Denver Mayor Michael Hancock unveiled a package of plans to address the city’s housing crunch Tuesday to be used by a city program called HOPE.

That stands for Housing and Opportunities for People Everywhere, and the details announced Tuesday include binding mediation between landlords and tenants before eviction and money for city residents facing a housing crisis.

“We want our residents to be able to stay in their homes, build their lives and build their futures and their city is coming together to help people in their time of need to do just that,” Hancock said in a statement. “These new tools will work in tandem with other affordability programs in the city to help residents remain in their homes, and keep Denver the vibrant, inclusive city we all cherish.”

The financial help, expected to cost between $800,000 and $900,000 a year, will help lower-income people who find themselves in temporary crisis – such as losing their jobs or some other demonstrable setback – keep their bills paid in the interim, so they don’t wind up on the streets. The program is expected to begin next month, using money from the city’s affordable housing fund.

The program could help those who qualify with up to six months of rental assistance or up to two months of help with utility bills.

The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Denver is $1,060 for a one-bedroom and $1,340 for a two-bedroom apartment, according to an October report on the website Apartment.com.

Tuesday announcement stems from the city’s prorposed five-year plan called “Housing an Inclusive Denver,” which was reported on two week’s ago by the Denver Post’s Jon Murray.

The city also announced a landlord-tenant guide, which was drafted by more than 15 tenant and landlord organizations, county courts and the Apartment Association of Metro Denver, among others. The guide spells out the rights of tenants and landlords, as well as avenues to address disputes.

Hancock’s office said the guide soon will be on the website for the city Office of Economic Development.

“Stopping displacement in our city is a primary value and goal of the new five-year housing plan, Housing an Inclusive Denver,” Kevin Marchman, chairman of the city’s Housing Advisory Committee, said in a statement. “The new partnership with Denver courts on a mediation diversion pilot program for eviction cases, the landlord tenant guide, and funding from the affordable housing fund to provide direct financial assistance to families in need are examples of just some of the tools we can employ to support residents in Denver.”

Nancy Burke, vice president for government affairs at the Apartment Association of Metro Denver , lauded the landlord-tenant guide “for improving the education of all parties and expanding opportunities to successfully resolve disputes.”

She added, “By improving an understanding of a residential lease, all parties will benefit.”