Donation Website Created for Family Affected by Housing Violation

A donation website for a Manassas Park family being forced out of their home because of a is up and running.

Christin Cimino, her girlfriend Jessica Harris-Chaer and their two children rented a room at a Scott Drive residence in Manassas Park for a year and four months, not knowing that Manassas Park’s code prohibits more than one family living in a single family home that is located in a Single Family Residential District.

Manassas Park Code Enforcement officials put the owner of the property on notice and the family has to leave the home as soon as possible even though they have no where to go, Cimino said.

They didn't know the place they were renting was illegal until officials notified them, she added.

Both women work, but they are a low-income family and are having trouble finding a home under $1,000 in Northern Virginia, she said. 

They could barely afford to pay the $700 rent for living in the room in Manassas Park, she said.

They have reached out to nonprofit organizations, but most are stretched thin because so many people need help.

Cimino said she feels one nonprofit won't help them because they are gay.

"As soon as they hear the word, "lesbian" that's it," Cimino said. "But I understand because it's a religious organization."

The couple plans to find affordable housing through Prince William County Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rapid Rehousing, but the agency only accepts applications on the first Wednesday of every month, Cimino said.

A website has been created to raise money for the family to find a home and pay security fees, deposits and first month's rent which is expected to cost around $2,000. 

The website giveforward.com/jessicacalebharrishousingfund is named for Harris-Chaer and her son Caleb, who has Asbergers Syndrome.