jrios, Author at Colorado Housing Connects

At Brothers Redevelopment and Colorado Housing Connects, we know that financial assistance for rent and mortgages is more than just that — we are assisting livelihoods and creating housing stability for all Colorado residents.

Throughout this past year, we have issued record high amounts of financial assistance and helped maintain housing support for Colorado’s most vulnerable community members. This is thanks to strong partnerships with entities like the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and the City and County of Denver who have each trusted us to administer funds to help people stay housed.

Now we face a new challenge: helping Denver homeowners avoid foreclosure during a time of skyrocketing costs.

In partnership with the City and County of Denver, Brothers Redevelopment is pleased to announce that we are now administering funds for the City’s Foreclosure Financial Assistance Program. Designed for households at or below 80% Area Median Income, this program provides HOA/mortgage financial assistance for up to $20,000 per household.

Applications for the Denver Foreclosure Financial Assistance Program can be found in English and Spanish at https://brothersredevelopment.org/rental-assistance/. Households with technology or language barriers can contact Colorado Housing Connects at 1-844-926-6632 or by visiting coloradohousingconnects.org.

“We are thrilled to partner with the City and County of Denver to extend a helping hand to ensure that individuals can catch up on mortgage and HOA payments,” said Brothers Rental and Mortgage Assistance Manager Enrica Bustos-Creviston. “We’re committed to ensuring that no one faces the risk of losing their home and look forward to helping individuals and families regain their financial footing.”

Outside of financial requirements, Denver homeowners can qualify for the Denver Foreclosure Financial Assistance Program if they are the legal owner of the home and have a current financial or other housing crisis. Applicants must not have cash or assets on hand that is equal to or greater than the relief funds being requested as well.

In Denver, Brothers also offers financial assistance for rental and utility payments through the City of Denver’s Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance Program. And during the pandemic, we partnered with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to offer financial assistance for rent/mortgage payments through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and the Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program. Through these services, Brothers provided $8,650,140 in rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to Coloradans in 2022.

Those who are facing foreclosure can also speak with one of Colorado Housing Connects’ HUD-approved housing counselors who can help homeowners understand their options by visiting http://coloradohousingconnects.org/homeowners-i-need-help-avoiding-foreclosure/.

Brothers Redevelopment is bringing tenants and landlords together to resolve common lease disputes and to prevent evictions.

Qualifying Coloradans facing eviction are entitled to mandatory mediation at no cost, due to a bill passed by state lawmakers earlier this year. Colorado tenants facing eviction may qualify for mandatory mediation if they receive Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, or cash assistance through the Colorado Works Program. Tenants are required to notify their landlord if they receive related benefits. Some exceptions apply including for tenants living in a home where the landlord owns less than six units.

Brothers Redevelopment offers free tenant/landlord mediation services in Denver and Adams counties. Our Denver tenant-landlord mediation program serves for all manner of housing disputes, including maintenance issues, lease disputes, security deposit disagreements, and more. Meanwhile, our Adams County tenant-landlord mediation services focus on diverting parties away from court-sanctioned eviction proceedings and to work toward mutually agreed alternatives between renters and landlords — including rental assistance, payment plans, lease compliance, and other solutions.

Mediation is an effective, confidential tactic that can both protect housing for those facing eviction as well as save landlords time and money. Tenants who can benefit from our tenant-landlord mediation services include Coloradans concerned about paying rent, renters who are worried that rental assistance won’t come soon enough, and those who are experiencing lease disputes or violations. Landlords who can benefit from our mediation services include those concerned about the costs associated with filing and completing an eviction, unit vacancy, turnover expenses, and the price of providing mediation.

“Through Brothers Redevelopment’s tenant-landlord mediation services, we are not just resolving disputes; we are fostering understanding and collaboration. Our aim is to bring tenants and landlords together, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for shared solutions,” said Colorado Housing Connects Program Director Patrick Noonan. “The recent legislation supporting mandatory mediation for qualifying Coloradans is a major change to the eviction process, and it’s critical tenants and landlords alike understand what this means. We believe in the power of mediation—confidential, effective, and transformative—to reach solutions that can de-escalate an eviction or housing conflict.”

Eviction filings have surged in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The Denver Post reported that more than 9,200 Denver households have faced an eviction filing already this year — higher than the entirety of last year. The city is on track for more than 12,000 filings by the end of the year, the most since at least 2008.

Renters facing eviction, or landlords interested in learning more, should reach out to Colorado Housing Connects (1-844-926-6632) to speak to one of our navigators who will help walk them through resources as it relates to rental assistance and opportunities to participate in free tenant-landlord mediation.

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Brothers Redevelopment/City of Denver offering Foreclosure Financial Assistance Program

Brothers Redevelopment Tenant-Landlord Mediation: Resolving Conflicts and Preventing Evictions