If you’re behind on rent in Alabama, you’re not out of options. Between statewide charities, church-run ministries, and local nonprofits, there’s real help available in most counties — you just have to know where to look.
We dug through every program on this page and checked it against current, official sources. Here’s what’s still accurate, what’s changed, and a few new resources we found along the way.
Statewide Alabama Rent Assistance Programs
Alabama has many statewide programs available. The nationwide Emergency Rental Assistance Program is available throughout Alabama. Additionally, Community Action Partnership and the Salvation Army are great resources that have locations throughout the state. Please keep reading for local resources!
Community Action Partnership
Community Action Partnership agencies have locations throughout Alabama. Most offer utility assistance, but not every location offers rent help too, so it’s worth confirming with your local office before you apply. Please keep this in mind as you contact your local Community Action Partnership to confirm services. For a list of their services and to make an appointment, please see your local agency’s website.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army offers social services throughout the state of Alabama. Many locations offer financial assistance for rent and/or utilities. Each location offers different services, so please call your local Salvation Army to verify.
Catholic Services
Many Catholic Social Services offices provide rent relief to various areas of Alabama, including:
- The Catholic Center of Concern operates through the Diocese of Birmingham with locations in Birmingham, Huntsville, Gadsden, Eutaw, and Tuscaloosa. Together, these centers cover most of North and Central Alabama with rent, utility, and prescription assistance.
- Catholic Social Services of West Alabama offers food and financial assistance to residents of Marion, Winston, Walker, Lamar, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Hale, Marengo, and Fayette counties.
There may be other Catholic services available in your area.
Other Resources
We have found many specialized grant programs that can provide help with your rent across Alabama and even in other states. Most of them are listed in our Rent Relief Roundup, so check it out for additional resources.
Local Alabama Rent Assistance Programs
Alabama has many local rent assistance programs throughout the whole state! Many of these programs are run by churches and small organizations. Funding changes so it is always a good idea to call or email to confirm their services. The local rent assistance programs are organized for you here by county or city.
Interfaith Ministries provides help with rent, utilities, transportation, prescriptions and other essential needs through their Emergency Assistance program. In order to be eligible, you must be a resident of Calhoun County, complete an application, and provide documentation. You can only get help once per year. Details here.
Hearts of Cleburne offers rent and utility assistance to Cleburne County residents. You’ll need picture ID and Social Security cards for everyone in the household, plus proof of income. The most they can offer is $300. If you are interested, you can apply online.
The Christian Mission Center in Enterprise runs a Benevolence Assistance Program covering rent, mortgage, utilities, hotel costs, transportation, childcare, medical equipment loans, food, and thrift store vouchers.
The Caring Center at First Baptist Church of Montgomery offers financial assistance and other services. They accept applicaitons only on the first and third Thursday of each month. You can receive help once every three yeras, but they usually cannot pay the whole amount owed.
The Catholic Center of Concern operates through the Diocese of Birmingham with locations in Birmingham, Huntsville, Gadsden, Eutaw, and Tuscaloosa. Together, these centers cover most of North and Central Alabama with rent, utility, and prescription assistance. Each location sets its own hours and application process, so start with the location nearest you.
Etowah Baptist Missions Center also offers rent assistance alongside other services, though they require a two-year wait between instances of assistance from them specifically.
The Christian Mission Center in Enterprise runs a Benevolence Assistance Program covering rent, mortgage, utilities, hotel costs, transportation, childcare, medical equipment loans, food, and thrift store vouchers.
Greater Birmingham Ministries (GBM) offers rent and utility assistance to Birmingham-area residents through its Direct Services program. Funding is limited to 16 households a month, and your household income can’t exceed $37,010 a year to qualify.
Catholic Social Services of West Alabama, based in Tuscaloosa, offers food and financial assistance to residents of certain West Alabama counties, including rent assistance for those who bring a lease and a landlord-completed “Landlord Letter” to their appointment. You can only get help once every 12 months, and you must schedule an appointment in advance. Details here.
St. Mary of the Mission in Opelika, part of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, may also help parish-area residents.
The Caring Center at First Baptist Church of Montgomery offers financial assistance and other services. They accept applicaitons only on the first and third Thursday of each month. You can receive help once every three yeras, but they usually cannot pay the whole amount owed.
Catholic Social Services of West Alabama, based in Tuscaloosa, offers food and financial assistance to residents of certain West Alabama counties, including rent assistance for those who bring a lease and a landlord-completed “Landlord Letter” to their appointment. You can only get help once every 12 months, and you must schedule an appointment in advance. Details here.
St. Joseph Catholic Parish and Holy Spirit Catholic Church, both in Huntsville, run local Society of St. Vincent de Paul chapters that may assist parish-area residents.
HAP: Huntsville Assistance Program and Clearing House offers financial assistance and referrals to Madison County residents. You can only get help once every 12 months.
St. Joseph Catholic Parish and Holy Spirit Catholic Church, both in Huntsville, run local Society of St. Vincent de Paul chapters that may assist parish-area residents.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul District Council of Mobile offers services to Mobile-area residents. Most SVdP councils provide emergency rent assistance, but availability varies, so confirm directly.
The Caring Center at First Baptist Church of Montgomery offers financial assistance and other services. They accept applicaitons only on the first and third Thursday of each month. You can receive help once every three yeras, but they usually cannot pay the whole amount owed.
Holy Spirit Parish, part of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, may also help parish-area residents.
Beltline Church of Christ in Decatur has run a benevolence program for over 25 years. Their procedures for getting help has changed. As the Church’s goal is to help people take steps toward faith, they want you to attend a Sunday Morning Service in order to request assistance. Learn more about the Next Steps program here.
Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministry (CVEM), based in Columbus, GA, serves Russell County with rent assistance and other services on a first-come, first-served basis. The form opens and closes throughout the month so you may need to check back periodically.
Shelby Emergency Assistance (SEA) provides rent assistance and other social services through a licensed social worker. You must apply for housing help between the 1st and the 10th of the month.
Catholic Social Services of West Alabama, based in Tuscaloosa, offers food and financial assistance to residents of certain West Alabama counties, including rent assistance for those who bring a lease and a landlord-completed “Landlord Letter” to their appointment. You can only get help once every 12 months, and you must schedule an appointment in advance. Details here.
Is Alabama’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Still Open?
No. Alabama’s statewide Emergency Rental Assistance program, run through the Alabama Housing Finance Authority, closed to new applications on December 15, 2022. The federal ERA funding behind it wound down completely by the end of September 2025. If you see this program mentioned elsewhere online, that information is outdated — there’s no way to apply for it today. The resources below are what’s actually available now.
Relief Recap
Alabama’s pandemic-era rent relief money is gone, but the state’s network of churches, Community Action Partnerships, and Catholic Charities offices has quietly kept helping people stay housed the whole time — you just won’t find it in one central government portal anymore. If nothing here fits your county, our nationwide list of rent relief programs covers organizations that help renters no matter where they live in the U.S.
Im a resident of bibb county ala i am a full time college student and and a month and a half behind on my rent. I have. Lease. Is it any programs that can at least help me catch up to alleviate some of the stress off my shoulders. I was also laid off from ups back in January
Jennifer, I’m so sorry you’re dealing with all of that—falling behind on rent after losing a job is incredibly stressful.
You might want to look into options here:
https://lowincomerelief.com/rent-relief/
https://lowincomerelief.com/hardship-grants/
These may help with catching up on rent or covering urgent expenses. Since you’re in Alabama, you can also try contacting local community action agencies or your school—many colleges have emergency funds for students facing situations like this. You can also call 211 and ask about rental assistance programs in Bibb County.
We really hope you’re able to get some relief and get back on your feet soon.