Colorado REALTORS® Continue to Respond to COVID-19 Housing Emergency

Colorado Association of REALTORS® Foundation Awards Grants Totaling $125,000 to 11 Colorado Non-Profits in June, in addition to $125,000 granted in May

The ongoing economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic has left many Coloradans unable to make rent and mortgage payments due to layoffs and furloughs. In light of this unprecedented emergency, the Colorado Association of REALTORS® Foundation announced on June 19, 2020 it is awarding additional grants totaling $125,000 to 11 Colorado non-profit organizations to assist individuals and families experiencing housing-related emergencies as well as aid in the construction of affordable housing units. The Foundation will offer another grant cycle opportunity from July 13, 2020 to Aug. 31, 2020, with an additional $100,000 invested across Colorado by Sept. 15, 2020

The most recent grant recipients include:

• Advocates for Victims of Assault – Summit Advocates (Frisco) – $12,500
• Archway Housing (Lakewood) – $7,000
• Chaffee Housing Trust (Buena Vista) – $10,000
• Grand Junction Housing Authority (Grand Junction) – $12,000
• Greccio Housing (Colorado Springs) – $10,000
• Mercy Housing (Denver) – $15,000
• Project Hope of Gunnison Valley (Gunnison) – $7,250
• Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation (Arvada) – $13,750
• Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (Boulder) – $7,500
• Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation (Denver) – $10,000
• Veterans Community Project (Longmont) – $20,000

Advocates for Victims of Assault – Summit Advocatessupports survivors and their dependent children by providing the only emergency shelter in Summit County, CO and by assisting survivors and their dependent children in applying for and obtaining long-term, safe and affordable housing in the community.  Through its Living Beyond Violence Program, the CAR Foundation grant will assist with move-in expense assistance and rent subsidies for survivors and their dependent children.

Archway Housing offers quality affordable housing with tailored services and resources to enhance the social and economic well-being of families. CAR Foundation funds will be used to provide rental assistance to up to 140 households and prevent eviction for up to 60 households.

Chaffee Housing Trusttargets households earning less than 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).  The average AMI of current CHT homeowners is 67 percent and the average CHT renter AMI is 50 percent. By providing local workers with housing, CHT bring stability and equity building none existed.  The grant will be used to purchase a 17,000 sq. ft. lot in a new development with the capacity to build eight condominium homes exclusively for low-income county residents and workers.

Grand Junction Housing Authority provides housing to vulnerable people in the community by providing security deposits to households that have been approved for affordable housing but lack the funds for security deposits due to COVID-19 circumstances. For the remainder of 2020, GJHA estimates 65 households will need security deposit assistance, which averages $1,000, and is not available from other sources. The funding from the CAR Foundation will assist 12 households this year.

Greccio Housing provides an Eviction Prevention Program to prevent the threat of homelessness or eviction to individuals and families who are experiencing a one-time major life crisis.  The funds from the CAR Foundation will be used to fund direct assistance for 10 families enrolled in the program to fulfill its mission.

Mercy Housing has halted evictions, stopped late fees, and is creating payment plans for those whose income is affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.  CAR Foundation funds will be used for rental assistance in to support COVID-19 financial hardships, such as loss of employment, COVID illness, or childcare loss.

Project Hope of Gunnison Valley supports, educate, and provide confidential advocacy to individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or human trafficking.  The CAR Foundation grant will provide transitional housing and rental assistance.

Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation improves the quality of life for families, sick children, and infants. The funds from the CAR Foundation will provide rent and mortgage assistance to families with a pediatric patient, in the Rocky Mountain region, who are experiencing a financial burden that is compromising their ability to pay non-medical expenses. 

Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence has been supporting individuals and families who are experiencing domestic violence for 41 years. Funds from the CAR Foundation will help SPAN continue to provide direct financial assistance for rent.

Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation supports patients who are facing dire financial circumstances, many of whom were struggling prior to receiving their cancer diagnosis and have no capacity to meet this added expense. Funds from the CAR Foundation will provide $500 grants for 20 patients throughout the entire state of Colorado.

Veterans Community Project is an innovative housing program dedicated to ending Veteran homelessness through tiny home veterans’ villages and community and outreach centers that offer housing stability and wraparound services to all veterans who walk through the door.  Funding from the CAR Foundation will be used to co-sponsor a tiny home in the VCP Village – Colorado.

Additional Grants Available in July

The CAR Foundation will offer a second grant cycle from July 13, 2020 to Aug. 31, 2020, with an additional $100,000 that will be invested across Colorado by Sept. 15, 2020.  Non-profit organizations that provide housing-related services are encouraged to apply.  Grant Guidelines and Acceptance Conditions can be found on the CAR Foundation website at http://carfoundation.org/. 

Contact Stacey Brown, sbrown@coloradorealtors.com or 303-785-7126, with questions regarding submissions.

Additionally, in May 2020 the CAR Foundation awarded $125,000 in disaster relief grants to three Colorado non-profit organizations: Brother’s Redevelopment, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, and Habitat for Humanity of Colorado.