have the need to use this emergency rental assistance in the future," Jimenez added. "I've seen people struggle and go through the court process and when we talk to them and we offer that support, you can see a glimmer of hope in their faces."
The window to pre-apply for funding closes on Saturday, April 20. Individuals can apply online or visit the CED if they need help. CED has the following locations with open office hours this week to help applicants:
CEDP Office Details:
Denver
1600 N. Downing St.
Suite 600
Denver, CO 80218
Monday April 15 - Friday April 19
9 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Colorado Springs
The Family Success Center
1520 Verde Dr.
Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Monday April 15 - Friday April 19
9 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
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