LIHCA is a coalition of Alabamians that joined together to address the housing crisis in our state and increase housing opportunities for those with the greatest financial need.

UPDATE ON HB512

The Alabama legislature ended its 2010 session on April 22, 2010. House Bill 512 (HB512), the bill that would enable the creation of an affordable housing trust fund for Alabama, passed unanimously in the House. However, there were only 2 days left in the session when it headed to the Senate and there was not enough time to pass the bill this year.

We have made great strides this year in supporting this bill – and LIHCA will continue to work to create a state housing trust fund because it will help provide much needed housing for Alabamians with the greatest financial need including working families, seniors, people with disabilities and others who cannot afford a place to call home.

LIHCA wants to thank Representative Patricia Todd who has been our legislative champion and who has promised to continue to support this bill until it gets passed! 

Please check back in late 2010 for more information about the 2011 legislative session and LIHCA's plans to support a housing trust fund bill.

View HB512

Alabama is one of only 6 states that do not have a Housing Trust Fund. Housing Trust Funds are an innovative way to fund the production, preservation, and rehabilitation of affordable housing units. We need a Housing Trust Fund in Alabama to give working families, seniors, people with disabilities, and other Alabamians in need the opportunity to live in a safe, decent, and affordable home.

Want to learn more about what a housing trust fund is? Click on the links below.

Housing Trust Fund Information from Alabama Arise
Housing Trust Fund Project, Center for Community Change

Do you know who your legislators are? If the answer is NO, find out at the Alabama State Legislature's website.

Who we are:

The affordable housing crisis in Alabama has reached staggering proportions. Based on data from the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Alabama has an estimated shortage of 44,673 affordable and available housing units[1]. Compounding this problem is the fact there is no clear policy or statewide coalition designated to address this matter…until now.

A number of local and statewide advocates have created the Low Income Housing Coalition of Alabama (LIHCA) to address the housing crisis and increase housing opportunities for Alabamians with the greatest financial need.

Currently, the 15-member Board of Directors is comprised of statewide advocates who are working together to implement LIHCA's mission to increase housing opportunities for Alabamians with the greatest financial need. Year One goals were to establish a solid membership base, advocate for a low-income Housing Trust Fund, and solidify nonprofit status for the group.

For more information about upcoming LIHCA events or to become a member of LIHCA, please visit the links below and to the left.

THE ALABAMA LANDLORD TENANT ACT

Click here to gain access to The Alabama Tenants’ Handbook and HB287, the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. For a Spanish version of the handbook, click here>>.

Are you interested in ordering a paper copy of the handbook? If so, please contact Becky Blalock at 205-939-0411 Ext.210.

WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN ALABAMA

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is designed to reduce energy costs for individuals by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. This program is available through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy and is administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Individuals are eligible if their income is below 200% of the federally established poverty level. For more information on this program, click here>>

GOVERNMENT UPDATES

HUD releases "Worst Case Housing Needs" Report to Congress
HUD has released its latest study, Worst Case Housing Needs 2007: A Report to Congress. This is the 12th in a series of reports designed to measure the scale of critical housing problems facing low-income American rental households. To access this report, click here>>

National Housing Trust Fund Needs Funding
The National Low Income Housing Coalition is urging Congress to provide initial funding for the National Housing Trust Fund. For more information on how to sign on to this letter, please click here>>

National Housing Trust Fund signed into law on July 30, 2008.
President Bush signed into law the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (H.R. 3221). This is the comprehensive housing bill containing the Housing Trust Fund and its initial dedicated source of funding. For more information about the National Housing Trust Fund, please visit the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s website at http://www.nlihc.org or the Center for Community Change’s website at http://www.communitychange.org.

A Report by Alabama Arise
Released: July 23, 2008

View Report >>

LIHCA will host quarterly meetings in 2010 (February 18, May 20, July 15, October 21). See below for details about the August meeting. Please check back frequently for any updates.

Next Quarterly Meeting: August 19, 2010
Meeting Location: Auburn United Methodist Church
137 S. Gay Street
Auburn, AL 36831
(334) 826-8800

If you are interested in attending a membership meeting but are not yet a member, please fill out the membership form at the left of this page and send it in to LIHCA. For more information, please contact Ashley Kerr at 205-939-0411 Ext. 205.

TOWN HALL MEETINGS

LIHCA wants to go on the road! LIHCA is in the process of scouting locations for Town Hall meetings in 2010 and would like to hear from you if you think your town can host a meeting. If you are interested in hosting a Town Hall meeting to introduce LIHCA to your community, please contact Ashley Kerr at 205-939-0411 Ext. 205 or ashley@collaborative-solutions.net.

Please check back periodically for an updated schedule.

LIHCA AWARDED GRANT FROM THE MARY REYNOLDS BABCOCK FOUNDATION

LIHCA has been awarded a one-year grant from the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation to support education and advocacy efforts to increase housing opportunities for Alabamians with the greatest financial need. To read the entire press release, click here>>

MAKE A DONATION TO LIHCA

Together we are working towards ending the affordable housing crisis in Alabama. Join us in the fight today and make a donation to LIHCA>>


[1] National Low Income Housing Coalition Congressional District Profile Study, January 2007