Rent Assistance Purpose

This program is to help people who were directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19 and are facing housing instability due to economic impacts. Funding is limited and submitting an application is not a guarantee of assistance. Rent and utility assistance are listed first, keep reading for mortgage assistance. 

Eligibility Requirements

Important! As of March 13, 2023, the eligibility requirements for the Rent/Utility Assistance program have changed.

Effective immediately, the county's application portal will be limited to a capacity of 200 applications. Once the maximum number of applications have been received, the portal will temporarily close until those applications have been processed.

Arapahoe County rent assistance applications will be processed with the following priorities:

• Households that have received a summons from the Arapahoe County Court showing a date for an eviction hearing
• Households that are applying for the first time
• Households with income less than 50% of area median income
• All other households at risk of housing instability

Application Processing

To qualify for rent assistance, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You MUST meet income qualifications with income less than 80 percent of the area median income.
2. You MUST have proof of residency within Arapahoe County outside of the Aurora city limits.
3. You MUST be legally present in the United States
4. You MUST provide: 
   • Copies of IDs for everyone in the household, including children
   • Income verification for everyone in the household
   • Proof of Human Services Benefits such as SNAP, TANF or Medicaid may be substituted for proof of income
   • A self-attestation form IF you are unable to provide proof of income such as pay stub, award letter or proof of Human Services Benefits. Form is located in the electronic application packet linked below
   • Current eviction notice

To apply, please submit a completed application. 

If the link is not working, we are at capacity for applications. Feel free to email housingassistance@arapahoegov.com for more information or apply again later.

Applying for a Second Time?

Please note that repeat applications that do not meet the qualifications will not be considered. If you've applied before and received assistance, your second application will be considered based on funds available and the following:

• Households that have received a summons from the Arapahoe County Court showing a date for an eviction hearing
• Families with children, seniors, or disabled individuals
• Income must be less than 80% of area median income
• There must be a demonstrated reason for needing additional assistance
• You must be at risk of housing instability
• You may be requested to document working with Arapahoe/Douglas Works! if you do not have a disability or child care needs

If additional rent assistance is approved, the applicant will not qualify for any further rent assistance thereafter. 

To apply for a second time email housingassistance@arapahoegov.com or call 303-738-7891

Disqualifiers

• Please note that incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Please ensure that all required documentation is provided. Only complete applications will be provided with a confirmation email. 
• Applicants and property management must respond to inquiries within 10 calendar days to avoid application being closed and removed from the review process.
• Providing false or unverifiable documentation or information will result in a denied application and the applicant will not be permitted to reapply.

Disclaimer: Funding and assistance is not guaranteed, and disbursement is based on eligibility determination and availability of funding. Criteria for eligibility is subject to change. 

Mortgage Assistance

The Colorado Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (EMAP) provides financial assistance on behalf of income-eligible homeowners who have experienced a financial hardship associated with the COVID-19 health crisis. Households are eligible to receive EMAP assistance if they:

• Attest that they experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, 
• Provide income documentation and have household incomes equal to or less than 100% of the Area Median Income for their county
• Currently own and occupy a primary residence in Colorado, and 
• Their original loan was not a Jumbo loan at the time of purchase or most recent refinance

Visit the State's resource page and APPLY here.

Additional Resources

The Housing and Community Development team also can assist with referrals to other rental assistance programs, eviction resources, homeless prevention services and other general housing resources. For additional assistance and programs, please visit Arapahoe County Human Services pages. 

To search for the closest food banks, shelters, transportation options, medical facilities and more, visit ArapaSOURCE.