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DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Representatives Junie Joseph and Meg Froelich that would bolster housing protections for Coloradans who receive support through housing vouchers and other government housing subsidies. HB25-1240 passed by a vote of 37-22.
“Coloradans who receive housing vouchers and disability assistance are especially vulnerable to housing instability, and our bill would reduce barriers to housing for those who are the most vulnerable to homelessness,” said Rep. Junie Joseph, D-Boulder. “The rising cost of living has been tough on Coloradans, especially for the seniors, young families, and people with disabilities who rely on financial assistance. With this bill, we’re improving access to stable and affordable housing so all Coloradans can have a safe place to live, regardless of whether or not they live on a fixed income.”
“We’re strengthening the CARES Act to protect Coloradans from housing discrimination to keep Coloradans safely housed,” said Rep. Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “The 127,000 Coloradans who rely on anti-poverty assistance to afford housing are often survivors of domestic violence, people with disabilities, or marginalized communities. This legislation extends Colorado’s housing discrimination safeguards to reduce costly and traumatic evictions, protecting thousands of Colorado households from being denied housing opportunities due to rental assistance.”
HB25-1240 would add protections for Coloradans who receive housing subsidy support by making it an unfair housing practice for any landlord who fails to:
Make reasonable efforts to timely respond to requests for information and necessary documentation for a rental assistance application process, or
Cooperate with tenants and rental assistance administrators in good faith regarding applications, including by refusing to provide documents that are required by a state government agency, a local government agency, or other administrating entity to support the tenant’s application.
The bill would require a landlord who owns four or more units to comply with the eviction notice requirements under the CARES Act. Additionally, landlords would be required to reimburse tenants for the difference between rent paid and the fair rental value when a breach in the warrant of habitability is proved, regardless of if a tenant uses a housing subsidy. HB25-1240 would also direct the Division of Housing to compile and publish a list of resources for landlords, including helping determine if a landlord’s property is covered under the bill and outlining financial resources available to them.
Colorado Democrats passed a law in 2020 that prevents housing discrimination for Coloradans who receive government subsidies like housing assistance programs, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and veterans benefits.