Alisha's Pieces

06/14/2026

05/06/2026

More than 300 families in Virginia were facing eviction until a historic Black church stepped in and paid off their $1 million debt.

Alfred Street Baptist Church partnered with Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins after the city's Redevelopment and Housing Authority reported losing more than $1 million in unpaid rent from 445 of 1,000 public housing units. ARHA pointed to job market challenges, the rising cost of living, and lingering effects from the pandemic.

Nearly half of ARHA housing residents had debt on their accounts and were facing eviction. On Easter Sunday, Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley told his congregation the partnership raised more than $1 million. "You have helped stop the eviction of 338 families to the cost of $1,049,000," he said.

The church previously gave over $130,000 to clear college balances for 11 graduates.