The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every resident in Northern Virginia – but the most vulnerable of our neighbors have felt those impacts the harshest. Lost wages and lost jobs due to the pandemic have thousands of residents facing difficult decisions of how to make ends meet for their family and be able to pay their rent. For some these decisions have come down to whether they even have the ability to purchase essential needs like food or medical care.

On January 9, 2021, the Northern Virginia Housing Expo will host a FREE workshop to help low- and moderate-income households impacted by COVID-19 connect with available resources and rental assistance programs administered by local governments. Sessions will be in both English (11 a.m.) and Spanish (1 p.m.). Presenters will include representatives from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County and the Cities of Alexandria and Falls Church.

“The NOVA Housing Expo is entering it’s 12 year as the region’s largest gathering of housing-related expertise, resources and information geared toward helping individuals and families have access to affordable, stable housing and advance along the path of self-sufficiency,” said Executive Director Laura Nickle. “Our kick-off workshop on COVID-19 Rental Assistance Resources has great significance and is urgently needed right now by our most vulnerable residents. There is no greater need than putting them in connection with the resources that can help them meet their rent and ensure that they and their families have a safe and stable place they can call home at such a critical time.”

For additional information and access to this and other workshops scheduled during the 2021 NOVA Housing Expo, visit https://novahousingexpo.org/virtworkshops.html.