Starting Wednesday, low- and middle-income Denver residents faced with a housing crisis such as a steep rent hike or past-due utility bills can seek help from a new city assistance program.

The Temporary Rental and Utility Assistance Program, announced last month as part of the city’s draft five-year housing strategy for its new $150 million housing fund, aims to help 300 households and, more broadly, help stabilize neighborhoods, city officials say.

Residents can apply for substantial assistance: Depending on the need, the city is willing to cover up to 80 percent of a household’s monthly rent for as long as six months. Households also can apply for coverage of two months of utility payments, up to a maximum $1,000.

To qualify, households first must fall under income limits that amount to 80 percent of the metro area median income — $47,000 a year for an individual or $67,100 for a family of four.

And they must demonstrate “a current financial or other housing crisis, such as a notice of rent increase that makes existing housing unaffordable, evidence of uninhabitable living conditions like a notice of public health violations, a past due notice, or loss of a job,” according to a news release.

“We have heard loud and clear from Denver households that too often it is unforeseen circumstances or increased costs that can lead to a housing crisis,” Mayor Michael Hancock said in the release. “These tools are meant to provide temporary relief for people in a pinch to ensure that Denver residents can remain in their homes, and that we keep Denver affordable for all our people.”

Wednesday also marks the start of the city’s annual Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. During cold-weather seasons, that program pays a portion of home energy bills to cover heating costs for households earning up to 165 percent of the federal poverty index (a maximum annual income of $19,896 for an individual or $40,092 for a family of four).

The city’s news release urged anyone interested in either program to call the 311 city services line and select option 6 for help.

The city still is seeking public input on its broader, five-year housing strategy. Two public meetings remain: Wednesday at Servicios de La Raza, 3131 W. 14th Ave., and Nov. 8 at Calvary Baptist Church, 6500 E. Girard Ave. Both meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m.