Virginia Church Donates $1M to Save 338 Families From Eviction

When Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins discovered that hundreds of families faced eviction over unpaid rent, she knew the city couldn't handle the fallout alone. The Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority had lost over $1 million from 445 of its 1,000 public housing units, with individual families owing anywhere from $50 to nearly $30,000.

Job losses, rising costs, and lingering effects from the pandemic had pushed vulnerable families to the brink. If evictions proceeded, the city would face an overwhelming homelessness crisis.

Gaskins turned to the Mayor's Interfaith Council for help. Rev. Howard-John Wesley of Alfred Street Baptist Church stepped up with an extraordinary solution.

The church, which has served the Alexandria community since 1803, pledged $1 million to wipe out the debt completely. Congregants had raised the funds during their annual SEEK action, a time of fasting and prayer held earlier this year.

"You have helped stop the eviction of 338 families to the cost of $1,049,000," Wesley announced to his congregation at a recent service. "Every single penny is going outside the door of the church."

The donation will flow through the nonprofit ACT for Alexandria, which will verify ledger balances before distributing funds to ARHA. An independent accountant will ensure proper distribution.

The Ripple Effect

The church isn't stopping at rent relief. Alfred Street Baptist and other local congregations, including Shiloh Baptist, are organizing individual meetings with each affected resident to create stability plans and prevent future crises.

These faith groups will fund follow-up services like food banks and job training programs. The goal is lasting change, not just temporary relief.

"We have a duty to help our neighbors and look after the least of these, because that's what Jesus said we should do," said Rev. Taft Quincey Heatley of Shiloh Baptist Church.

Mayor Gaskins is also addressing problems within ARHA leadership. The city fired the agency's CEO last year after discovering he lived in a public housing unit while 38,000 people waited for homes.

New internal systems and staff changes are coming to prevent future financial issues. Wesley acknowledged the leadership problems but refused to let politics stop him from helping families in need.

"People want to be connected to something bigger than themselves," Wesley told reporters, "and in the midst of days and times which seem so callous and cruel to people who are impoverished, here's a way to make a difference."