Denver, Colorado, has cleared more than 9,000 eviction cases so far this year, and the city is on track to set a new record for evictions.
The Denver Post The city has reported a 32% increase in eviction filings compared to the same period last year, and the city’s Housing Stability Department is projecting more than 15,000 filings by the end of 2024. That projected number would be about 20% higher than the previous record set in 2023.
Across Colorado, Eviction filings up 10% Compared to the same period last year, there were over 25,000 applications as of Aug. 5.
“Housing prices in Colorado are so high that[many people]don’t have the income to comfortably pay rent,” Zach Newman, co-founder and executive director of the Community Economic Defense Project, told The Denver Post. “That means one $500 emergency — a flat tire or an unexpected medical bill — can suddenly put them in a position where they have to make tough choices or can’t pay rent at all.”
Colorado is seeing an overall increase in eviction filings. (Adobe Stock)
Rising rents push record number of Americans into housing crisis, calls for legislative action
November 2023, Colorado Governor Jared Polis A program setting aside $30 million for rental assistance was signed into law, but by June, the money had been spent in its entirety after benefiting about 8,000 people.
The state is expected to pump additional funding into rental assistance and potentially make the program permanent, but questions remain about how to properly administer the program.
“What’s so reprehensible about this situation and so difficult is that this has become such a big problem that you have to ask the question of whether the state’s budget can effectively handle all of these evictions,” Newman told The Denver Post. “Do we have the budget? Do we have the financial wherewithal?”
In comments to Fox News Digital, Newman called for more efforts by the state to combat rent hikes.
“High rents set by large corporate landlords put basic housing out of reach for working families. As our state works to create more affordable housing, we must fight for fair practices that ensure all Coloradans have access to safe, stable housing,” Newman said.
Denver could see a record number of evictions by the end of the year. (Fox News Digital/Lisa Benatan)
While some acknowledged that the program has helped people who faced eviction earlier this year, others suggested legislative efforts would be more helpful beyond simply providing rental assistance.
“Given the unstable economy, recent federal jobs reports, rising inflation and increased reliance on credit due to an inability to cover costs, it’s not surprising to see these challenges reflected in housing trends. Despite these pressures, rents have remained flat,” Destiny Bossert, government relations manager for the Colorado Apartment Association, told Fox News Digital.
“Instead of focusing solely on the number of evictions, we should urge lawmakers to address inflation, increase jobs, and make life more affordable. This can be accomplished by reducing bureaucracy and eliminating expensive government programs that don’t provide real benefits to people.”
DC landlord says tenant hasn’t paid rent for three years but tells them eviction still a long way to go: Report
Colorado groups have urged lawmakers to focus efforts on lowering rental costs. (iStock)
According to National Low Income Housing CoalitionColorado is the eighth most expensive state for affordable housing families, with fair market rental prices for a one-bedroom apartment at about $1,600 per month. It’s reported that workers making the $14 per hour minimum wage would have to work 85 hours a week to afford it.
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