Housing & Benefits

Boulder County uses “coordinated entry” and county programs to decide who gets into certain housing programs or vouchers. It often runs through Housing & Human Services or partner agencies.

Good for: Getting in the system for longer-term housing help, case management, and sometimes motel or voucher options if they exist.

Reality check: This is usually the slow lane, not emergency housing. But being in the system matters for when something opens up.

Boulder County Housing & Human Services

Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) supports families with children and some adults with limited housing programs, rental assistance, and case management in Boulder.

Good for: Families in Boulder city limits who need rent help, deposit help, or short-term housing support.

Not usually for: Single adults with no children (they may connect you elsewhere).

EFAA housing program info

OUR Center helps people in the St. Vrain area with basic needs, stability programs, and connections to housing resources. Sometimes they have rent or deposit assistance.

Good for: People staying in Longmont or St. Vrain who need help building stability (food, showers, case management, sometimes housing help).

OUR Center website

Sister Carmen Community Center helps people in eastern Boulder County with food, rent and utility assistance, and referrals to housing resources.

Good for: People staying more on the Lafayette / Louisville / Superior / Erie side than in Boulder city itself.

Sister Carmen website

Groups like Mercy Housing, Thistle and other nonprofit landlords operate affordable housing buildings in Boulder County and Denver. Many have long waitlists but are worth knowing about.

Good for: Long-term, below-market housing once you’re more stable or have vouchers.

Reality: You almost never walk in and get a unit. This is “play the long game”.

• Mercy Housing
• Thistle

SNAP gives you money for food each month on an EBT card. You can use it at most grocery stores and some convenience stores.

Good for: Keeping you fed so you’re not spending every dollar on food.

How to apply: Use Colorado PEAK online, or apply through Boulder County Housing & Human Services.

Apply on Colorado PEAK

Medicaid in Colorado is called Health First Colorado. It covers doctor visits, emergency care, prescriptions, mental health, and more if you qualify on income.

Good for: Getting meds, seeing doctors, and not avoiding care because of cost.

Apply / check on PEAK

There are a few types of cash assistance that might apply:

• TANF – for families with children.
• AND – Aid to the Needy Disabled (small cash benefit while disabled and waiting).
• SSI/SSDI – federal disability if you can’t work long-term.

These take time and documentation, but even a small monthly cash benefit can be the difference between constant crisis and having a little breathing room.

Start with Boulder County HHS or a case manager at a shelter or clinic.

LEAP helps pay winter heating bills. If you’re doubled up, couch-surfing or in low-cost housing, this can keep power on.

Colorado LEAP program

• Photo ID (state ID or driver’s license)
• Social Security number (card or official letter if possible)
• Proof of income (pay stubs, award letters, benefit notices)
• Proof of residency / homelessness (shelter letter, mailed letter, case manager note)

Take pictures of everything and back them up. Paper gets wet. Phones get lost. Having photos can save you weeks.

Replacing ID is painful but possible. You’ll usually need:

• Birth certificate or other identity docs
• Some form of proof of residency (may be a shelter letter)

Ask case managers at shelters, EFAA, OUR Center or Sister Carmen for help with ID fees and forms.

In Boulder County, housing can take months or years. That’s not because you’re failing – it’s because the math is broken: way more people need housing than there are units.

• Emergency shelter = days.
• Transitional housing = months.
• Vouchers or permanent housing = months to years.

You’re allowed to be angry about this and still play the game.

• Don’t believe every “we’ll call you next week”. Note dates and ask again.
• Work benefits and housing in parallel – not one after the other.
• Let yourself be frustrated, then keep one small action per week moving.
• Celebrate progress that doesn’t look big to other people (ID, SNAP, a stable doctor, a mailing address).

Housing letters, court notices, benefit approvals – they all come through mail and phone.

• Use a shelter, friend, PO box or program that accepts mail for you.
• Keep voicemail cleared so people can actually leave a message.
• When your number changes, tell case managers and benefits offices fast.