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Rental assistance for households in need to remain available through locally-funded Temporary Rent and Utility Assistance program

DENVER – Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 – Due to a low balance of remaining program funds, Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST) will stop accepting new first-time applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. The federally-funded program was made possible due to limited Coronovirus Relief Funds and American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated to Denver.

Since ERAP began in 2021, more than $130 million in federal rent assistance funds have been distributed to more than13,700 Denver households through State and City of Denver contractors, and additional households continue to receive assistance. The program supports low- and moderate-income households with funding for rent, rental arrears, utilities and home energy costs, utilities and home energy costs arrears, and housing stability services, including case management and other services intended to keep households stably housed.

Earlier this fall, HOST began implementing limits to the ERAP program in order to utilize remaining federal resources in a manner that benefitted the greatest number of households in need. Denver ERAP began an orderly wind down Nov. 1, 2022 to align with State changes to begin only accepting new first-time applications. In recent weeks HOST has received a significant increase in the volume of submitted applications. After further analysis and discussions with the State, it has been determined there is a need for Denver ERAP to stop accepting new applications and limiting the number of months of assistance that may be received.

Denver will continue processing recertification applications submitted prior to Nov. 1 and first-time applications submitted by Dec. 9.

While the federally funded rent assistance is soon expiring in Denver, assistance is available to residents facing a housing crisis through Denver’s locally-funded Temporary Rent and Utility Assistance program. Launched in 2017, TRUA providers renters and homeowners with rent and/or utility assistance. Residents can find information on TRUA at Denvergov.org/RentHelp and information on free eviction legal services at Denvergov.org/EvictionHelp.

The Department of Housing Stability committed to building a healthy, housed, and connected Denver. The department invests resources, creates policy, and partners to provide housing stability, resolve episodes of homelessness, and create housing opportunities. Visit denvergov.org/housing for more information.