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Three older adults, two wearing "Live United" shirts, stand together smiling in front of a colorful mural — UWCA connects Central Alabama seniors with resources that support independent living, housing and more. (UWCA)

Having a place to call home matters. And when that stability is suddenly at risk, knowing where to turn for help can make all the difference.

For seniors and their families, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) is one place to start, connecting people with housing assistance and other resources, while working with them to figure out that important next step.

Read on for three housing resources for seniors and caregivers in Central Alabama, plus a real-life story that shows what that support can look like.

3 key resources for housing instability

How the UWCA team goes above + beyond

Behind every housing challenge is someone trying to figure out what comes next.

For one local veteran and his wife experiencing homelessness, getting help started with a friend giving them a ride to UWCA to meet with Priority Veteran staff. Unfortunately, while they were inside discussing services, their friend’s car broke down in the parking lot.

While Priority Veteran staff continued working with the couple on housing, three other members of the UWCA team mobilized to help their friend with the car. Staff were able to get the vehicle started, but the couple still needed a reliable way to get to their temporary housing.

Rather than waiting for their friend to return, Priority Veteran staff connected with UWCA’s Ride United program to arrange transportation for the couple to a hotel.

By the end of the day, the veteran and his wife had a safe place to stay for the night.

This is just a small snapshot of UWCA in action: multiple people and programs across the organization quickly uniting to help people get through difficult moments.

It also highlights something important: people who need help usually don’t know which program to call, and that’s if they know about available resources at all. That’s where UWCA shines, connecting people with the right resources in life’s difficult moments.

Read on for three resources available.

1. Priority Veteran housing assistance for veterans + families

two staff members from UWCA's Priority Veteran smiling — Collaboration makes working at Priority Veteran helpful for those they serve. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

So, what exactly does Priority Veteran do? The program helps veterans and their families who are facing homelessness or at immediate risk of losing their housing.

Priority Veteran can connect veterans with:

Housing search + placement
Transportation services
Supportive services
State + local benefits i.e. SNAP, TANF, WIC

Who it serves:

Veterans + their families
Veterans experiencing homelessness or at immediate risk of losing housing
Veterans across Alabama, excluding Baldwin and Mobile counties, and throughout the Florida Panhandle

The impact: Priority Veteran has helped 1,097 veterans and their families in about one year, according to Rocky Harrison, VP of Community Initiatives and Programs, Veteran Services at United Way of Central Alabama.

Think Priority Veteran could be the right fit for you or someone you know? Find out more and see if you qualify.

2. UWCA’s 211 Call Center can help with housing challenges

UWCA’s 211 is a free resource for finding local help when you need it most. (UWCA)

Sometimes, housing challenges start with something small—a utility bill piles up or a home repair gets pushed to another month. Getting connected to the right support early can help keep a difficult situation from becoming a housing crisis.

UWCA’s 211 can connect you with:

Emergency shelters
Affordable + subsidized housing
Rental + mortgage assistance
Utility assistance
Home repairs

Get connected:

Call: 211
What to expect: A 211 specialist will listen to your situation, help identify your needs + connect you with local resources.
Not sure what you need? That’s okay. You don’t need to know the name of a program. Just explain what’s going on, and they can help you figure out where to start.

Learn more about UWCA’s 211 Call Center and how it can assist you.

3. UWCA’s Aging and Disability Resource Center

Senior woman using a cane smiles in her doorway, standing independently in her own home — UWCA connects Central Alabama seniors with resources to support independent living. (UWCA)

For seniors and family caregivers, UWCA’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is another place to turn when housing stability is at risk. For seniors, especially, being able to remain in their home can be an important part of housing stability

According to 2024 Census data reported by Census Report, nearly 11% of adults aged 65 and older live below the poverty line, on average, across our six-county region.

ADRC can connect you with:

Dental care
In-home care
Legal services
Transportation
Vision + hearing services

How to connect with UWCA’s Aging and Disability Resource Center:

Call: 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463)
When: Monday–Friday, 8AM–4:30PM
In person: Walk-ins + appointments at UWCA, 3600 8th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222
What to expect: A real person will listen, help identify your needs + connect you with resources.

Whether you’re looking for help for yourself, a parent or another senior you care about, UWCA can help you figure out where to start, whether that’s finding affordable housing, staying in your current home, getting help with a repair or finding emergency housing.

If you or a senior you know is facing a housing challenge, find the resources and support you need with UWCA.

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