Donations Wanted To Limit Evictions In Fairfax During Pandemic

FAIRFAX, VA — Fairfax-based nonprofit Britepaths is seeking donations to fund its October 2020 eviction prevention campaign, with a goal of raising $150,000 to meet the increasing demand for rental assistance from Fairfax County families who are falling behind on their rent due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Under the campaign, “There’s No Place Like Home,” families in need of assistance are referred to Britepaths by Fairfax County social workers, with the funds getting paid directly to landlords.

For many residents struggling to pay their rent, Britepaths is "the frontline help, and our supporters are their intervention," Britepaths Executive Director Lisa Whetzel said Thursday in a statement. "We hope our community will give generously to fill the gap for our neighbors who are struggling.”

The public can donate funds via Britepaths’ secure online donation page at britepaths.org, or mail a check to 3959 Pender Drive, Suite 200, Fairfax, VA 22030. Write “Home” in the memo line. Corporate and community sponsorships also are welcome, the group said.

Britepaths is seeking financial donations through Oct. 31. For more information, phone 703-273-8829, or email sbryant@britepaths.org.

"While there have been episodic halts on evictions in the past few months, the harsh reality is that these are forbearances, not forgiveness," Whetzel said. "Rent has continued to accrue even if income has stopped."

The “There’s No Place Like Home” campaign is a beneficiary of Oakton-based Unity of Fairfax’s Halloween Virtual 5K/1K Run-Walk-Roll on Oct. 31.

In addition to financial assistance, Britepaths and the Financial Empowerment Center at South County offer free virtual financial counseling, job readiness and resume assistance, workshops and more to help community members assess and improve their situations.

Britepaths supporters Kim and Pete Scudera provided a founding grant of $25,000 for the "There's No Place Like Home" campaign.

Whetzel said thousands of Fairfax County residents have been threatened with eviction during this ongoing pandemic. “Our local and state officials are doing what they can to identify and fill in the gaps, but families are in need now," she said. "The political winds are shifting daily. For the sake of our neighbors, we simply cannot wait for government support or intervention to arrive in time."

Britepaths is in its 36th year of providing assistance to individuals and families in Fairfax County area. During COVID-19, Britepaths also is providing food assistance to Fairfax County residents in crisis.