Nonprofits Racing Against Time to Distribute Rental Assistance Funds

A collective of nonprofits in Colorado is charged with the substantial task of distributing $30 million in rental assistance before the end of June. These funds are sourced from the state's Temporary Emergency Rental Assistance Grant Program (TRAG).

Among these nonprofits is the Community Economic Defense Project (CED). Being one of five primary agencies tasked with this responsibility, CED had recently organized open office hours to aid those needing assistance in filing their pre-applications for funding.

Head of Rental Programs at CED, Cesar Jimenez, mentioned the challenges faced by some of Denver's residents, underscoring the importance of this distribution. He maintained that despite intimidating legal notices pertaining to eviction, help is available.

Eligibility for this funding is based on several conditions, including being a resident of Colorado, possession of a lease in Colorado, and an income not exceeding 80% of the median for their area. Additionally, applicants should not have received emergency rental assistance in the last year, must be at risk of eviction due to falling behind on rental payments, and must have experienced a significant life event affecting their ability to pay rent.

Despite the stipulations, the need for rental assistance is undeniable. Denver alone faced nearly 13,000 filed evictions just in 2023. Alarmingly, projections for 2024 could potentially surpass this figure, reinforcing the urgency of this cause.

The funded assistance provides up to seven months of rent or $10,000, whichever calculates to a lesser amount. The ultimate goal is to stabilize households and mitigate the need for urgent rental assistance in the future.

Take Note, This Could Be Happening in Your State!

While this report highlights the situation in Colorado, it is crucial for residents across the nation to stay informed and prepared. As the economic aftermath of the pandemic continues to disrupt housing stability in many states, similar relief grants are likely to be initiated elsewhere.

Keep a close eye on state and local housing policies, as well as the actions of nonprofits in your area. Stay informed about the eligibility for such programs and how to apply if necessary. Relief funds are often time-bound and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Awareness is the first step to access, prepare for, and benefit from such assistance. Staying vigilant could make a significant difference in mitigating housing hardships in these challenging times. Crisis or not, your home security could very well depend on it.

-

Check out these housing support and assistance available in other states:

• New Rental Assistance Program To Aid Low-Income Workers
• HUD Explores Radical Change In Housing Assistance: Direct Cash Aid For California Renters
• HUD Awards $13.5 Million in Grants to Expand Access to Homeownership Opportunities