In the wake of the U.S Supreme Court ruling blocking the Biden administration’s eviction moratorium, $2.6 million in renters assistance has been directed to more than 530 Birmingham residents, with almost 100 more residents to receive funds soon, according to the Birmingham mayor’s office.
With the $2.6 million in funds already allocated to tenants, and an additonal $355,560 pending payment, more than half of the overall budget for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program has been distributed, according to the mayor’s office.
In April 2021, the city unveiled its Emergency Rental Assistance Program, a program using funds from the U.S. Department of Treasury to assist Birmingham residents who have fallen behind on their rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In keeping with federal guidelines, applicants who are facing eviction are prioritized first,” the mayor’s office said in a statement Monday. “Community Development is working closely with the court system and Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham in an effort to halt or delay evictions currently in process.”
In the statement Monday, the mayor’s office said it expects to complete the distribution of a remaining $2.7 million balance in first-round funds for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program in the coming weeks.
The second round of rental assistance funds, more than $4 million in funds, has been given to Birmingham to extend the program further into the year.
The city is barred from extending its own eviction moratorium for Birmingham residents due to the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, which prohibits cities from enacting regulations or ordinances that affect landlord-tenant relations, such as eviction moratoriums.
The program’s website is available for applicants who meet the city requirements for receiving assistance.
A telephone number, 205-778-2091, and email, rentalassistance@specialkindofcaring.org, have been established for questions on the program.
Approved applicants in Birmingham receive between $4,000 to $5,000 on average in rental assistance through the program.
