AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Everyone deserves to live in a safe and affordable home, no exceptions.
OUR NORTH STAR
Home. The place where we lay our heads, hug our loved ones, make our memories regardless of what we look like or how much is in our wallets.
But today, this most basic of human needs — shelter — is put out of our reach by a system that repeatedly rewards the wealthiest corporations at the expense of ordinary people like you and me. A handful of eviction attorneys and corporate landlords are contributing to legislative campaigns to buy themselves protections while repeatedly increasing rents, evicting families, and giving all landlords a bad name.
We must come together to rewrite laws to protect us, keep a roof over our heads, and create an environment where our rent is reasonable and housing options are plentiful. We make the way for a better future.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING CAMPAIGNS
Suppressing Court Records of Eviction Proceedings (HB20-1009):
Signed and goes into effect on Dec 1, 2020!
Fees Charged to Tenants by Landlords (HB20-1141):
Postponed indefinitely in House Business Affairs and Labor Committee
Mobile Home Park Act Updates (HB20-1196):
Passed!
Mobile Home Park Residents Opportunity to Purchase (HB20-1201):
Passed!
Prohibit Housing Discrimination Source of Income (HB20-1332):
Passed!; amended from 3 units to “NO MORE THAN FIVE TOTAL RENTAL UNITS INCLUDING ANY SINGLE FAMILY HOMES”
Local Government Authority Promote Affordable Housing Units (HB20-1351):
Postponed indefinitely in House Transportation & Local Government Committee; inclusive zoning (Telluride) bill
Funding for Eviction Legal Defense Fund (HB20-1405):
Postponed indefinitely in House Finance Committee; would have increased eviction filing fee by $30 to fund the Eviction Legal Defense Fund (currently funded through the General Fund)
Residential Landlord Rental Application Fees (HB19-1106):
A landlord may not charge a prospective tenant a rental application fee unless the landlord uses the entire amount of the fee to cover the landlord’s costs in processing the rental application. A landlord also may not charge a prospective tenant a rental application fee that is in a different amount than a rental application fee charged to another prospective tenant who applies to rent the property.
Landlord Tenant Warranty of Habitability (HB19-1170):
Under current law, a warranty is implied into every rental agreement. The bill makes the following changes: expands written notices to include electronic notices; expands jurisdiction to county courts and small claims courts; adds absence of mold to the basic requirements for a habitable residence; and tenants can deduct costs of repairs from subsequent rent if certain conditions are met.
Mobile Home Park Act Oversight (HB19-1309):
Colorado and local governments can now enforce law to prevent and stop: wrongful evictions, invasions of privacy, harassment, rules that are unfair and capricious, and other violations of the Mobile Home Park Act. HB19-1309 extends the time between the notice of
nonpayment of rent and the termination of any tenancy and extends the time a mobile home owner has to vacate a mobile home park after a court enters an eviction order.
Eviction Legal Defense Fund (SB19-180):
Low-income tenants who are facing a possible eviction are typically unable to access legal assistance. This major shortcoming in our
legal process contributes to cycles of poverty throughout the state of Colorado. This bill appropriates $900,000 to fund legal resources for low-income Coloradans who are facing an eviction.
OTHER WORK
CLIMATE JUSTICE
The earth is sacred. We must live in balance with all of creation, using only what we need, and recognizing that there is enough for all.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
We desire a merciful, rehabilitative justice system that maintains the hope and human dignity of every person.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
We desire a moral and communal economy based on the infinite value of human beings, not material objects.