Neighbor to Neighbor's First Month's Rent Assistance Program assists homeless and near homeless families in Larimer County, Colorado to attain affordable, sustainable housing. The costs incurred during move-in to new rental housing often exceed $1,200 through a combination of deposit and first month’s rent.  Because it is difficult to save enough money to cover both of these payments, N2N provides financial assistance for the payment for first month’s rent, absorbing some of the move-in costs.

The First Month’s Rent Assistance program offers a grant of one month’s rent, up to $450 for eligible households.  N2N has strict eligibility requirements for recipients of this financial investment to ensure that clients are entering into a sustainable living situation.  Eligibility requirements for First Month’s Rent Assistance include: 

• Clients must be residents of Larimer County, Colorado
• Clients may only apply for assistance when they are leaving a homeless or potentially homeless situation for one of stable, affordable housing.  Documentation verifying that they are about to lose housing, or are currently homeless is required.
• Clients must be able to prove that their new housing is affordable, by showing that their total household income is at least two times the amount that they will be paying in rent.
• Clients may access First Month’s Rent Assistance only after they have exhausted all other resources (i.e. family, friends, reducing expenses, etc.), and will be limited to $450, but never more than one months’ rent.  
• Deposit fees are not eligible expenses.  If the client owes for deposit expenses, they must show a receipt or money order for the amount owed or a written payment plan from the landlord. 
• Clients must provide a letter of reference from an employer or prior landlord.
• N2N counselors can provide housing search assistance, to identify local rentals that fit within the household budget.
• Clients must provide a copy of an unsigned lease for a minimum of six months for the new rental.  N2N counselors review the terms of the lease with the client prior to approving assistance.
• Checks for First Month’s Rent Assistance are made out directly to the landlord to ensure funds are used for housing expenses only.
• Clients accessing First Month’s Rent Assistance funds are required to attend a one-on-one housing counseling session with one of N2N’s HUD-Certified housing counselors.  The counseling session focuses on renters’ rights & responsibilities, understanding the terms of a lease, local resources, and budgeting skills.
• Prior to meeting with a counselor, applicants complete a short budgeting pre-test designed to assess basic financial literacy.  To be eligible for assistance, clients must pass a budgeting post-test following the counseling session.  This ensures that budgeting basics have been covered by the counselor and promotes financial self-sufficiency.
• Clients who access First Month’s Rent Assistance are not be eligible for other financial assistance from N2N for 12 months.
• Clients are allowed to access First Month’s Rent Assistance once per lifetime. 

For more information, or to learn if you might qualify for First Month's Rent Assistance, click here to contact the office nearest you.