By Angeline McCall/9NEWS

Denver’s emergency rental assistance program has come to an abrupt halt, leaving dozens of families empty-handed after expecting the funds to avoid facing eviction. The decision comes as the city of Denver grapples with budget constraints and reductions across city agencies. 

The Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP) received a stop-work order Thursday from the city’s Department of Housing Stability to cease distributing funds for Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance, also known as TRUA. The funds are available to individuals unable to pay their rent or facing eviction. Each month, the program opens up under a lottery system for applicants who are eligible. 

Sixty-seven households had been notified earlier this month that they would receive funding from TRUA through CEDP. They learned last week they would not be receiving those funds due to the city’s pause on the program. 

“To receive this immediate stop work order on Thursday has caused a lot of confusion and, frankly, a lot of hardship for the people who were already in the pipeline to receive support,” said Marissa Molina, Chief Policy and Communications Officer at the Community Economic Defense Project.

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