I face eviction without help with back rent in Tuscaloosa

(Request from Steffany in Tuscaloosa, Alabama) I live in Tuscaloosa in these Student Housing apartments called The Avenue. I’m currently about $1400 dollars behind on rent. My mother is single and pays her own rent and has her own financial struggles, while my dad does nothing. I work 2 jobs and attend the University of Alabama on a 16 hour schedule. Unfortunately, even with 2 jobs, I have low check amounts due to corporate being unable to give more hours and I am expected to pay for gas, rent, school, and food. I have seven days to pay off this balance else I have to leave the premises. Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated.

Dear Steffany,

There are a couple of approaches to consider on helping you avoid the hardships associated with an eviction. We certainly want to make sure that you are able to take care of your living situation so that you may focus on your studies.

Before we consider Tuscaloosa rental assistance programs that are designed to help lower income members of the general public, I recommend looking to see what assistance may be available through the school. Off Campus Resources staff are available to discuss alternative arrangements that might allow you more time to catch up on the arrears. Call 205-348-6676 to see what options may be available. Grant programs that help with back rent in Tuscaloosa are generally not offered through the school.

There may be campus jobs that provide more hours than what you are currently getting through one or both of your new jobs. You may review the UA campus jobs to see what may be available and determine whether these are better than one of your current jobs.

Tuscaloosa Rental Assistance Programs

There may be some off-campus opportunities for assisting with your late rent. Tuscaloosa rental assistance programs are especially helpful since they are primarily grant-based. This means that if you receive funding from one the agencies that you would not be required to repay it.

  • Love Inc provides referrals for bill help.
  • Community Service Programs of West Alabama offers affordable housing.
  • United Way of West Alabama can match you with partner organizations that can help.

Call 211 to be connected with the United Way so that you may benefit from one of these or other programs. Since grant funding changes, it is possible that new programs may launch. The United Way can connect you if there is additional funding available.

Help with Back Rent

You should note that whenever a rental aid program helps with back rent, they do so because they believe that you can ordinarily afford your rent but have fallen behind due to a temporary crisis. It appears that since you are not earning enough to afford your current rent payments, you may need a new place to live.

Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is available through the Tuscaloosa Housing Authority. This is public housing that can take the form of public housing projects. Alternatively some participants receive rent subsidies that allow them to live in private rental properties in ordinary neighborhoods. Those subsidies are paid through housing choice vouchers. All of these forms of rental subsidies are paid through the federal Section 8 program.

As a student, it is strongly encouraged that you first work through the school to determine what options may be available. You may even need to visit the financial aid office if you are falling short on funds. They may be able to provide you with addition grant funding or student loans to allow you to complete your studies without worrying about an eviction.