A resolution approving a proposed Amendatory Agreement between the City and County of Denver and The Community Firm to administer the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance program through financial assistance and/or housing stability services. Amends an agreement with The Community Firm (TCF) (DBA The Community Economic Defense Project) by adding $1,299,685.00 in Affordable Housing Funds, $950,000.00 in General Funds and $1,450,000.00 in ARPA Interest funds for a new total of $13,893,442.00 and adding twelve months for a new end date of 12-31-2026 to administer the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) program through financial assistance and/or housing stability services, citywide (HOST-202476925/HOST-202582326-01). The last regularly scheduled Council meeting within the 30-day review period is on 1-5-2026. The Committee approved filing this item at its meeting on 12-2-2025.

This resolution approves an amendatory agreement with The Community Firm (TCF) (DBA The Community Economic Defense Project) to continue administering the Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) program citywide. The agreement adds $3,699,685.00 in new funding, comprising $1,299,685.00 from Affordable Housing Funds, $950,000.00 from General Funds, and $1,450,000.00 from ARPA Interest funds. This increases the total contract amount to $13,893,442.00 and extends the contract term by 12 months, with a new end date of December 31, 2026.

TCF will provide financial assistance for rent (up to 6 months, non-consecutive), one-time utility assistance (for Denver Water and Xcel Energy), and relocation expenses (security deposit, first month's rent) to eligible households. The program also offers eviction clinic navigation and general housing resource navigation. Services are for Denver residents earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) who are experiencing financial hardship and at risk of involuntary displacement.

For 2026, the program anticipates serving 600 households with direct rental/utility assistance, 1,500 households through eviction clinic navigation, and 500 households with resource navigation. Initial research with Harvard's The People Lab suggests TRUA may reduce evictions and homelessness.

This program provides critical financial assistance for rent and utilities, along with housing stability services, directly helping low- and moderate-income Denver residents avoid eviction and maintain stable housing. It offers support for those facing financial hardship, including assistance with relocation expenses and navigation through the eviction process, thereby reducing homelessness and housing insecurity.

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