The City of Grand Junction Hosts 'At Home in GJ' Program to Address Housing Challenges

The City of Grand Junction is hosting a tenant education workshop and a landlord information session as part of the "At Home in GJ" Landlord and Tenant Program. The next tenant education session will be held on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 5:30 p.m., in the Community Room at Garden Village Apartments, 2601 Belford Ave. The Landlord Information Session will be hosted on Tuesday October 29, 2024, 3:30 p.m., City Hall - HR Training Room, 250 N. 5^th Street. Both meetings are free, but participants must register online.

Developed in partnership with the Grand Junction Housing Authority, Housing Resources of Western Colorado, and from four landlord feedback sessions representing approximately 3000 units, this initiative aims to maintain affordability, attract new landlords for lower-to-middle-income households, increase housing availability, and support tenants and landlords.

The "At Home in GJ" program is designed to be a comprehensive landlord and tenant program. The Rent Smart tenant education program, endorsed by HUD, will provide local tenants with 10 modules of learning and will become a "Certificated Tenant", benefiting both tenants and participating landlords. Grand Junction area landlords will be invited to join a voluntary rental registry which will aid in helping to provide real time rental data and vacancies. Additionally, landlords in the pilot launch of the incentive program can receive up to a $300 signing bonus for each new unit leased to income-qualified Rent Smart Certified Tenant (60 percent Area Median Income or below) with a one-year lease, limited to the first 50 units enrolled. Participating landlords may also receive up to $2,500 in reimbursed mitigation funds for tenant damages, eviction prevention, loss of rent, etc. Staff are currently working on a partnership to expand to a second tier of incentives by January 2025.

To participate in the Rent Smart Tenant Program or to register for the Landlord Information session, visit gjcity.org/housing, call the Housing Division at 970-256-4081 or email [email protected]