The city has partnered with Foothills Regional Housing to offer a new rent and mortgage payment assistance program for city residents living in Jefferson County.

Using federal funding provided through the CARES Act, the Westy RISE Above Housing Assistance program is intended to prevent evictions and keep individuals and families stably housed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is open to both homeowners and renters.

Assistance payments are available to cover current rent or mortgage payments, as well as delinquent payments dating back to March. Fees associated with late rent payments and homeowners’ association dues are also eligible.

• Apply on the Foothills Regional Housing web site at www.foothillsrh.org.

The program is also open to landlords and property managers applying on behalf of their tenants, and enables them to apply for all qualifying tenants and delinquent payments at once.

This innovative method will allow the program to provide assistance more efficiently, while achieving stable housing for tenants. It also helps property owners avoid foreclosure or other financial difficulty that could jeopardize the local housing stock.

Designed to be streamlined and easier to access than traditional rental assistance, the program has several basic requirements. Homeowners and tenants applying must:

• Be experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19
• Reside in Jefferson County in the city
• Have a household income at or below 120% of the area median income (approximately $84,000 per year for a single person, or $120,000 for a four-person household)

A similar program is available for city residents living in Adams County through Maiker Housing Partners. Residents and rental property owners may apply online at www.maikerhp.org.