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Legislation will provide grant funding for community revitalization and to local governments to address and prevent homelessness
DENVER, CO – The House passed two bills today to provide grant funding for local governments, nonprofits and communities. HB22-1377 is part of the Colorado Democrats’ Homelessness package and invests $105 million for local governments to fund wraparound services and other services for Coloradans experiencing homelessness. HB22-1409 invests $20 million for community revitalization projects that create jobs and support local economies.
“This bill invests $105 million in federal dollars to address Colorado’s homelessness crisis,” said Rep. Steven Woodrow, D-Denver, sponsor of HB22-1377. “HB-1377 directs desperately needed resources to local governments and nonprofits to ensure Coloradans experiencing homelessness are able to access housing and treatment. This is a crucial step towards helping our neighbors who need it the most.”
“This session, I have been working hard to direct resources toward addressing homelessness because it is an issue that expands beyond the Denver-Metro area to every community,” said Rep. Tony Exum, Sr, D-Colorado Springs, sponsor of HB22-1377. “The $105 million federal economic relief funding in our bill invests in community-driven proven strategies to address and prevent homelessness, including care coordination and transitional housing, and connects people with the services they need.”
“We’re working to revitalize communities and boost local economies in every part of our state,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of HB22-1409. “The Community Revitalization Grant Program has successfully directed funding toward impactful projects that beautify communities, create sustained jobs and uplift our local businesses and now we’re investing an additional $20 million to continue this good work in communities across Colorado.”
“This bill invests $20 million to continue the great success of the Community Revitalization Program, which was jumpstarted through a bill I sponsored last session that boosted main streets and fostered new economic opportunities for neighborhoods,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada, HB22-1409. “This funding can be used to begin new projects in communities across the state so each and every main street can thrive and grow.”
Local Grants Program: HB22-1377, sponsored by Representatives Steven Woodrow and Tony Exum, passed the House by a vote of 41 to 24. This bill directs $105 million in flexible grant funding to local governments and nonprofits that are pursuing innovative measures to address the needs of individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Those initiatives may include wraparound supportive services, care coordination, emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing and property conversion.
Community Revitalization Grant Program Funding: HB22-1409, sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and Brianna Titone, passed the House by a vote of 48 to 17. The bill directs an additional $20 million to the Community Revitalization Grant Program, which the legislature created last year as part of Democrats’ Colorado Comeback State Stimulus plan. The program provides gap funding for projects in creative districts, historic districts, main streets or neighborhood commercial centers to create workforce housing, commercial spaces, and child care centers to support the state’s economic recovery. Projects that have already received funding can be found here.