This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China.CDC via AP

Mancos, Cortez, Dolores and Montezuma County have released a list of state and federal resources for residents to access housing assistance.

The information is in response to potential evictions of citizens from their homes because of financial hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

“To be proactive, we wanted to put housing resources out there,” said county administrator Shak Powers.

The list is available on local government websites, including Montezuma County.

The list is intended to help residents who may be struggling to pay rent or mortgage payments amid the coronavirus crisis.

On Aug. 3, the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention issued a temporary 60-day extension on the federal eviction moratorium. The temporary eviction moratorium is set to expire on Oct. 3.

The CDC states that it issued the order “temporarily halting evictions in counties with heightened levels of community transmission in order to respond to recent, unexpected developments in the trajectory of the COVID-19, including the rise of the delta variant.”

The eviction moratorium only covers counties experiencing “substantial” and “high” levels of community transmission. Montezuma, La Plata, Dolores, San Miguel, and Archuleta counties are rated at the high transmission category as of Aug. 14, according to the CDC.

The eviction moratorium targets specific areas of the country where cases are rapidly increasing, which likely would be exacerbated by mass evictions, the CDC order states.

State and federal housing resources
2-1-1 Colorado: 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, call 2-1-1.
Colorado Department of Local Affairs (Division of Housing): CDLA offers rental assistance statewide through the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program. Call 303-864-7810.
Community Resources & Housing Development Corporation: CRHDC provides a wide range of affordable, low-income apartment rental opportunities across the state of Colorado.
Help Colorado Now: Help Colorado Now is actively working to provide resources, food, medical supplies, blood donations, child care services, and funding to aid COVID-19 measures.
Colorado Housing Assistance Corporation: CHAC’s mission is to help make housing and successful home ownership affordable to low-income people. Call 303-572-9445.
Colorado Rural Housing Development Corporation: CRHDC provides housing assistance to those in need across Colorado. Call 303-428-1448.
Colorado Housing Connects: Colorado Housing Connects provides Coloradans with reliable and trustworthy access to information regarding affordable housing, housing assistance, tenant rights and more. Call 844-926-6632.
Colorado Homeless Families: Colorado Homeless Families is a nonprofit that focuses on transitional housing and provides a road to self- sufficiency. Call 303-420-6634.
Colorado Division of Housing: The Colorado Division of Housing includes the Supportive Housing Program which 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. To reach the Colorado Division of Housing, call 303-864-7852.
Temporary Rental & Utility Assistance: TRUA is emergency rent and utility payments for those who qualify.
The Ross Management Group: RMG provides housing assistance to those who qualify. Call 303-860-7885.
Property Tax & Rent Relief Program: Property Tax & Rent Relief Program is for residents older than 65, people with a disability, or low-income residents.
Senior Housing Options, Inc.: SHO provides and promotes quality affordable housing and services in a caring environment for older adults in Colorado. Call 303-595-4464.
STRIDE: Provides family services and a personalized plan to attain economic independence and break the cycle of poverty.
Supportive Housing Programs Rental: The Supportive Housing Program 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. Call 303-864-7852.
Catholic Charities of Western Slope: The Catholic Charities of Western Slope is a charity to assist families and individuals who are in need of housing support, such as rent assistance, heating and utility bill assistance, dental care and aid, transportation, shelter, lodging and more. Call 970-384-2060.
Housing Authority of Montezuma: Housing Authority of Montezuma provides financial assistance to those who qualify. Call 970-565-3831.
Housing Solutions for the Southwest: HS provides resources and programs for those who are struggling with their bills or debts. It includes the Eviction and Emergency Homeless Prevention Program, which provides rent assistance, cash grants and other emergency aid. Funds are available for paying a mortgage, rent and energy bills. Call 970-259-1086.
Volunteers of America – Colorado: Volunteers of America offers six programs in Southwest Colorado that meet the needs of adults and children fleeing domestic violence, individuals and families struggling with homelessness, Veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and seniors 62 year of age or older. Hundreds of donors and volunteers make these programs possible. Call 970-259-1021.
The Pinon Project: Family resource center. Call 970-564-9011.
Pay It Forward: Volunteers established this fund to support Mancos Valley residents in need of financial support as a result of unexpected medical situations or personal hardships that have put a strain on you financially. Apply for the Fund by downloading and filling out the “Pay it Forward Fund” application and emailing it to MVR Administrator Kim Cox or dropping it off at the Mancos Chamber of Commerce.
Housing Solutions for the Southwest: A non-profit organization providing help, housing and hope to our community since 1981. Call (970) 259-1086.
Colorado Legal Services: Legal help for low-income Coloradans seeking assistance with civil legal needs. Call (888) 298-8483.