Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) is alerting the public about a text fraud scheme related to the State’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP).

After serving over 36,000 households, with over 70% of whom have 50% Area Median Income (AMI) or less, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) will no longer accept emergency rental assistance applications after 11:59 p.m. on November 15, 2022.

For the past 15 months, the State of Colorado has provided emergency rental assistance to more than 30,000 households. The goal of the program was to mitigate the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on people who were at an increased risk of losing their housing due to challenges with paying rent, as many people found their jobs eliminated or paused.

“Keeping Coloradans housed is one of the ultimate goals of the Department of Local Affairs. The Emergency Rental Assistance program has been a direct, fundamental benefit to Colorado families by enabling them to afford stable housing. We recognize that the inability to afford housing is a key contributor to the increase in homelessness in today's society, which is why programs like these remain crucial,” said Rick Garcia, Executive Director.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Division of Housing (DOH) as of September has paid over $168M in pandemic-related emergency rental assistance, and this summer issued a $50M notice of funding available for the acquisition of land and buildings for affordable housing in addition to approving $29.5M in developments and rehabilitation.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Division of Housing (DOH) has published a new website to simplify obtaining emergency rental assistance as well as upcoming homeowner relief, and awarded $6.025M through the Colorado State Housing Board (SHB) for affordable housing in June.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Division of Housing (DOH) now offers a direct online application for the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP), and awarded $1.2M through the Colorado State Housing Board (SHB) for affordable housing in January.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Division of Housing (DOH) has received $59M in State COVID-19 housing relief, $1.74M in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers (HUD-VASH) and awarded $6.41M through the Colorado State Housing Board (SHB) for affordable housing in November and December.

Up to $19.65M in federal CARES Act funding for emergency rental assistance is now available to property owners on behalf of their tenants through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Division of Housing (DOH). In addition, the division awarded $3.27M through the Colorado State Housing Board (SHB) for affordable housing in July.

Up to $19.65M in federal CARES Act funding for emergency rental assistance is now available to property owners on behalf of their tenants through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Division of Housing (DOH). In addition, the division awarded $3.27M through the Colorado State Housing Board (SHB) for affordable housing in July.