Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

Boulder County's Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program began in October 2012 as a collaborative community response to the rising numbers of families with school-age children who already are, or are at risk of, experiencing homelessness. Expanding on the more general, program designed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Human Services (HUD) to provide housing stabilization and supportive services for lower-income households, Boulder County chose to incorporate an element focused on and largely defined by supporting children’s success in school and adult self-sufficiency. The philosophy behind this program is that children who are raised in a stable home with appropriate resources tend to continue with, and excel in their education, and often play a significant role in breaking the cycle of homelessness. Administered by the Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services (BCDHHS) (which includes the Boulder County Housing Authority) TBRA partners with other local housing authorities, school districts, and non-profit service providers to help families achieve long-term self-sufficiency. Families first began enrolling in the program in October 2012 and continued throughout 2013. To date, 57 families have been served, which includes 136 children. To date, 23 families have successfully graduated, with the majority of the balance still participating in the two year program. Year end 2014 data showed that 83 percent of family participants improved their overall self-sufficiency and 95 percent improved or maintained their income.