Several churches and religious coalitions in Colorado Springs offer emergency financial assistance to help residents pay rent and avoid eviction. Since funds are limited and often replenished on a monthly basis, it is strongly recommended that you contact them as early in the month as possible.
Faith-Based Rental Resources in Colorado Springs
Catholic Charities of Central Colorado
Catholic Charities of Central Colorado offers limited emergency rental assistance, primarily through its Homeless Resolution Program (HRP-HP). Since federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds have been exhausted, their local funds are very limited and subject to strict compliance guidelines.
To apply, you must email rent@ccharitiescc.org or complete the initial contact form on the Catholic Charities “Get Help Portal.”
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for rental assistance, your household must meet all of the following conditions:
Income Limit: Total household income must be at or below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI), placing you in the “extremely low-income” category.
Rent Amount: Your monthly rent cost must be at or below the local Fair Market Rent (calculated by combining base rent and average utility costs).
Eviction Notice: You must have an official notice or court summons from your landlord regarding past-due rent.
Debt Limit: The total amount of past-due rent owed cannot exceed $2,500.
Lease Status: You must be an active tenant listed on a current, valid lease agreement.
Location: You must physically reside in El Paso County.
Sustainability: You must be able to demonstrate the financial capacity to pay your monthly rent in the future after receiving this one-time assistance.
Frequency: You must not have received financial assistance from Catholic Charities within the last 12 months.
What to Include in Your Application
When emailing the rental assistance team, ensure you have scanned copies or clear photos of the required verification documents:
- Proof of household income for all adults (e.g., pay stubs, SSI/SSDI benefit letters). A valid, government-issued photo ID.
- Your current, signed lease agreement.
- A written notice of past-due rent, a collection notice, or a court summons.
Mercy’s Gate
Mercy’s Gate offers emergency rent and mortgage assistance of up to $400 to El Paso County residents. To secure an appointment, you must participate in their random lottery system, as funds are very limited and appointments are allocated based on the resources available during each session.
Requests for housing assistance are accepted strictly on Mondays (doors open at 4:00 p.m.) and during the first Saturday session of each month (doors open at 9:00 a.m.). Arriving early does not give you an advantage; however, you must be present in line the moment the doors open to have your name included in the lottery.
Eligibility Rules
Before attending a session, ensure you meet all the criteria listed on the Mercy’s Gate housing assistance page:
- Current month only: Payments are made only for the current calendar month. However, on the fourth Monday of the month, the period changes, and they begin accepting requests for the following month.
- Prior balance cleared: Rent or mortgage payments for all previous months must be fully paid; they do not cover debts accumulated from past months.
- Exclusions: Funds are not provided for security deposits, subleases, or hotel/motel stays.
- Frequency: You may receive rent or mortgage assistance only once per calendar year.
- Payment conditions: Landlords or mortgage lenders must be willing to accept partial payments via a check issued by an external non-profit organization.
Required documents
If your name is selected, you will proceed directly to an intake interview lasting approximately one hour. You must bring the following physical documents with you:
- A valid, government-issued photo ID.
- A complete copy of your current, signed lease agreement or your mortgage statement.
Westside CARES
Westside CARES is a community coalition of churches offering emergency rent and mortgage assistance, specifically for residents of the Westside area of Colorado Springs.
Rent assistance is handled strictly on a walk-in basis (no appointments) at their main office, starting on the 8th of each month. The application process takes place Monday through Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Service is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, assisting the first three households that arrive each day.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for emergency rental assistance through the Westside CARES program, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
Service Area: You must reside within the designated Westside boundaries (west of I-25, south of the Air Force Academy, east of the El Paso/Teller County line, and north of Fort Carson). Eligible zip codes include 80829, 80902, 80904, 80905, 80906, 80907, 80913, 80919, and 80926.
Minimum Residency: You must have lived in your current home or apartment for at least 6 months.
Source of Income: You must demonstrate an active and ongoing source of household income.
Frequency: Assistance is strictly limited to a one-time basis; you cannot have previously received rental funds from this organization.
Document Verification: You must present a valid government-issued photo ID and a complete copy of your current lease agreement.
Mid-Month Strategy:
Since the housing budget is completely suspended between the 1st and the 7th of the month, do not attempt to visit without an appointment during the first week. Plan to arrive early in the morning on the 8th (or the next available business day if the 8th falls on a weekend) to secure one of the daily service slots.
The Salvation Army (Colorado Springs Corps)
The Salvation Army (Colorado Springs Corps) offers emergency financial assistance for overdue rent and utility bills to prevent evictions and service disconnections. Its social services program serves as a temporary safety net for families and individuals facing unexpected financial hardship.
To request assistance with rent or utilities, you must schedule an appointment by calling the social services main line at (719) 636-3891.
Eligibility Requirements
Fund availability varies from month to month, and applicants must meet several standard criteria to qualify for direct rental assistance:
Eviction notice or demand for payment: You generally need a formal, written document from your landlord, such as a “Demand for Rent,” a “Notice to Quit,” or a court-issued eviction notice.
Income verification: You must provide proof of all household income to demonstrate that you can maintain future rent payments once the emergency assistance is granted.
El Paso County residency: You must be a resident of El Paso County and provide a valid lease agreement linking you to the property.
Direct payment to landlord: The landlord must be willing to complete a W-9 form and accept direct payment via check or voucher from The Salvation Army.
Utility Assistance (Project COPE)
If the primary threat to your housing stability is a utility shut-off notice rather than rent, the Colorado Springs Corps serves as an intake site for the Project COPE program. This program specifically helps Colorado Springs Utilities customers facing financial hardship pay their electricity, gas, water, or sewer bills.
Important steps to follow
Call 211: If the organizations mentioned above have exhausted their funds for the month, dial 211 or visit the 211 Colorado website for an up-to-date list of rental assistance grants (municipal, state, or private) currently accepting applications.
Gather your documents: Almost all church-based programs will require a copy of your signed lease, state ID, proof of household income, and an official written document from your landlord stating the “Demand for Rent Payment” or eviction notice. Have these documents ready to avoid missing the chance to secure an appointment.
