10 pool funds, help renters facing crises

Ten Denver City Council members on Thursday took the unusual step of pooling money to help launch a new housing program — one that had faced resistance from Mayor Michael Hancock.

The council members say they will use the $123,600 raised to work with a nonprofit called Colorado Legal Services to start a pilot program providing lawyers for low-income renters to fight evictions. The money comes mostly from their 2017 year-end office budget balances, plus a personal contribution from one member.

President Albus Brooks, Councilwoman Robin Kniech and other participating members announced their plan during the council’s annual policy planning and budget retreat.

“The services are expected to become available in March/April of 2018,” said a statement announcing the pilot program. “Pending positive outcomes, funding to expand and continue the program was among priorities councilmembers advanced” on Thursday.

As part of the city’s affordable housing strategy, the Hancock administration in the fall started a mediation program for tenants and landlords as well as a temporary financial assistance program to help renters facing crises such as a steep rent hike or eviction.

But some council members, citing local research estimating that 1 to 3 percent of tenants have legal representation in eviction proceedings involving major landlords, have pushed for the city to spend money on legal defense, as some other cities have done.

Hancock so far hasn’t signed on. In a recent interview, he said he saw a need for more discussion about the appropriate use of taxpayer money and the sustainability of such a program. A spokeswoman said Friday that Hancock considered the idea worth exploring.

Many of the details of the council-backed program are still being worked out. The statement says the nonprofit CLS often turns away many low-income renters because of limited resources.

Others on the 13-member council who pledged money from their office budgets were Paul Kashmann, Wayne New, Paul López, Debbie Ortega, Stacie Gilmore, Mary Beth Susman and Rafael Espinoza. Kendra Black made a personal contribution of $500.