EVICTION DEFENSE Due to COVID-19, there is currently a Federal Eviction Moratorium (temporary ban) in place: Evictions based on late or unpaid rent are suspended through June 30th, 2021 under the Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions To Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19 issued by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This order requires tenants to complete a declaration of financial hardship and submit a copy to their landlord, as well as the court if already in eviction proceedings. Each adult listed on the lease, rental agreement, or housing contract should complete the declaration. It is a good idea to have proof that you submitted the declaration form to your landlord (attaching to an email, sending via certified mail, etc.) The declaration form is linked here: in English, in Spanish, or in Other Languages. The moratorium does not prevent landlords from starting eviction proceedings now, as long as the actual eviction occurs after June 30th. For more information, please read The COVID 19 Eviction Defense Project's A Colorado Tenant’s Guide to COVID- 19 (also here in Spanish). Please note: this guide does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. EVICTION RESOURCES The City of Denver's guide on how to handle an eviction notice includes an explanation of the process, a timeline of events, and a list of your rights. Get legal help if at all possible! Renters facing eviction are much more likely to be able to remain in their homes if they have legal assistance. Denver residents who receive an eviction notice should immediately contact the Office of Financial Empowerment and Protection by calling 720-944-2498 or emailing FEC@denvergov.org. They can direct you toward rental assistance, legal services, and other services available through local government agencies and nonprofits. The COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project provides free legal aid to tenants by pairing volunteer attorneys with tenants facing eviction and other housing issues specifically related to COVID-19 hardship in Colorado. Contact them if you are struggling to pay your rent, facing eviction,or need to talk to a lawyer. The Colorado Poverty Law Project connects low-income individuals with free legal services to fight evictions and housing injustice. In Denver County, residents may apply for Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) benefits to support rental and utility payments. More information can be found by calling 3-1-1. The State of Colorado offers emergency rent and mortgage assistance throughout the state through several non-profit organizations. They also offer a free housing counseling service to connect residents to local housing resources such as legal assistance to prevent a looming eviction. For more information on additional housing stability resources available throughout the Denver metro region, visit Mile High United Way or call 2-1-1. Please note: this guide does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. ABOUT US The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is the largest socialist organization in the United States, with over 80,000 members. We believe that working people should run both the economy and society democratically to meet human needs, not to make profits for a few. We are a political and activist organization, not a party. Through community-based chapters, DSA members use a variety of tactics, from legislative to direct action, to fight for working people. DSA Denver's Housing Justice Committee is working to create a city where housing is guaranteed for all. We want to decommodify housing and build tenant power. We launched our Stomp Out Slumlords (SOS) campaign in December 2018, organized eviction defense efforts, and are currently working on a ballot initiative - No Eviction Without Representation - that will guarantee free legal representation and rental assistance to individuals and families who are served a summons to eviction court. Want to help? Join us as we work to help build a better and more just world for all. Denver Democratic Socialists of America Housing Justice Committee (720) 627-7732 housing@denverdsa.org DenverDSA.org
Enter the password to open this PDF file:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-