Obtaining Rental Assistance - Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham

New Emergency Rental Assistance is now available through the City of Birmingham (ERAP) for Birmingham residents only. First priority will be given to those who previously applied and did not receive funds. Beginning June 12, 2022 to July 29, 2022 they will also accept applications from first time applicants. Visit https://www.birminghamal.gov/renthelp.

You may contact our office at (205) 250-5198 starting the week of May 30, 2022 for further information as it becomes available.

Latest Projects

Expungement Clinics

Charges on a person’s record—even those that have been dismissed or resolved—can serve as a barrier to employment, housing, benefits, education, and other life opportunities. An expungement can remove those items and give someone a second chance at life.

For individuals interested in removing misdemeanors, traffic violations, and non-convicted offenses from their record, VLB and partners from local agencies, law firms and businesses to host Expungement Clinics throughout the year. For future dates, to register, or to volunteer, please call (205) 250-5198, ext. 1.
Pro Hops Vino!

Pro Hops Vino! is a favorite event of the year and a great fundraiser for VLB. After a long pandemic hiatus, we’re busy working on a comeback for later this year. Watch this space for more information and check out the fun we’ve had in past years! Click here for more information.
Wills Clinics

Our neighborhood Wills Clinics help families and communities build generational wealth by safeguarding assets for future generations. Thanks to our law firm, business, and community partners, VLB hosts these clinics in historically low-income neighborhoods and helps clients who might otherwise not be able to afford these services with Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advance Directives. For information about registering or volunteering, please call (205) 250-5198, ext. 1.
Safe Housing

Once a month, on the third Tuesday, VLB has a special Help Desk for homeless clients at Firehouse Ministries. Our volunteers assist homeless clients with a variety of legal issues, but typically the most common area that VLB assists with is resolving legal barriers to gaining a form of legal identification. If you or someone you know needs assistance, you can click here for more information. If you’re a lawyer who would like to volunteer at the Homeless Help Desk, click here!
Safe Finances

Every other Tuesday and Thursday, VLB volunteer lawyers provide virtual help to low-income residents of Jefferson County with civil legal issues: small claims, landlord-tenant issues, and more. Please click here for a complete list of issues VLB can assist with at our Civil Help Desk and how you can receive assistance. If you’re an attorney who would like to volunteer at the Help Desk, click here!