Housing Gets a Boost

Colorado Legislature’s 2020 Special Session

On November 30, the Colorado legislature met for a three-day Special Session, passed ten COVID-19 relief bills, and spent $342M in coronavirus-related aid. This legislation provides some needed interim relief until federal relief becomes available. Lawmakers approved $57M in grants for restaurants, bars, caterers, fitness centers, and cultural, arts and entertainment venues. Restaurants and bars received a sales tax break through February and third-party delivery services can now have predatory fees limited by local governments. Grants totaling $45M were provided to help childcare facilities and neighborhood youth organizations remain open, and $20M to help the 66,000 school-aged kids who don’t have internet. Legislators transferred $100M into the state’s emergency relief fund for public health response.

For housing related assistance:

SB20B-002, Housing and Direct COVID Emergency Assistance

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb20b-002

· Directs $54M for emergency housing assistance (must be used by June 30, 2021);

· Transfers $5M to create the Emergency Direct Assistance Grant Program Fund to support those unable to access federal aid because of their immigration status; and

· Directs $1M to the Eviction Legal Defense Fund.

Housing assistance funds will be used to support the five statewide programs created or expanded with the federal Coronavirus Relief Funds:

· Property Owner Preservation (POP) program for landlords (https://cdola.colorado.gov/rental-mortgage-assistance);

· Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) for tenants and homeowners (https://cdola.colorado.gov/rental-mortgage-assistance);

· Left Behind Workers Fund (https://www.impactcharitable.org/fund-apply);

· Housing Counseling Assistance Program (https://cdola.colorado.gov/housing-counseling) through Colorado Housing Connects (https://coloradohousingconnects.org); and

· Youth Homelessness programs.

For utility assistance:

SB20B-003, Money for Energy Utility Bill Payment Assistance

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb20b-003

· Directs $5M to the nonprofit organization Energy Outreach Colorado (https://www.energyoutreach.org/) to help low-income people pay their utility bills.

For food assistance:

HB20-S1003, Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb20b-1003

· Directs $5M to the Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program.

Colorado Legislature 2020 Special Sessio

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