In response to the COVID-19, APCHA has partnered with the Town of Snowmass Village Housing Department and the Pitkin County Human Services department to provide support to those who have experienced additional financial hardship caused by closures and layoffs due to COVID-19.

APCHA may suspend all or a part of the 1500-hour minimum full-time work requirement for requalifying tenants who are under 1500 hours of employment and can prove that their loss of employment was due to COVID-19. Read more about the full requirements in the full guidance and resource document.

APCHA COVID-19 Guidance

For APCHA Tenants: 

The response plan also includes the following measures for tenants:

• The waving of late fees through June 30, 2020 for impacted COVID-19 renters. This policy will be reassessed in June.
• Allow impacted COVID-19 tenants to request a one-month deferral for April rent. Read more about this in the full guidance and resource document.
• Tenants who are in good standing are also able to request a termination of the lease by mutual agreement of the parties without penalty. Read more about this in the full guidance and resource document.

For APCHA Homeowners: 

• APCHA homeowners must continue to use and occupy their home as their primary residence and occupy the property at least nine months out of the calendar year unless they have an approved Leave of Absence.
• Leave of Absence (LOA) - If your employment status has changed due to COVID-19 and you must find work outside of Pitkin County, you must request a LOA in accordance with the Employee Housing Guidelines. Read more about this in the full guidance and resource document.

Evictions and Foreclosures: 

In accordance with Governor Jared Pollis’ Executive Order issued March 20, 2020, evictions and foreclosures will be suspended until April 30, 2020, for all APCHA homeowners and tenants.

• APCHA encourages all private property owners and landlords serving APCHA clients to follow and abide by the Governor’s Executive Order.
• According to the Governor’s Executive Order, nothing relieves a tenant of the obligation to pay rent, nor restrict a landlord’s ability to recover rent due, or otherwise comply with the public health and safety requirements or other legal requirements.
• Read more about this in the full guidance and resource document.
• Ver en español

Homeowner Assistance Programs

Local COVID-19 Information, Resources and Assistance

If you need assistance paying your monthly home expenses, apply for emergency assistance from Pitkin County Human Services online.

City of Aspen

On April 14, 2020, Aspen City Council approved Ordinance No. 5 (Series of 2020) amending the City’s 2020 budget to spend an additional $5.8 million in emergency appropriations in response to COVID-19. This is on top of the $200,000 the City Council approved on March 30 to provide financial relief to City of Aspen residents. The additional COVID-19 emergency appropriations include:

• $300,000 from the City of Aspen’s General Fund released to Pitkin County pursuant to the intergovernmental agreement entered by these governments for the purpose of providing financial relief to City of Aspen residents in the areas of housing, utility, food and childcare assistance under the existing Pitkin County qualification’s structure for relief.
• $3,000,000 from the City of Aspen’s General Fund towards reaching the City of Aspen COVID-19 relief effort outcomes, including a) immediate economic relief disbursement through the Aspen Community Foundation and/or government partners; and, b) distribution to Aspen area serving non-profits that provide legal aid and mental health services; and, c) community-at-large COVID-19 testing and personal protective equipment; and, d) rent assistance/loan to stabilize businesses and non-profits, including providing for a small business loan/stabilization program; and, e) additional communication and temporary city staffing needs to implement the adopted outcomes.
• $1,500,000 from the City of Aspen’s Housing Development Fund towards reaching the City of Aspen COVID-19 relief effort outcomes, including a) rent and mortgage assistance for deed-restricted housing units as qualified through Pitkin County Human Services; and, b) additional communication and temporary city staffing needs to implement the adopted outcomes.
• $1,000,000 from the City of Aspen Kids First Fund towards reaching the City of Aspen COVID-19 relief effort outcomes, including a) additional childcare financial aid; 984 b) aiding in retaining qualified childcare providers and staff in the community; and, c) additional communication and temporary city staffing needs to implement the adopted outcomes.

The specific amount provided to any program or programs and the restrictions and conditions of any specific disbursement shall be determined by the City Manager. APCHA will continue to update residents as more information becomes available from the City.

• Aspen County Community Foundation
• Pitkin County
• Holy Cross Energy will work with any member financially impacted by social distancing and COVID-19. They will work with you to pay what you can afford now and set up an interest-free payment plan for your remaining balance without impacting your credit standing. Please call (970) 945-5491

Colorado Housing Financial Assistance Programs

• 2-1-1 Colorado is a collaborative of eight organizations, hosting six call centers across the state to provide food, shelter and rent assistance to those who qualify. For more information, simply call 2-1-1.
• Colorado Emergency Child Care Collaborative will provide emergency childcare on a sliding scale to essential workers with children ages eight and under, including health care providers and staff, public safety officers, and those supporting at-risk populations.
• Colorado Department of Labor and Employment can provide unemployment benefits if you have lost your job because of the COVID-19 pandemic you might be eligible for unemployment benefits. 
• Colorado Department of Local Affairs (Division of Housing) offers rental assistance statewide through the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program. For more information, call 303-864-7810.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Colorado Resources mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture - Implements immediate measures to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by COVID-19.
• Colorado Housing Connects provides Coloradans with reliable and trustworthy access to information regarding affordable housing, housing assistance, tenant rights, and more.
• Comcast is increasing internet speeds for all customers and offering 60 days of free internet services to low-income families.
• Energy Outreach Colorado was established in 1989 and believes everyone deserves affordable access to the vital resources that power their homes. When everyone can afford and maintain their home, then they can focus on living, rather than merely surviving.
• Hunger Free Colorado has a Food Resource Hotline available for anyone who needs help locating food. Call 855-855-4626 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to find school meals, food pantries, and to get assistance with SNAP and WIC enrollment.
• LEAP Low Income Energy Assistance is a state program intended to assist with partial payment of home heating. For more information, call 1-866-432-8435.
• The Work-Share Program for Employers looking to avoid employee layoffs, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Work-Share Program allows eligible employees to work fewer hours and collect partial unemployment benefits.
• Supportive Housing Programs (SHP) provides an effective and efficient approach to offering funds for paying rent, providing low-income housing and various other supportive services to thousands of low- income Colorado families, senior citizens and vulnerable adults. Emergency rent and housing assistance is administered as a part of the federal government funded Shelter Plus Care programs as well as the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. For more information, call 303-864-7852.
• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a Food Assistance program in Colorado, formerly known as Food Stamps. Learn more about the program and apply.