Senate Approves Bill to Support Renters and Reduce Evictions

HB23B-1001 would provide $30 million in additional funding to existing rental assistance programs

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senators Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, and Janet Buckner, D-Aurora, that would boost rental assistance and prevent evictions cleared the Senate today.

HB23B-1001 would allocate $30 million for rental assistance through the existing Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) administered by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), increasing the statewide assistance to a total of $65 million, which includes $35 million from previously allocated federal funds. Under the bill, the program would serve individuals who are residential tenants living in Colorado, have a household income less than 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) and are at risk of eviction or displacement.

“The housing crisis is impacting us all, and we must utilize every opportunity to help out hardworking renters," said Gonzales. “We hear Coloradans loud and clear: we love our state, but the rising cost of living and housing is making it hard for working folks to get by — both for homeowners and renters. My bill directs $30 million in rental assistance to keep Coloradans housed and provides responsible relief to support Coloradans who need it most.”

“Renters in my district are struggling to keep up with the high cost of living and continual rent increases,” Buckner said. “Allocating additional funding for proven successful rental assistance programs means more Coloradans will stay housed. While we continue to work on long term solutions to lower housing costs and reduce evictions, this is a critical way we can get immediate relief directly to the families that need it most.”

Under ERAP, tenants who apply through DOLA are then connected to a nonprofit partner within their area that can provide direct assistance. Rental assistance dollars may be used to pay for: overdue past rent, rent presently owed, up to two months of future rent, utility bills, late fees, costs associated with preventing an eviction such as court costs and reasonable attorney fees, and relocation costs like security deposits if a tenant has already been evicted.

HB23B-1001 now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature. Track the bill’s progress HERE.