What CHFA Is and What It Actually Does

The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) is a state agency that funds and oversees housing programs across Colorado. It does not directly house people or run local programs — instead, it distributes money to local housing authorities, nonprofits, and lenders, and sets rules for how those programs work. If you are looking for rental help, a down payment loan, or a place on a waiting list, you will contact your local housing authority or a specific program CHFA funds, not CHFA itself.

CHFA operates several distinct programs. Some help renters in crisis. Others help people buy a first home. Some target people with disabilities or very low incomes. The program you need depends on your situation — your income, whether you rent or own, whether you need money now or are planning ahead. CHFA's role is to make sure the money gets to the right places and that programs follow state rules.

You can find out which CHFA-funded program serves your county and what it offers by calling CHFA's main line or visiting its website. CHFA staff can tell you whether a program is currently open and give you the contact information for the local agency that runs it. They cannot tell you whether you personally meet the rules — that is the local program's job.

Key Takeaways

  • CHFA is a state agency that funds local housing programs but does not run them directly; you contact your local housing authority or a specific program for actual help.
  • CHFA operates programs for emergency rent, down payment information, permanent supportive housing, and loans for people with disabilities, among others.
  • To find out which program serves your area and whether it is currently open, call CHFA's main office or check its website for your county.
  • Income limits, required documents, and wait times vary by program and by which local agency runs it in your area.
  • CHFA's phone line and website can point you to the right local contact, but the local program makes the actual decision about your case.

How CHFA Programs Are Organized by County

CHFA does not have one office per county. Instead, it contracts with local housing authorities, nonprofits, and government agencies to run programs in different regions. Denver, for example, has the Denver Housing Authority. Other counties may have a county housing authority, a nonprofit, or a combination. The same CHFA program may be run by different organizations in different places.

This matters because the local agency sets some of its own rules within CHFA's framework. One county's emergency rental fund might prioritize families with children; another might prioritize people facing eviction within 30 days. Income limits are usually set by CHFA, but processing times and wait lists are managed locally. Before you contact a program, you need to know which local agency runs it in your county.

CHFA's website has a directory organized by county. You can also call CHFA's main number and give them your county name; they will tell you which program serves you and provide the local contact. Some programs have their own phone lines and websites; others are reached only through the local housing authority.

The Main CHFA Programs and What They Cover

CHFA funds several programs with different purposes. Emergency rental information pays rent you already owe or upcoming rent if you have lost income recently. Down payment information helps first-time homebuyers cover the down payment and closing costs on a mortgage. Permanent supportive housing combines affordable housing with services for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of it. Disability funding provides loans and grants to people with disabilities who need to modify a home or buy one.

There is also the Colorado Housing Tax Credit, which funds the construction and preservation of affordable rental buildings. This program does not help individual renters directly; it creates units that are then rented at below-market rates. If you are looking for an affordable apartment, you would contact the building owner or property manager, not CHFA.

Each program has its own income limits, required documents, and timelines. A program that helps with emergency rent will not help with a down payment, and vice versa. CHFA's website lists all active programs and their basic rules. The local program that runs it in your area will have more detail and can tell you whether your situation fits.

How to Contact CHFA and Find Your Local Program

CHFA's main office is in Denver. You can reach it by phone at 303-297-2537 or through its website at chfainfo.org. When you call, have your county name ready. CHFA staff will tell you which programs serve your area, whether they are currently open, and how to contact the local agency that runs them.

If you know which program you need — for example, emergency rental help — you can ask CHFA for the specific contact. Some local programs have their own phone lines and websites; others require you to go through the county housing authority. CHFA can give you both the phone number and the mailing address if you prefer to explore by mail.

Response times vary. CHFA's main line may have a wait, especially during high-demand periods. If you are in crisis and need rent money urgently, ask CHFA whether the local program is currently accepting new cases. Many programs run out of funding and reopen later in the year. Knowing whether a program is open before you spend time gathering documents can save you time.

What Documents You Will Need

The documents required depend on which program you are contacting. For emergency rental information, you will typically need a signed lease, proof of income loss (such as a termination letter or recent pay stubs showing reduced hours), proof of your current income, and proof of the rent you owe or the upcoming rent due date. You may also need to show that you have tried other resources first.

For down payment information, you will need proof of income, a credit report (which the lender usually pulls), bank statements showing savings, and a pre-approval letter from a mortgage lender. For permanent supportive housing, the local program will tell you what documents are needed; it varies by program.

Do not gather everything before you call. Contact the local program first and ask what they need for your specific situation. Some programs have shorter document lists than others. Some accept documents by email; others require originals. Asking first prevents you from collecting the wrong papers.

Income Limits and How They Work

CHFA programs use area median income (AMI) to set income limits. AMI is calculated for each county and changes yearly. A program might serve households at 50 percent of AMI, 60 percent, or 80 percent, depending on the program. The higher the percentage, the more income you can have and still be served.

For example, if your county's AMI for a family of four is $100,000, a program serving 60 percent AMI would serve families earning up to $60,000 per year. Income limits are usually based on gross income before taxes. The local program will tell you the exact limit for your household size and the current year.

Income limits change every year because AMI changes. If you were turned down last year, you might now be within the limit. If you are close to the limit, ask the program whether they count certain income (such as child support or Social Security) or exclude certain expenses. Rules vary by program.

Wait Times and When Programs Close

Wait times depend on the program and how much money is available. Emergency rental information may be processed in two to six weeks if the fund is open and has money. Down payment information programs sometimes have waiting lists of several months. Permanent supportive housing often has a long wait because demand is high and units are limited.

Many CHFA programs run out of money partway through the year and reopen when new funding arrives. This is not unusual. If a program is closed when you call, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can be placed on a waiting list. Some programs will take your information and contact you when they reopen; others ask you to call back.

If you are in when ready crisis — facing eviction within days — tell the local program that when you contact them. Some programs have a small emergency fund or can prioritize cases with court dates. Being honest about your timeline helps the program direct you to the fastest option available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I call CHFA directly to get money for rent?

No. CHFA distributes money to local programs but does not process individual cases. You must contact the local housing authority or nonprofit that runs the program in your county. CHFA's role is to tell you which local program to call and whether it is currently open.

What if I do not know which county I live in or which program serves me?

Call CHFA at 303-297-2537 and give them your city name. They will tell you the county and which program serves it. You can also look up your city on CHFA's website to find the local contact. If you live on a county border, ask which program covers your specific address.

Do I have to be a Colorado resident to use a CHFA program?

Yes. CHFA programs are for people who live in Colorado. Some programs require you to have lived in the state for a certain amount of time; the local program will tell you the rule for the specific program you are contacting.

What happens if a program says I do not meet the income limit?

You can ask whether other CHFA programs have higher income limits. You can also ask the local program whether they have a waiting list or whether the limit changes next year. If you are just over the limit, ask whether certain income is excluded or whether household size affects the calculation.

Can I explore to multiple CHFA programs at the same time?

Yes. If you need emergency rent help and are also interested in down payment information, you can contact both programs. They are separate, so being turned down for one does not affect the other. However, some programs may count information from another CHFA program as a resource, so ask before you explore to multiple programs.