Where Denver's Affordable Housing Programs Are Located

Denver's affordable housing programs are run by three main bodies: the Denver Housing Authority (which manages public housing and vouchers), the Mayor's Office of Housing and Opportunities (which oversees development and rental information), and Community Planning and Development (which handles zoning and inclusionary housing). Each handles different programs, and you may need to contact more than one depending on what you're looking for.

The Denver Housing Authority operates from their main office at 1981 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80202, and you can reach them at 720-944-7996. The Mayor's Office of Housing and Opportunities is at 201 W. Colfax Avenue, Suite 700, and their phone number is 720-913-1303. Neither office takes walk-ins without an appointment, so call first to confirm hours and what documents to bring.

If you don't know which office handles what you need, start with 211 Colorado. Dial 2-1-1 from any phone in Colorado, and a counselor will tell you which program fits your situation and whether it's currently open. This is faster than calling multiple offices.

Key Takeaways

  • Denver Housing Authority runs Section 8 vouchers and public housing; the Mayor's Office of Housing and Opportunities runs rental information and new affordable units.
  • Income limits vary by program and by family size, and most programs use Area Median Income (AMI) percentages that change yearly.
  • Waiting lists for Section 8 vouchers and public housing are typically closed in Denver, so you must call to find out when they reopen.
  • Rental information programs often have money available but require proof of recent hardship, a signed lease, and landlord contact information.
  • Calling 211 Colorado will connect you to a counselor who can tell you which programs are open and what you need to bring.

Section 8 Vouchers and Public Housing in Denver

The Denver Housing Authority manages both Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing units. A Section 8 voucher lets you rent from a private landlord and pay a portion of the rent while the program pays the rest to the landlord. Public housing means you rent a unit owned by the Denver Housing Authority itself.

Both programs have income limits. For Section 8, the limit is typically 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), which changes each year. In 2024, that means a single person earning roughly $52,000 per year or a family of four earning roughly $74,000 per year would be at or near the limit, but these numbers shift annually. You must also have a valid Social Security number, be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access immigrant, and pass a background check.

The waiting list for Section 8 vouchers in Denver is currently closed. Call the Denver Housing Authority at 720-944-7996 to ask when it will reopen. The same applies to public housing. When a list does open, it typically closes again within days or weeks once it reaches capacity. Sign up when ready if you see it's open, because you cannot predict when the next opening will be.

Rental information and Emergency Programs

Denver has several rental information programs that do not require you to be on a waiting list. The Denver Eviction Prevention Program pays rent arrears (money you already owe) directly to your landlord if you have experienced a recent hardship such as job loss, medical emergency, or reduced hours. The program typically covers up to 12 months of back rent and may also cover utilities.

To explore, you will need a signed lease, proof of the hardship (such as a termination letter or medical bill), proof of income, and your landlord's contact information and banking details. The program pays the landlord directly, not you. Processing usually takes two to four weeks. Call the Mayor's Office of Housing and Opportunities at 720-913-1303 to confirm the program is currently accepting applications, because funding can run out.

Denver also participates in the Emergency Rental information Program, which is federally funded and covers both back rent and future rent in some cases. Income limits are higher than Section 8 — typically up to 80 percent of AMI or sometimes higher depending on the funding round. You can ask about this program when you call the Mayor's Office, or 211 Colorado can tell you which program has money available right now.

New Affordable Housing Development and Inclusionary Housing

Denver requires new apartment and condo buildings to include a percentage of units at below-market rent, a rule called inclusionary housing. These units are rented to households earning between 60 and 80 percent of AMI, depending on the building. You do not explore to the city for these units; instead, you explore directly to the building's management company when they advertise.

The Mayor's Office of Housing and Opportunities also funds new affordable housing construction through grants and loans to developers. When these buildings open, they advertise directly to the public. You can search for available units on the Denver Housing Search website (denvergov.org/housing), which lists both inclusionary units and units in buildings developed with city funding. Income limits and rent amounts are listed for each building.

New construction takes time. If you need housing now, focus on Section 8 (when the list opens), rental information, or private market units. New affordable buildings are a long-term resource, not an when ready solution.

Income Limits and What Documents You Will Need

Most Denver programs use Area Median Income (AMI) as their measure. A program might say "60 percent AMI" or "80 percent AMI." This means your household income cannot exceed that percentage of what the median household in the Denver area earns. Because AMI changes yearly, the dollar amount changes too. Call the program directly to ask what the current limit is for your household size.

Common documents you will need across programs include: proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of identity (driver's license or passport), proof of residency in Colorado (utility bill or lease), Social Security numbers for all household members, and proof of any hardship if you are explore for rental information. If you are explore for Section 8 or public housing, you will also need a background check authorization form, which the Denver Housing Authority provides.

If you do not have all documents, ask the program whether you can provide alternatives. For example, if you do not have recent pay stubs, some programs will accept a letter from your employer or bank statements showing regular deposits. Do not assume you are ineligible because you lack one document.

how the process works and What to Expect

For Section 8 vouchers or public housing, you must explore in person at the Denver Housing Authority office at 1981 Blake Street. Bring your ID, proof of income, and Social Security card. There is no online process for these programs. Call 720-944-7996 first to confirm the waiting list is open and to ask what hours they accept applications.

For rental information, you can often start by phone or online. Call the Mayor's Office of Housing and Opportunities at 720-913-1303, describe your situation, and ask which program you should explore to. They will tell you whether to explore online, by mail, or in person. Processing times vary: rental information typically takes two to six weeks, while Section 8 approval (if you are on the list) can take several months.

After you explore, the program will contact you to request additional documents or to schedule an interview. Respond quickly — if you miss a important date or do not return calls, your process may be closed. If you are approved for Section 8, you will receive a voucher and a list of landlords who accept it. You then search for an apartment on your own and negotiate with the landlord.

When Waiting Lists Are Closed and What to Do

Denver's Section 8 and public housing waiting lists are frequently closed because demand far exceeds available units. When a list is closed, you cannot explore, and there is no way to get on it until it reopens. The Denver Housing Authority does not maintain a pre-process list or notify people when lists reopen.

If the list is closed, focus on rental information programs, which do not have waiting lists. You can also search the Denver Housing Search website for new affordable buildings or inclusionary units. Another option is to look for private market apartments and ask whether the landlord accepts Section 8 vouchers — some do, and you can explore for a voucher when the list reopens and use it at that unit if you are approved.

Call 211 Colorado or the Denver Housing Authority directly every few months to ask whether the list has reopened. Some people set a phone reminder to check quarterly. It is the only way to know when an opening happens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live in Denver to explore for these programs?

Most programs require you to be a Colorado resident, but not necessarily a Denver resident. However, some programs prioritize Denver residents. Call the program you are interested in to ask about residency requirements. If you are currently homeless or living outside Colorado, ask whether you can still explore.

What if my income is above the limit?

You will not be able to use Section 8, public housing, or most rental information programs. However, you may still be able to rent an inclusionary unit in a new building if your income is between 60 and 80 percent of AMI. Search the Denver Housing Search website to see what is available. Private market apartments are your main option if your income exceeds program limits.

Can I explore for Section 8 if I have an eviction on my record?

It depends on how recent it is and the circumstances. The Denver Housing Authority will review your background, and an old eviction may not disqualify you. A recent eviction or an active eviction case will likely disqualify you. Call 720-944-7996 and describe your situation; they can tell you whether you would be approved.

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher after I am approved?

Approval can take several months to over a year, depending on how many people are ahead of you on the waiting list. After approval, you receive the voucher and have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find an apartment. If you do not find one in that time, the voucher may expire and you will have to reapply.

What if I need housing right now and the waiting lists are closed?

Call the Mayor's Office of Housing and Opportunities at 720-913-1303 or 211 Colorado to ask about rental information programs that are currently open. These programs do not have waiting lists and can move faster. You can also contact local nonprofits such as the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless or the Stout Street Foundation, which run emergency shelter and rapid rehousing programs.