$1M Gift Clears Rent for 318 Alexandria Families
Alfred Street Baptist Church steps in as eviction risks rise, wiping out past-due balances and giving hundreds a fresh start
ALEXANDRIA, VA – Alexandria rent relief is making a life-changing impact for hundreds of local families. Alfred Street Baptist Church has donated $1 million to eliminate back rent for 318 households at risk of eviction, according to Fox 5.
The funds, distributed through local housing programs, cleared debts that in some cases reached as high as $30,000.
Senior Pastor Howard-John Wesley said the church took action after learning that “about three hundred…families…are about to be evicted,” he told Fox 5.
Many of the impacted families had fallen behind due to job loss, health challenges, and rising costs. For those receiving help, the relief was immediate and deeply personal. One resident called the support “life-changing,” while another said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you…for the blessing I received,” describing it as “God’s work,” according to Fox 5.
Church leaders said the effort was fueled by donations from tens of thousands of members and supporters and came after conversations with city leaders about the growing number of residents in subsidized housing facing eviction.
Beginning April 1, families saw their rent debts fully cleared—offering not just financial relief, but renewed stability and hope.
