The Colorado Landlord Legislative Coalition is here representing single-family and small multi-family landlords both individually as self-managing owners as well as Property Management companies. This subset of Landlords typically own 1-3 rental properties and thus do not have the capital to sustain months without rent.
An important consideration of our members and the tenants we serve is to ask for clarification as well as confirmation that landlords can indeed request assistance on behalf of our owners/tenants per section 1.7 (II) of HB 20-1410. In addition, under HB 1410 there exist reporting requirements for metrics around rental assistance. Are these metrics available? And may we obtain a copy of these reports? We, the CLLC, would welcome the opportunity to work with you on such reporting as it is important to analyze the success of the program.
It is also our position and our suggestion that the legislation either direct or the sponsors work with the Department, to ensure funds distributed are made available as easily and efficiently as possible to those in need as defined by tenants as well as landlords without mortgages, who are often retirees that count on the rental income. We would welcome any information about how the process is currently working. As a new organization, please keep in mind we also stand ready to work with the sponsors, this committee, and the Department to be at the table as a resource about the process for distributing such assistance.
As a point of clarification, noting the speed of these policies from executive orders on evictions, the process around HB 20-1410, and the expedited review of this legislation that began for this group just yesterday, we are seeking clarifications for our members about how current funds are being disbursed. The CLLC would propose the distribution of funds allocated for tenant rent to go directly to landlords to ensure housing is not lost.
It is of the utmost importance to our Members that Tenants AND LANDLORDS that require rental assistance be able to receive that relief as quickly as possible so they can prioritize expenses, specifically, being able to allocate funds for their shelter. It is also our position that those affected by COVID-19 either by their loss of employment or by their loss of income have fair and equitable access to the funds being allocated as emergency COVID-19 relief. I am prepared to discuss our concerns in more detail should there be any questions from the committee.
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