If you’re struggling to pay rent, there is rent assistance Birmingham Alabama has available and there are a few programs that may be able to help. The first is the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which provides one-time financial assistance to eligible households who are behind on rent due to circumstances beyond their control.
Residents who are having trouble paying rent or utilities due to COVID-19 are eligible for the City of Birmingham’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Landlords can also participate.
There is also the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps low-income families with the cost of heating and cooling their homes. Finally, the Community Services Block Grant can provide funding for a variety of services to low-income residents, including rent assistance.
If you need help paying your rent, contact your local community action agency or housing authority to see if you qualify for any of these programs.
Residents should remember that various papers are necessary to complete the application procedure, whether they apply online or in person.
If an application is not filled out, it will not be deemed ready for evaluation.
Renters must supply the following:
- A signed lease.
- A driver’s license or similar kind of picture identification is required.
- Proof of Earnings
- Utility bill that is past due.
- A rent statement or ledger is a document that lists the amount of money owed to
- An eviction notice has been issued.
- A valid email address is required.
Documents demonstrate that COVID 19 has had a direct or indirect detrimental economic impact on the family.
W-9 form from the landlord and the location and contact information for the rental flat.
Landlords are responsible for providing:
- W-9
- The address of the rental unit
- Information about how to contact us
- This service is only available to tenants inside Birmingham’s city borders.
Please keep in mind that income is only one element in determining eligibility for this program. The “Do I Qualify? Information on income levels and other criteria may be found in the ” section, which is located lower down on this page.
A FAQ about the program is also available on this page.
Both landlords and tenants can create an account and submit an ERA application using an online portal.
On April 26, 2021, the online platform allowing locals to apply became live.
- The applicant must first register while entering the web portal for the first time. Without first clicking the “Register” button on the link to establish a profile, the applicant will not access the online application.
- You must provide their email address and establish a password while enrolling.
- When generating a password, make sure it has at least eight characters, including one capital letter, one number, and one symbol.
- Applicants will not sign into the site to begin the application process unless they have first registered.
- When you return to the site, click the “Sign in” button.
Renters with queries or assistance with the application will contact a call center.
If an applicant does not have an internet connection and cannot complete an online application, they will be transferred to a caseworker who can assist them.
The Birmingham Emergency Rental Assistance Program can help tenants with the following expenses beginning March 13, 2020:
Rent expenditures are past due, current, and up to three months ahead of schedule.
Utility and residential energy bills are past due, current, or up to three months old.
If funds are still available after the initial three months of forwarding aid, tenants can request three further months of help. Applicants must reapply every three months and only be considered for assistance if funds are still available.
This program is not available to homeowners who have past-due mortgages.
This program is not accessible to Birmingham residents with a past-due mortgage or outstanding electric bills related to the epidemic. Homeowners who need assistance with their mortgage payments or energy bills should go to this website:
Participants requesting rental service must provide numerous essential papers to the website when applying for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, including their:
- The lease has been signed.
- A driver’s license or other government-issued picture identification is required.
- A notice of eviction or a letter from the landlord stating that they are late on their rent.
Proof of income for each adult household member (tax returns, pay stubs, unemployment award letters, savings and checking account statements, and, if applicable, child support income documentation) OR a determination letter from a government agency stating that a household member’s income is at or below 80% of the area median income.
If the applicant has finished their household’s federal income taxes for the year 2020, one of the following documents will be required:
- I submitted IRS Form 1040 for the year 2020.
- I submitted IRS Form 1040-SR for the year 2020.
Suppose the applicant has not yet finished their federal income taxes for 2020 OR is not obliged to file a federal income tax return for 2020.
In that case, they must present all relevant income evidence under one of the following two categories:
Documentation of annual income that is acceptable:
- W2 form for the year 2020.
- Social Security benefits letter from the current year or 2020 Form 1099-SA.
- Form 1099-R for the year 2020.
- Contractor revenue will be reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC in 2020.
Other acceptable proof of income:
- For the preceding 30 days, check stubs from the applicant’s job.
- The gross benefit amount is included in the current unemployment benefits letter.
- Currently signed letter (on business letterhead) from applicant’s employer confirming gross salary (pay rate, hours/week, pay date).
- Letter confirming current pension/retirement benefits (if applicable).
- Letter confirming annuity payment.
- Statement of current interest 1099-INT.
- 1099-DIV is the most recent dividend statement.
- Form of income certification signed (for self-employed or cash income).
- Signed form for no remuneration.
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Do I Meet the Requirements?
Renter households must earn less than 80% of the area median income (AMI), and one or more members of the family must testify in writing that, as a result of the epidemic, they have:
- Either qualified for or received unemployment benefits; OR had a decrease in income.
- Significant expenses were incurred.
Have you faced any additional financial difficulties?
AND one or more household members must show that they are in danger of homelessness or housing instability, such as having a past due utility or rent notice or an eviction notice, OR that they are at risk of suffering homelessness or housing instability.
Live in a dangerous or unhealthy environment. One or more of your utilities, for example, may have been switched off.
The families cannot be receiving federal rental subsidies or other forms of rental assistance.
The rental unit must be the applicant’s principal residence and be situated within Birmingham city boundaries. The renter’s application for overdue rent or energy bills can only return to March 13, 2020.
Only electricity, gas, water, and residential energy expenditures are considered eligible utilities. The internet, telephone, and cable are not included.
Helpful Hints
If you’re applying online, a desktop or laptop is preferable over a cell phone.
Although Google Chrome is suggested, this application procedure will work with any current online browser.
Because the application procedure may require the uploading of multiple papers, candidates should be aware that all documents must be clear and readable when submitted.
To have instant access to what is necessary, gather all papers before going online to apply.
Disclaimers of Liability
State and federal criminal sanctions apply to falsifying papers or other significant lies or omissions in applying to this program, including deliberately seeking duplicate benefits.
Landlords and tenants should be aware that under 18 U.S.C. 1001, whoever knowingly and willingly makes or uses a document or writing containing any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry in any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States will be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both, in any matter within the jurisdiction of any United States department or agency.
