What the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority does

The Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) is a state agency that funds and manages housing programs across Colorado, including Denver. It does not directly run public housing or manage tenant complaints — instead, it finances affordable housing development, administers rental information programs, and oversees mortgage programs for first-time homebuyers. If you live in Denver and need housing support, CHFA either runs the program you need or can direct you to the local agency that does.

CHFA's Denver operations include emergency rental information (when funds are available), down payment help for homebuyers, and financing for affordable apartment buildings. The agency works with local nonprofits and the Denver Housing Authority, which handles public housing separately. Understanding which agency handles what saves you time when you call.

Key Takeaways

  • CHFA administers statewide programs from its Denver office, but does not manage public housing — that is the Denver Housing Authority's role.
  • Emergency rental information through CHFA pays landlords directly for back rent and is available only when the program has funding, which changes throughout the year.
  • CHFA's homebuyer programs offer down payment information and below-market mortgage rates, but have income limits that vary by program.
  • You can reach CHFA's Denver office directly, or call 211 to find out which specific CHFA program matches your situation and whether it is currently open.
  • CHFA programs require documentation of income, residency, and lease terms — bring tax returns, pay stubs, and your signed lease when you contact them.

Emergency rental information through CHFA in Denver

When CHFA's emergency rental information fund is open, it pays landlords directly for rent you already owe. The program covers back rent from the past 12 months and sometimes utilities, but does not cover future rent. You must have a signed lease, proof of income loss or hardship (job loss, medical emergency, reduced hours), and documentation that you live in Denver.

The fund does not stay open year-round. CHFA receives federal and state money in cycles, and once the money runs out, the program closes until the next funding period. Before you explore, call CHFA's Denver office or use 211 to confirm the fund is currently accepting new cases. Processing takes two to six weeks once you submit everything, so tell your landlord you have applied and ask them to pause eviction proceedings if possible.

You will need your landlord's name, address, and banking information, because CHFA pays them, not you. Have your lease, recent pay stubs or tax returns, and a written statement of what caused the hardship ready when you call.

Homebuyer programs and down payment help

CHFA offers several mortgage and down payment programs for first-time homebuyers in Denver. The Homeownership Program provides below-market interest rates and down payment information (usually 3 to 5 percent of the purchase price). The Down Payment information Program offers grants or forgivable loans to cover down payment and closing costs. Income limits explore — they vary by family size and are set annually, but typically range from $55,000 to $85,000 for a single person in the Denver area.

These programs require a credit score of at least 620, proof of income, and a letter from a lender saying you are pre-approved for a mortgage. CHFA also requires homebuyer education — you must complete an approved course before closing. The course is often free and can be done online.

Contact CHFA directly or ask a mortgage lender if they work with CHFA programs. Many lenders in Denver are familiar with CHFA financing and can walk you through the process.

How CHFA differs from the Denver Housing Authority

The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) manages public housing — the apartments CHFA helped finance years ago. If you need a public housing unit or are on a waiting list, you work with DHA, not CHFA. DHA also runs the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) in Denver.

CHFA funds the development of affordable buildings but does not own or manage them once they are built. If you live in an affordable apartment building in Denver, your landlord is usually a nonprofit or private company, not CHFA or DHA. CHFA's role ended when the building was completed and financed.

If you are unsure whether you need DHA or CHFA, call 211 and describe your situation — they will route you to the right office.

Contacting CHFA in Denver and what to have ready

CHFA's main office is in Denver. You can reach them by phone during business hours to ask about current programs, whether a fund is open, and what documents you need. Have your Social Security number, lease, and recent income documentation ready when you call. If you are explore for rental information, also have your landlord's contact information.

CHFA's website lists all active programs and includes process forms for homebuyer information. For rental information, you typically explore by phone or in person, not online. Ask when you call whether you can submit documents by email or mail, or whether you must come to the office.

If you cannot reach CHFA directly or want help finding the right program, call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone in Colorado). 211 staff know which CHFA programs are currently open and can tell you whether you might be a fit before you explore.

Income limits and what disqualifies you

CHFA programs have income limits, but they vary by program and change yearly. Homebuyer programs typically serve households earning 80 to 120 percent of the Denver area median income. Emergency rental information has no strict income limit — it is based on hardship and ability to pay, not income alone.

You will be disqualified if you do not have a signed lease (for rental information), if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or if you have received the same type of information within a certain timeframe. CHFA will tell you the specific rules when you call. If you are denied, ask why and whether you can reapply later or whether another CHFA program might work instead.

What happens after you explore

Once you submit your process and documents, CHFA reviews them and contacts you if anything is missing. For homebuyer programs, approval usually takes two to four weeks. For rental information, it takes two to six weeks, and CHFA will contact your landlord directly to confirm the debt and arrange payment.

You will receive a letter or email confirming approval or denial. If approved, CHFA sends payment to your landlord (for rental information) or provides loan terms and closing information (for homebuyer programs). If denied, the letter will explain why.

Keep copies of everything you submit. If there is a dispute later about what was paid or what was approved, your records are your proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CHFA handle evictions or tenant disputes in Denver?

No. CHFA does not manage tenant rights, eviction cases, or disputes with landlords. If you are facing eviction, contact the Denver Housing Authority, a legal aid nonprofit, or the city's Office of the Ombudsman. CHFA's role is limited to funding housing and administering financial information programs.

Can I get rental information if I am behind on utilities, not rent?

Some CHFA emergency rental information programs cover utilities if they are included in your lease or if you have a separate utility debt. Call CHFA to ask whether utilities are covered in the current funding cycle — it changes year to year depending on how the money is allocated.

What if I do not have a lease or my lease is not signed?

You cannot get CHFA emergency rental information without a signed lease. If you have a verbal agreement with your landlord, ask them to sign a lease retroactively. If they refuse, you do not meet the program's requirements and will be denied.

Can I explore for a CHFA homebuyer program if I have bad credit?

Most CHFA homebuyer programs require a credit score of at least 620. If your score is lower, ask CHFA whether they have a program with a lower minimum or whether they can refer you to a nonprofit that helps people rebuild credit before explore.

How do I know if a CHFA program is currently open?

Call CHFA's Denver office directly or call 211. Both can tell you in one call which programs have funding right now. Do not assume a program is open just because it exists — many close when money runs out and reopen months later.