DENVER — As eviction filings continue to trend higher than ever before, more and more renters are turning to resources to help pay the rent.
Data from Denver County shows 2024 is on pace to become a record year for eviction filings. The previous highest number was in 2023, when 12,910 households faced eviction filings.
In January 2024 alone, Colorado saw 5,682 eviction filings. In Denver County, there were more than 1,500.
There's been a 21% increase in eviction filings this year compared to the same time last year.
Colorado Housing Connects holds eviction clinics at the Denver City and County Building. The program is part of nonprofit Brothers Redevelopment. During the first quarter of this year, they have seen a 117% increase in requests for rental assistance.
"This was not my situation five months ago. I had a really good paying job. Really great job," said Neema Andrew, a single mom who received a letter on her door about the court action. "You have savings, and they dwindle down. Then you just have to turn to your community and say, 'I need help.'"
Andrew turned to Colorado Housing Connects' eviction clinic, where attorneys and advocates help with legal advice and rental assistance.
"It’s a lot of people. And you know, the thing that gets me too is that they come in and they feel bad. They’re upset with themselves," said Christina Morales, a housing navigator with Colorado Housing Connects.
Morales faced eviction herself during the pandemic, leading her to take on a position to help others.
"When I was going through this, I wasn’t aware of anything. So I want to make sure that individuals are aware that there is help out there for them," Morales said.
Colorado Housing Connects began the clinics after judges shared their experiences with renters in the judicial system. Judges saw that there was financial assistance available and tenants were struggling to navigate the process.
Since pandemic-related relief ended, there has been a surge in requests for rental assistance, and for legal advice.
"It’s really a perfect storm," Colorado Housing Connects Program Director Pat Noonan said. "Rents have stayed high and have dramatically jumped over the last couple of years. Inflationary pressures have put a lot of challenges on families. Just trying to keep up with utilities and groceries. Colorado is a great place to live, but it comes with a lot of challenges too."
Since beginning the clinics, the nonprofit has served more than 1,000 households. Most days, at least 15 people come to the clinic for help.
"We are seeing evictions going up," Noonan said. "In many ways, we are stepping up more and more as an agency to try to meet that need."
So far this year, the group has helped 345 Denver households and distributed more than $2 million in rental assistance.
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