General Info

Through their statewide network of approved lenders, they offer ​home purchase loans and grants; and second mortgage loans for down payment and/or closing cost assistance. They also sponsor free homebuyer education across the state in English and Spanish to help prepare you for homeownership.​

Chaffee Housing Trust provides home ownership opportunities to low and moderate income Lake and Chaffee County residents so they can realize housing stability, build equity, and generate asset wealth to pass on to the next generation. Clients can receive free housing counseling and other services, so they can become “homebuyer-ready”, and move into one of our new affordably priced homes.

The Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG), offers a wide variety of programs to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency through housing.

Programs include:

• Housing Counseling and Education
• Self Help (Habitat model where you build your home)
• Homeowner Rehabilitation Low-Interest Loans

Colorado Legal Services provides free legal advice to low-income and elderly Colorado residents. They provide legal assistance to try to prevent eviction. To get assistance you will need to apply online or call into one of their monthly clinics.

Other legal services that they can help with:

• Family law: domestic violence, divorce, custody, guardianship and others;
• Consumer/debt problems, including bankruptcy, garnishment, collection, repossession and others;
• Housing law, including foreclosures in some but not all CLS offices, evictions, landlord/tenant issues and others;
• Issues for seniors, including living wills, medical durable powers of attorney, and more;
• Problems with programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SSI, and other government benefits;
• Tax controversies with the IRS, including Tax Court litigation, IRS exams and audits, IRS appeals, identity theft/tax preparer fraud, liens and levies, collection alternatives (installment agreements, offers in compromise, economic hardship issues), earned
• income tax credit denials, innocent spouse relief, underreported/disputed income, and cancellation of debt income;
• Other civil (not criminal or traffic) problems; and
• Immigration: we can help citizens and those who are (1) present in the U.S. and (2) have an acceptable “category” of immigration. These categories are complicated and assessed on a case-by-case basis, but include Lawful Permanent Residents and Asylees, among other categories.

The Advocates of Lake County supports survivors of violent crime who are housing insecure through its Housing First program.  Through this program, ALC provides emergency shelter for survivors of violent crime who are in danger.  ALC also has a transitional housing program for survivors who need financial and logistical support as they seek safe and secure permanent housing.  This program includes rental assistance, utility assistance, childcare assistance and food assistance.  Participants in these programs do NOT need to report the violence they are experiencing to law enforcement, but they do need to work closely with ALC staff.  ALC services are free and confidential and can be accessed by calling the ALC Hotline: (719)486-3530.

Colorado Legal Services provides free legal advice to low-income and elderly Colorado residents. To get assistance you will need to apply online or call into one of their monthly clinics.

Summary of legal services that they can help with:

• Family law: domestic violence, divorce, custody, guardianship and others;
  Consumer/debt problems, including bankruptcy, garnishment, collection, repossession and others;
• Housing law, including foreclosures in some but not all CLS offices, evictions, landlord/tenant issues and others;
• Issues for seniors, including living wills, medical durable powers of attorney, and more;
• Problems with programs like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SSI, and other government benefits;
• Tax controversies with the IRS, including Tax Court litigation, IRS exams and audits, IRS appeals, identity theft/tax preparer fraud, liens and levies, collection alternatives (installment agreements, offers in compromise, economic hardship issues), earned
• income tax credit denials, innocent spouse relief, underreported/disputed income, and cancellation of debt income;
• Other civil (not criminal or traffic) problems; and
• Immigration: we can help citizens and those who are (1) present in the U.S. and (2) have an acceptable “category” of immigration. These categories are complicated and assessed on a case-by-case basis, but include Lawful Permanent Residents and Asylees, among other categories.

The Lake County Energy Resource Center supports Lake County households to address their energy needs and meet their energy efficiency goals. We connect Lake County households to state and federal programs, provide financial assistance for past due utility bills and energy, health & safety emergencies, provide rebates for home energy audits and improvements and free radon test kits. Most households that make below 100% AMI may qualify for some form of financial assistance.

There are a variety of non-profits who serve community members in need of emergency support. They work with Lake County Public Health to collect the application information. Please go to Public Health at 825 W 6TH ST, and ask for more information.

If a family is experiencing homelessness and their children are enrolled in Lake County School district they can work with Wraparound for emergency assistance. In this process the youth/family work with their care coordinator to create a team of professionals as well as their own natural support to develop a long term vision for their future. The family and team meet regularly over the course of the process.