Denver residents filled City Council chambers on Monday night, pressing Mayor Mike Johnston and council members to increase funding for the city’s Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance (TRUA) program. More than a quarter of the 39 speakers specifically called for a $10 million allocation for 2027, double the $4.5 million currently earmarked.
Current funding and recent cuts
TRUA, launched in 2017 under former Mayor Michael Hancock, has become a critical safety net for renters facing sudden loss of income. The city devoted $29.1 million to the program in 2024, but that figure fell to $15.1 million by 2026 as federal assistance dried up. The proposed $4.5 million in the draft 2027 budget would cover only the first half of the year, according to Mayor Johnston.
Voices from the community
Enrique del Castillo, a longtime Denver worker, testified that a medical condition forced him off his job and left him unable to pay rent. “Suddenly I was facing the possibility of losing everything I had worked for,” he said. “It’s demoralizing and depressing. That’s when TRUA helped me. The program paid my back rent … giving me some breathing room.”
Briana Johnson, director of eviction diversion at the Community Economic Defense Project, described long lines of applicants who missed the application window or were not selected. “Thousands of households are living paycheck to paycheck, just one unexpected expense from losing their housing,” Johnson warned. “That’s why I’m asking the whole Denver City Council to support adding additional funding to the TRUA program. We know that rental assistance can prevent families from losing their homes.”
Mayor’s response
Mayor Johnston acknowledged the community’s concerns but emphasized that the city has become more efficient in distributing TRUA funds. He argued that the program now targets households most in need rather than operating solely as a lottery. Johnston also noted that evictions have not risen despite the reduced budget, though they remain well above pre‑pandemic levels according to Denver County Court data.
The mayor said the $4.5 million would fund TRUA for the first half of 2027, with the possibility of a mid‑year request for additional money if a Harvard University study confirms the program’s effectiveness. “We will make a data‑driven decision once the evaluation is complete,” Johnston said.
What’s at stake
Advocates argue that without a firm budget commitment, many Denver families could fall through the cracks, leading to increased homelessness, car living, or couch‑surfing. They warn that cutting funding further would jeopardize the city’s ability to keep restaurants, small businesses, and neighborhoods vibrant.
Council members have not yet voted on the proposed increase. The hearing highlighted the tension between fiscal prudence and the moral imperative to protect working families—a balance that aligns with Denver’s tradition of community responsibility.
Next steps
The council is expected to consider the mayor’s budget proposal in the coming weeks. If approved, the city may still seek supplemental funding later in the year, contingent on the Harvard evaluation’s findings. Residents and advocacy groups plan to continue pressing for a permanent, adequately funded TRUA program to ensure that Denver’s working families can afford to stay in their homes.
Original reporting: Denverite — read the source article.
