Key Info
Once clients have a stable place to live, they can concentrate on improving areas such as medical, employment, and other basic needs to begin to achieve a higher level of stability.
1340
people were helped with Housing Services
373 million
clients were served with utility assistance
Rent and Utility Services
Due to a lack of funding, we can only serve about five out of the 300 requests for rent we receive each month. Click below to learn more about the process and other resources.
We offer utility assistance through Colorado Springs Utilities Project COPE.
Families: 719.578.1222
Individuals: 719.866.6284
As of July 1, 2025, Catholic Charities will no longer have ERAP (Emergency Rental Assistance Program) funding. We can offer a limited amount of rental assistance through the Homeless Resolution Program, which is designed to prevent homelessness. This program assists individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to move toward housing stability.
Eligibility:
Income: Households receiving HRP-HP must be at or under 30% AMI (Extremely Low Income). Find out where you fall by clicking here.
In addition, your rental must be at or below Fair Market Value. To calculate Fair Market Value for your property, first add your base rent and utilities together. Now compare this amount to the chart to find out if your property qualifies by clicking here
For Rental Assistance:
- Must have a demand or summons for past due rent.
- Must not have received assistance from Catholic Charities within the last 12 months
- Must live in El Paso County
- Must be in a lease
- Must show the ability to pay rent moving forward
- Must not owe more than $2,500
For Deposit Assistance:
- Must have an approval/welcome letter at the time of application
- Must live in El Paso County
- Must show the ability to pay rent moving forward
- Must not have a deposit more than $2,500
Ineligible for Rental Assistance:
- Have received rent assistance within the last 12 months from Catholic Charities
- Unable to pay rent moving forward
Process:
If you meet the eligibility requirement above, please complete an Initial Contact Form
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I don’t meet the guidelines listed above, but I still need help with rent! What other resources are available?
A: There are several resources in the city that might provide help:
- Mercy’s Gate – Lottery System for limited rent assistance on Mondays at 4:00 pm. Please visit their website for updated information
- 211 Colorado – Visit their website: 211 Colorado or Call 211. You will see various categories of assistance/ resources, such as Food Assistance, Housing and Shelter, Health Services, Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders, Employment, and many more!
- The Community Economic Defense Project – If you are reaching out because you have been issued an Eviction Court Summons (a packet of paper that contains a court date) and you have not received ERAP from the City or State in the last year (365 days) you may be eligible for rent assistance through The Community Economic Defense Project.
Q: I’m worried I’m going to be evicted, I don’t know what to do.
A: It is extremely important that you read all documents provided to you by your landlord during the eviction process (i.e. notice, demand, eviction summons packet, etc.) and follow the directions within the paperwork. You may want to seek legal counsel during this process, and it is important that you do so as early as possible.
Visit these websites for additional information:
https://www.coloradolegalservices.org/
https://coloradosprings.gov/fairhousing
https://www.justicecentercos.org/tenant-toolkit
https://www.courts.state.co.us/Forms/SubCategory.cfm?Category=Housing
Catholic Charities is a Colorado Springs Utilities Project COPE (Community Option to Provide Energy) agency. Project COPE provides utility payment assistance to families and individuals struggling financially due to a personal crisis or emergency and is funded by customer donations to Colorado Springs Utilities.
Project COPE is the only local organization that dedicates its entire funding to utility payment assistance year-round. A limited number of funds from COPE and Catholic Charities are available for emergency utility assistance. Assistance is offered every Tuesday. Clients must have utility service through Colorado Springs Utilities and have not used COPE assistance from any agency in the past 12 months. The client must bring their most recent utility bill, identification, and verification of income from any source. If the client meets those criteria, they can be helped with past due amounts.
If LEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program) is available (November – April), the client must first apply for LEAP before any assistance can be given through COPE. Please call the appropriate number listed below for assistance.
Utility Assistance is available at our Marian House and Family Connections locations.
Marian House, 14 West Bijou Street
Please call 719-866-6284 for assistance with Project COPE if you are over 18 and do not have minor children in the household.
Appointments are made Mon – Fri, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Family Connections @ Helen Hunt Campus, 917 East Moreno Avenue
Please call 719-578-1222 for assistance with Project COPE if you have children under the age of 18 living at home. Appointments are scheduled with a Navigator. Times and days vary.
Please Note: Catholic Charities is out of COPE funds through December 31, 2024. Here is a list of other agencies who may have COPE funds available based on spending though October 2024:
https://projectcopecs.org/get-help
Home Front Military Network
Pikes Peak United Way
Silver Key Senior Services
Southern Colorado Health Network
Westside CARES
The federal program – LEAP – is available beginning November 1, 2024. Find out more about LEAP here.
“If I didn’t have Catholic Charities, I don’t know where we would be. I am so grateful.”
“Catholic Charities offered me a hand up and that made all the difference.”
“When a p[erson is truly ready to change, Catholic Charities will provide everything you need to change your life.”
“The Marian House is invaluable because it feeds people. They keep people’s stomachs full and the food is good.”
location
Marian House Campus
14 West Bijou Street
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. by appointment (Appointments preferred)
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. walk-in (as time between appointments allows)
719-866-6445
“The Marian House is invaluable because it feeds people. They keep people’s stomachs full and the food is good.”
“Never in a million years did I think I would be homeless.”
“When a person is truly ready to change, Catholic Charities will provide everything you need to change your life.”
“Some days it is just so hard to be homeless.”
“I feel way more confident in myself and my ability to be a mom.”
“Catholic Charities offered me a hand up and that made all the difference.”
“It felt like freedom…finally!”
“It seemed like there was no hope.”
“Every day we are thankful for Catholic Charities.”
“Seeing the help they gave to those in need really impressed me.”
“I am making the changes to get the life I have dreamed of.”
“If I didn’t have Catholic Charities, I don’t know where we would be. I am so grateful.”
