CEDP September Newsletter
Funding for CEDP’s Just Bus, Staff Events, a Federal Lawsuit Against RealPage, HUD Housing Counseling Certification, and more!
Happy Fall! This month, CEDP continued our work to confront economic abuse and invest in community wealth. September was busy, so if you’re short on time, here are the highlights:
CEDP has received $840,000 in federal funding for our Just Bus mobile office. The Just Bus will provide legal aid and financial assistance to families across Colorado
We hosted our September all-staff event where CEDP staff gathered to spend time together in person.
The Department of Justice and Colorado Attorney General have sued RealPage over alleged rental price-fixing.
CED Law staff attended the Housing Justice Network Conference in Minneapolis, helped to host a Know Your Rights event with Voces Unidas de las Montanas in Leadville, and put on a litigation skills training for the law firm.
We’ve received official certification to provide Housing Counseling Services out of our Denver and Colorado Springs offices!
If you or someone you know is interested in working with us, we’re hiring for several open positions. Check out our website for more information.
CEDP was featured in numerous news outlets recently, including the talk show Línea Abierta on Radio Bilingüe, The Denver Post, Denver7, Fox31, and more!
CEDP Receives Congressionally Directed Spending Funds to Launch Just Bus
This month, CEDP celebrated the $840,000 in federal funding that Representative Jason Crow and his dedicated team helped to secure for our Just Bus! Our mobile office will help provide crucial legal aid and financial assistance to Colorado families facing eviction.
CEDP Staff Gather for All-Staff Event
On September 12th, CEDP staff gathered for an all-staff event to spend time together in person. There was a great turnout, great food, and great fun! Check out some pictures from the event below:
Department of Justice and Colorado Attorney General Sue RealPage Over Alleged Price-Fixing
In August, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and The Justice Department sued RealPage, alongside seven other states, over alleged price-fixing in the rental market. This RealPage lawsuit could be huge for Colorado renters! For too long, RealPage has been artificially inflating the cost of rent for Coloradans. This news comes after a price-fixing bill died earlier this year at the CO Senate and after consumer groups called on the CO Attorney General to investigate rent-fixing in our state. While price-fixing protections failed when they were introduced at the state level, we’re hopeful that this new lawsuit will mean that corporate landlords are held accountable for their predatory business practices that harm renters.
CED Law Events
It’s been a busy month at our law firm, CED Law! Rebecca Cohn, Sasha Benov, Karl Brevik, Spencer Bailey, and Sam Parker from our law firm attended the Housing Justice Network Conference in Minneapolis. Spencer spoke on two panels — one covering the CARES Act and one on appellate litigation. Rebecca also spoke on a panel about advancing tenants' rights through advocacy at the state level and received an uproarious round of applause when she shared that For Cause passed this year! Check out some pictures from the conference below:
CED Law also helped to host a weekend-long Know Your Rights event with Voces Unidas de las Montanas this month. The event took place at the Colorado Mountain College in Leadville, CO.
On Saturday the CED Law team presented on mobile homeowners rights and EMAP to 8 participants. They also had a feedback Q&A session with those participants, facilitated by Voces Unidas. On Sunday, they had 10 EMAP intakes, 6 limited representation case consultations, and 2 benefit referrals. Thanks to Diana Rivas, Gia Nyhuis, Maria Eugenia Ruiz, and Jesse Loper for helping clients at this event! Check out some photos below:
CED Law’s Gia and Sasha led a litigation skills training for the law firm in September as well. See some photos from the training below:
CEDP Now Certified to Provide Housing Counseling Services
We recently received certification from HUD to provide Housing Counseling services out of our Denver and Colorado Springs offices! We’re excited to begin offering housing counseling services to our clients. Check out our official certification below:
We’re Hiring
As the needs of our clients shift and our programs expand, we’re looking for new team members to join the organization! If you or someone you know is interested in joining CEDP in the fight for economic justice, check out our “Careers” page on our website. We’re currently hiring for the following positions:
Director of Integrated Care
Bilingual Office Coordinator
Executive Administrative Assistant
Accountant - Accounts Payable
Senior Accountant
Housing Coordinator (Colorado Springs)
Supervisor of Integrated Supportive Services
CEDP In the News
CEDP’s Genie Ruiz was featured in a story in Denver7 about issues mobile home park residents face, and the resources available to help.
In August, CEDP’s Cesar Jimenez joined the talk show Línea Abierta on Radio Bilingüe, the National Latino Public Radio Network, to discuss the housing and eviction crisis in Denver.
CEDP’s Cesar Jimenez was also featured in The Denver Post and in The Denver Gazette in stories about a Motel 6 in Greenwood Village which sued the city after it allegedly “violated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act by targeting the small number of homeless guests placed at the motel who struggle with mental health and addiction issues.”
CEDP’s Zach Neumann was interviewed for a segment on Denver7 covering the startlingly high eviction numbers in Denver.
Fox31 covered the event to announce funding for CEDP’s Just Bus. The segment features numerous CEDP staff!
CEDP’s Zach Neumann was featured in a story in Denverite about the continued rise of evictions in the Denver metro area.
Get Help
The Community Economic Defense Project provides rental assistance, legal assistance/representation, and resource navigation for clients facing eviction, housing insecurity, and other types of economic hardship. If you need assistance, please visit our website to get help.