Denver Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) Program

Overview

TRUA is Denver's primary rental assistance program, designed to assist residents of the City and County of Denver who are facing a housing crisis or hardship. The program helps prevent eviction or displacement and provides time for locating alternative housing for longer-term stability. It is administered by the Denver Department of Housing Stability (HOST) and delivered through partner organizations like Brothers Redevelopment and Northeast Denver Housing Center.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Must be a Denver resident (City AND County of Denver)
  • Household income at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI)
  • Must be experiencing a current housing crisis or unable to pay rent/utilities
  • Must have a current Demand for Rent from landlord OR an active eviction case (FED) at time of application
  • The residence must be the applicant's primary residence in Denver
  • U.S. citizenship is not required; immigration status disclosure is not required
  • Households who received TRUA in 2025 are not eligible for TRUA in 2026

What's Covered

  • Rental assistance: Up to 6 months (one time within a 24-month period), including arrears, current month, and up to one month future rent
  • Utility assistance: Current and past-due bills from Denver Water and/or Xcel Energy (electric, gas); provided one time per utility within 24 months; only provided at the same time as rental assistance
  • Relocation assistance: Only when eviction cannot be prevented; may include security deposit, first month's rent, application fees, and other move-in costs

How to Apply

Standard Application

DPS Pilot Program (School-Based Referral)

Families with children enrolled in Denver Public Schools may be referred to TRUA directly through the school, bypassing the standard monthly lottery. See TRUA - DPS School Referral Pilot for full details.

  • Referrals are initiated by the school social worker or counselor
  • Exempt from the 24-hour application window and random selection process
  • Assistance may be provided on a month-to-month basis (different from standard lump-sum)
  • Contact your child's school counselor or the DPS Student Equity & Opportunity office to request a referral

Upcoming Application Windows

Date Status
May 11-13, 2026 State ERAP (see Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance (ERAP))
June 16, 2026 TRUA application portal opens

2026 Budget Context

  • TRUA budget for 2026: $12.2 million (down from $23 million in 2025)
  • Reduced due to expiration of pandemic-era federal funds (ARPA)
  • HOST is prioritizing households most likely to become unsheltered without intervention

Contact

HB-23-1120 Eviction Mediation Protections

If anyone in your household receives SSI, SSDI, or TANF cash assistance, you may qualify for pre-eviction mediation under Colorado law (HB-23-1120). Your landlord must offer mediation before filing an eviction — but you must notify them in writing that you receive these benefits, or you waive the right. See the Colorado Judicial Branch page for details, and contact denvermediation@brothersredevelopment.org or Colorado Housing Connects at 1-844-926-6632 to learn how to participate.

Notification templates: Word format | PDF format

Notes

Related Programs