The City of Homewood is partnering with HICA Alabama to provide financial assistance to residents of the Park at Buckingham who are facing an unexpected relocation.

Significant life safety concerns were identified within portions of the Park at Buckingham. While the City of Homewood does not own or manage the property, the City has a responsibility to protect the safety of the people who live there. Residents have been encouraged to begin making relocation plans as soon as possible.

To assist with that process, the Homewood City Council unanimously approved $25,000 in seed funding during the August 10 City Council meeting. This will be used for an emergency assistance fund that will be administered by HICA Alabama. The fund will help eligible Park at Buckingham residents with expenses associated with relocating, including moving costs, deposits and first month’s rent.

But City officials expect the financial need associated with relocation to be much greater than the initial $25,000 contribution and are asking the community to consider contributing to the fund. Members of the public who would like to help can donate directly through HICA Alabama using the button above.

There will be a maximum amount of up to $1,000 that each household will be eligible to receive. HICA has established procedures to make sure assistance reaches eligible Park at Buckingham residents and is used for its intended purpose. Residents applying for assistance will be required to provide appropriate documentation. HICA will track assistance provided, and payments will be made directly to vendors when applicable. For example, assistance with moving expenses would be paid directly to the moving company, while assistance with a deposit or first month’s rent would be paid directly to the new housing provider.

Approximately 400 residents were impacted by this situation. Of those, 125 are Homewood students, including 50 elementary school students, 32 middle school students and 43 high school students, nine of the high school students are seniors. Homewood City Schools has committed to allowing students already enrolled for the upcoming school year to remain in their Homewood schools through the end of the school year, applying the federal McKinney-Vento law, even if their families relocate outside the city.

The City will continue to work alongside HICA, Homewood City Schools, Homewood Fire Department and other community partners to provide residents with information and connect families with available resources as they make decisions about their next steps.