Update: City Of Birmingham Has Provided Nearly $3M In Emergency Rental Assistance To Residents

From the City of Birmingham:

September 13, 2021

Birmingham, AL – More than 530 Birmingham residents have received rent assistance from the city as part of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program funded through the U.S. Department of Treasury. Nearly 100 more residents will receive funds in the coming days as part of the program designed to assist tenants who have fallen behind on rent or utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than half the overall funds budgeted to assist residents in need in Birmingham has been distributed. To date, $2.6 million has been paid with an additional $355,560 pending payment. Birmingham tenants on average receive between $4,000 to $5,000 in rental assistance through the program.

In keeping with federal guidelines, applicants who are facing eviction are prioritized first. Community Development is working closely with the court system and Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham in an effort to halt or delay evictions currently in process.

The city expects to complete distribution of the remaining $2.7 million from the first round of Emergency Rental Assistance funds in the coming weeks. The city has received a second round of rental assistance funds totaling more than $4 million to extend the program in the city.

Individuals seeking more information or an application for the city’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program should go to www.birminghamal.gov/renthelp.

Individuals needing help with an online application should call 205-778-2091 or email questions to rentalassistance@specialkindofcaring.org.

By the Numbers

The city’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program has paid out $2.6 million to residents with an additional $355,560 to be distributed in the coming days. Here are some additional statistics about the program as of September 13, 2021:

• 530 Birmingham residents have received rent assistance from the city as part of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program

• 2,475 applications in progress These are individuals who began a form but never completed it. The forms are still open in the system.

• 340 applications submitted The applications have been completed and submitted.

• 318 applications under review The applications are either pending review or are currently under review.

• 92 pre-approved ($205,092) The applications have been approved by the case manager and are awaiting next steps by Community Development.

• 21 days The time it takes for an application completed with all required information provided to be processed and, if in compliance with the program, approved.

This press release was produced by the City of Birmingham. The views expressed are the author's own.