Renters asked the Council for $10 million in eviction aid. Johnston wants to wait for a Harvard study
The mayor's 2027 budget puts $4.5 million into Denver's rental and utility assistance program, down from $15.1 million this year. Council members have until Nov. 2 to try to change that.
Monday night's public hearing on Denver's 2027 budget turned into a hearing on one program in particular: Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance, or TRUA, which helps people who are behind on rent avoid eviction.
Several people who had received TRUA help told the City Council not to cut it, the Denver Gazette reported. Many speakers asked for a total of $10 million next year, Denverite reported.
Why it matters: TRUA is one of the city's main tools to keep people housed. If you rent in Denver and fall behind, it is the program the city points you to.
The numbers
- 2026: Denver set aside $15.1 million for TRUA, according to the Gazette.
- 2027 proposal: Mayor Mike Johnston's budget includes $4.5 million, a cut of about 70%. The administration says that money would last through June and has not ruled out adding more later in the year, the Gazette reported.
- Earlier years: TRUA had nearly $30 million in 2023, Denver7 reported.
- The Council's ask: In its budget letter, the Council asked for $5.5 million more, which would bring the total to $10 million. Johnston said no for now. He plans to wait for a Harvard University evaluation of the program before deciding on the rest of the year, according to Denverite and the Gazette.
- The need: Denver had 15,953 eviction filings last year, more than double the city's five-year goal of 6,600, the Gazette reported, citing city figures. The nonprofit that administers TRUA told the Gazette the average household gets about $7,300.
What our records add
Where the $4.5 million goes. At the Sept. 24 budget hearing for the Department of Housing Stability, a Council member asked why the budget book showed $4.7 million for housing assistance. Staff said $4.5 million goes directly to the providers that hand out rental aid, and about $200,000 mostly pays for the software used to take applications and track data (video at 56:40).
It came up again the next morning. At the Finance and Business Committee on Tuesday, during a briefing on construction grants for small businesses, Council Member Amanda Sawyer pointed back to the hearing. She said the Council had heard from people about rental assistance the night before, and compared a small grant that keeps a business open to a small payment that keeps someone in their home (video at 1:20:45).
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Last year's attempt to move housing money failed by one vote. During the 2026 budget, an amendment to shift money to the Department of Housing Stability, 25-1746, failed 6-7 on Nov. 3, 2025 (roll call). Our earlier story lists every amendment vote from that night.
The math is different this year. Only 12 of the Council's 13 seats are filled until voters choose an at-large member on Nov. 3. An amendment needs a majority, so a 6-6 tie fails. If the mayor vetoes an amendment, overriding him takes nine votes.
What's next
- Nov. 2: The last meeting where Council members can propose and vote on budget amendments. Any TRUA amendment would appear on our legislation page once it's filed.
- Noon, Nov. 6: Johnston's deadline to accept or veto amendments.
- Nov. 9: Veto overrides, if any, and the final vote on the 2027 budget, 26-1547.