Montgomery assistance programs.

Help with housing and rent.

Federal government stimulus funds will be flowing to Montgomery Alabama. The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program will provide almost $1 million into the Montgomery area over the next few years. The money being provided is part of the stimulus plan, officially called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Grants will be provided for those affected by the weak economy or by those who are at imminent risk of losing their home but who are expected to return to work in due order.

How the HPRP program works is it will actually pay rent and utility bills, provide help with paying utility deposits, partial moving expenses, hotel or motel vouchers, and it will also provide for a limited amount of case management services related to either at-risk housing issues or their homelessness.

Aid will be given to those in need to the point that people who are struggling can get back on their feet. People can receive rent assistance for up to 18 months maximum.

Families in need of rent help or housing assistance can receive help from many charity organizations, such as Family Promise (251-441-1991), which is an agency in which churches share their resources and facilities with homeless families and those on the verge of losing their home thorough the community. Through the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), the various churches that are part of the program provide meals, safe lodging, meals and encouragement to families while they are going through emergencies. Find other church assistance programs.

 

 

 

Emergency financial help for paying bills, rent, and expenses

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church - Provides utility bill and rent assistance when funds are available. Need to call on Monday mornings. (334) 262-6881

Montgomery Community Action Committee & CDC, Inc. - This is the local community action agency that helps the working poor, and tries to ensure long term self-sufficiency. Programs offered include.

• Rent or mortgage help - Qualified households may get assistance with rental or mortgage payments to households in danger of becoming homeless through unforeseen circumstances, such as an eviction or foreclosure.
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program - Grants and funds to pay electric bill, heating, summer cooling expenses, and other utility assistance.
• Prescriptions - Vouchers may help pay for medications
• Foreclosure counseling and eviction prevention
• Emergency Food Voucher - This government funded program provides food vouchers to families on a temporary emergency basis.
• Christmas and holiday programs - Access meals, gifts, and other forms of holiday assistance.
• Weatherization - The government funded Weatherization Program has a goal of reducing energy bills of low to moderate income families by providing home repairs that can help in reducing energy bills.

Call the Montgomery Community Action Committee & CDC, Inc. at (334) 263-3474

First Baptist Church Community Ministries - For financial assistance or help paying bills and expenses (such as rent, mortgage, utilities) you must call for appointment at 8:30 am on Mondays only. Appointment for aid will also be scheduled for that day. Household items and furniture are also available from time to time from the ministry. This aid is offered from an outreach program sponsored by First Baptist Church Community Ministries. Call (334) 262-2273.

Frazer Community Ministries of Montgomery Alabama (phone (334) 260-3656) may be able to provide financial assistance in a crisis or emergency situation to qualified individuals. The applicant must be employed full-time and facing an unexpected crisis. Assistance offered by the program is limited to rent, mortgage and utility bill assistance, but may assist with other requests in special situations.

Catholic Social Services of Montgomery provides free food, clothing, cooling and utility bill assistance. The programs may be provided to individuals and families who are in crisis due to loss of job or other emergency hardships. In addition, an on site thrift store provides low-cost clothing and household items to the Montgomery Alabama community, as well as emergency assistance to families in crisis. Call (334) 288-8890.

Beulah Baptist Church - Provides free food, utility assistance, clothes closet  to those in need of help. Call (334) 265-2697.

 

 

Credit and housing counseling, including foreclosure assistance

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Alabama - This non-profit provides confidential financial counseling and advice for those homeowners and people in debt who are in need of assistance with repayment of debt, foreclosure prevention, budgeting, credit repair and other related issues. Consumer Credit Counseling services offered by this agency include debt management/repayment programs, budget/money management counseling, foreclosure and mortgage help, consumer education programs, comprehensive housing counseling, and other credit and housing programs. Call (334) 265-8545

Free legal aid and assistance

Legal Services Alabama ((251) 433-6560) can provide free legal representation to low income individuals and families with civil legal problems. Their main areas of legal support include eviction from private and public housing; helping on claims for SSI, social security, foreclosure prevention advice, food stamps, Family Assistance (ADC) and unemployment compensation; health care, divorces and protection from abuse- both limited to abuse victims; defending debt collection lawsuits; chapter 7 bankruptcy for people at risk of immediate loss of wages, and suing debt collectors.

Health care clinics in Montgomery

Community Care Network - This is a non-profit organization that provides free medical and health care services to uninsured, underinsured, or otherwise medically undeserved populations living in rural or high risk urban areas. The organization currently has mobile health care and community clinics in Montgomery and Lowndes Alabama. (334) 269-6251

Health Services Inc. - This center serves as a medical home and offers primary health care, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, and preventive health services. Specifically medical services include pharmacy, medical, dentistry, medications, and social services. Specialized services include internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology (except for Lister Hill Health Center location), WIC, and family planning services. Medicaid eligibility services are also available on site. Some health care is offered on a sliding scale fee. (334) 832-4338.

Free health care in Montgomery Alabama can be received from Medical Outreach Ministries. They provide a full range of family medicine for patients age 19-64 except prenatal and obstetrics to the uninsured and medically under served. Call (334) 281-8008, or learn more on free health care programs.

Food pantry and assistance programs

The following churches, charities, and non-profits may provide free food, groceries, and/or household products. Catoma Baptist Church ((334) 265-2881). The Church of The Holy Comforter runs a food pantry that people can use once every 30 days at most. (334) 281-1337. First Baptist Church offers both food and clothes. (334) 263-6369. Freewill Baptist Church is another option. (334) 262-2205