Housing
The Clear Creek County Housing Department provides information and resources to assist in meeting the housing needs of the community. The Housing Department also strives to address systemic housing issues in Clear Creek County by developing plans for new housing and improving existing housing.
The Housing Department, established in 2017, initiated the Clear Creek County Housing Authority which provided a governmental mechanism to meet the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) requirements for Riverbend Apartments in Idaho Springs.
The DOLA/Emergency Rental (and Mortgage) Assistance Program provided funds that the Housing Department used, in partnership with the Grand Foundation, to help mitigate many COVID-19 housing issues by funding a COVID-19 Rental Assistance program; now retired (as of 09/30/2022).
RESOURCES
Housing Coordinator Consultation: Via phone or email, a Housing Coordinator consultation can point you in the right direction and help you identify the right resources for you. While we cannot offer legal advice, we can help you find the best resource. The County Housing Coordinator, Sally Rush may be reached by email at srush@clearcreekcounty.us, or by phone at 303-679-4218 or 720-361-9725 for mobile for a consultation.
Reach out for a Housing Coordinator Consultation if you have general questions on:
- Landlord/Tenant issues
- Home ownership topics
- Mobile Home Parks
- Resident Resources
- Preservation/Renovation/Weatherization programs
- Legal & advisory organizations available to community.
- Education classes on housing topics
- Rental Assistance
DEVELOPERS
- Strategic and Community Planning: The Housing Department is a function of the Strategic and Community Planning Division. Strategic & Community Planning is a division focused on residents and resources and community strength. Clear Creek County is focused on supporting permanent affordable Housing that strengthens community and improves the quality of life for all residents. For housing development inquiries contact Strategic and Community Planning Division Director, Amy Saxton, at asaxton@clearcreekcounty.us or 720-679-4238. For more information about Strategic and Community Planning, click here.
LANDLORD OR TENANT LEGAL DISPUTES
• Colorado Legal Services (CLS): CLS provides Legal help for low-income Coloradans seeking assistance with civil legal needs. If a resident is experiencing legal issues, it is advisable to start with a Housing Coordinator Consultation (see above), however CLS is able to assist with a variety of landlord or tenant legal disputes. CLS may be contacted by phone at 1-800-521-6968. For more information about Colorado Legal Services, click here.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING & RENTAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
• Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program: The Section 8 Rental Assistance Program is a federally subsidized program for existing rental housing that permits qualified families to obtain housing at a rent that they can afford. Grand County Housing Authority administers the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program in Clear Creek, Grand, Jackson, Gilpin, Routt and Summit counties. Sheena Darland, the Grand County Section 8 Operations Manager, may be reached via phone Monday through Friday between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at (970) 725-3070. For more information about the Section 8 HCV program, click here.
• Colorado Housing Connects: Colorado Housing Connects is a Denver-based nonprofit that provides Mortgage & Rental Assistance available to many homeowners and renters in need. This program is done in partnership with CO Department of Local Affairs and Brothers Redevelopment Inc. Brothers Redevelopment may be reached by phone Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm at 844-926-6632 or by email at info@brothersredevelopment.org. For more information about Colorado Housing Connects, click here.
• 211 Colorado: 211 Colorado is a confidential and multilingual service connecting people with vital resources across the State. 211 Colorado may be reached by phone at 211 or by email at 211colorado@unitedwaydenver.org. For more information about 211 Colorado, click here.
WEATHERIZATION AND HOME IMPROVEMENTAND HEATING ASSISTANCE RESOURCES
• Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC): EOC offers many resources including a bill payment assistance provides emergency financial assistance with past-due energy bills for income-qualified residents across the state throughout the year. Clear Creek County Human Services may assist with the application, which does not require income verification, but will require that applicants bring utility bills. Firewood and energy efficiency upgrades may also be available. For more information about Energy Outreach Colorado, click here.
• Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP): LEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible hard-working Colorado families, seniors and individuals pay a portion of their winter home heating costs. Applications open on November 1st and County Human Services personnel are available to assist with the application process. A driver’s license or similar state-sponsored identification is necessary for the application. For more information about LEAP, click here.
• Northwest Colorado Council of Government (NWCCOG): NWCCOG provides weatherization and energy efficiency assistance through Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy Program (CARE) programs. These programs can help property owners or renters get assistance with weatherization and energy efficiency upgrades. Current LEAP participants may automatically qualify for the WAP and CARE program, which can assist them to have warmer homes and lower energy bills. NWCCOG may be contacted by phone at (970) 468-0295 or by email at office@nwccog.org. For more information about NWCCOG, click here.
GENERAL ASSISTANCE, HUNGER OR HOUSELESSNESS PREVENTION
• Clear Creek Community Human Services Department: The Department of Humans Services' mission is to assist eligible clients in securing core needs, such as shelter, food, and health care, while working toward self-sufficiency, independence, and safe family surroundings. The Department of Human Services can help residents navigate services and can assist with the application processes for many services. Human Services may be contacted by phone at (303) 670-7550 or in-person at 1969 Miner Street. For more information about the Human Services Department, click here.
• Evergreen Shelter Program (Echo): The mission of the Evergreen Shelter Program is to provide shelter, a hot meal, and compassionate interaction to individuals and families experiencing homelessness on cold weather nights when the temperature is below 32 degrees. EChO is able to offer this program through partnerships with Evergreen-area faith organizations and community volunteers. EChO may be reached by phone at (303) 670-1796. For more information about EChO, click here.
• Jefferson Center for Mental Health (JCMH): JCMH offers programs and services to foster recovery and resilience in children, adults and families struggling with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. In addition to these services, JCMH also assists with navigating housing services. For more information about the Jefferson Center for Mental Health, click here.
• Volunteers of America (VoA): Volunteers of America is one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive human services organizations, working with approximately 1.5 million people annually. These services include a number oriented around affordable housing and resources for persons experiencing houselessness. VoA may be reached by phone at (720) 300-3704. For more information about Volunteers of America, click here.
SANITATION AND WATER ISSUES
• Clear Creek County Environmental Health Department: The Environmental Health Department helps protect Clear Creek County's public health and environment by preventing and addressing safety hazards. The Environmental Health Department provides a number of services including septic inspections, septic use permitting, water quality testing, air quality testing, zoonotic disease prevention (rabies, plague, etc.), and communicable disease prevention. The Environmental Health Department may be contacted by phone at (303) 679-2428 or by email at EH@clearcreekcounty.us. For more information about Clear Creek County Environmental Health, click here.
• Colorado Department of Water Resources: The Colorado Department of Water Resources provides a variety of services for persons with wells or looking to build wells including well permitting, metering, and well inspections. For more information about the Colorado Department of Water Resources, click here.