Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance

This purpose of this program is to assist residents experiencing financial hardship (as defined below) impacting their ability to remain housed, or if homeless, to access housing. The intent of providing these funds is to prevent individuals and families from experiencing homelessness and the resultant public costs that come with addressing the issues associated with homelessness.

City of Commerce City residents renting, homeowners, or unhoused individuals or families whose income is at or below 80% of the area median income. All household income from all household members 18 and older must be included in the calculation.

Funds may be used to pay mortgage, rent, past due utilities (no more than two months) impacting tenancy status, or taxes when not included in mortgage and if mortgage is current. The Director of Community Development will approve all tax payments. For Homeless Assistance, funds may be used for deposits, first month’s rent, emergency short-term rent for persons enrolled in Community Well Being programs, or for vehicle repair when it is documented that the vehicle is the only residence. This will require that the applicant sign an affidavit affirming that the vehicle is the only residence and confirmation by the Community Well Being Team.

All payments will be made directly to landlords, mortgage companies, or utility companies. Auto repair payments will be made to the repair shop upon presentation of an invoice. No payments will be made directly to applicants or their family members. Tax payments will be made to Adams County.

No applicant (individual or family) may receive assistance for more than two months in a calendar year, nor more often than once every six months. If an applicant requests assistance for a second time within one 12-month period they must participate in a financial literacy program. Payments on behalf of any household, will not exceed $8,000 in a 12-month period. Individuals may apply for additional financial assistance beyond two-months due to extenuating circumstances through a waiver. These cases will be determined by the City on a case-by-case basis. Any individual or organization receiving payments must provide a complete W-9 to the city.

For vehicle repair assistance, no applicant (individual or family) may receive assistance for more than

$2,500, or the Kelly Blue Book value of the vehicle, whichever is lower. Individuals that receive assistance for vehicle repair will not be eligible for additional housing, mortgage, utility, or vehicle repair assistance for a 12-month period.

• Completed application form
• Any demand letter or court documents
• All pages of current lease agreement – most recent/current version
• Photo ID for every household member 18+
• Documentation of zero income through supporting documentation such as other benefits received. If no other documentation exists, then provide information to justify why that information is not available.
• Proof of income documentation such as:
  • Pay stubs
  • Tax returns
  • Bank statements
  • Payments from other benefits programs
• Evidence of rent/mortgage/utility/taxes due:
  • Tenant rent ledger
  • Mortgage statements
  • Foreclosure notice
  • Updated utility bills
  • Property tax notice

Hardship: A hardship to qualify for these funds includes one or more of the following:

• Loss of job. Provide copy of termination letter.
• Sudden medical issue for applicant or family member that results in a loss of income for more than 30 days. Provide copy of medical bills.
• Increase in property taxes of more than 25% in any tax year (if not paid with mortgage) and proof that no income is available for payment of taxes and failure to pay will result in foreclosure.
• Death of a spouse, domestic partner, or dependent. Provide copy of Death Certificate.
• Fleeing domestic abuse. Provide copy of protection order.

Prioritization: Priority will be given to applicants having a court summons or demand notice for eviction, unemployed persons in the household who have not been employed for 90 days, or those with household incomes less than 50% AMI. Priority will also be given to families with minor children.

Checklist: The program administrator will develop or utilize a previously developed checklist to track and ensure file documentation is complete and that two people complete the final document review. The checklist will be initialed/signed and dated either in ink or electronically by both reviewers to indicate the file is complete and the applicant qualified. The checklist will be consulted when documenting reasons for any missing documentation and any additional information about the client. The checklist shall be maintained with all file materials in the case file.

Any applicant denied assistance may file an appeal to the Department of Community Development. The Director shall make a decision within 7 days and all decisions of the Director are final. To file an appeal the applicant must submit a letter in writing detailing the reasons the denial should be reversed.

Six months after the award of funds, the Community Well Being Division will contact the customer to receive feedback on the program and to determine if additional assistance is needed.