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Path Forward expanded dramatically in 2025, but CEO Betsy Frantz said looming federal changes could put $3.2 million in housing funds at risk and force some residents into different programs in 2026.
The Arlington nonprofit added the 42-bed Residential Program Center on Columbia Pike, giving it two shelters for adult men and women in the county. Its full-time staff grew from 60 to 85, while a new Arlington County contract increased the organization’s annual program budget from $8 million to $12.6 million.
Even with that growth, Frantz emphasized that shelters are not permanent homes. Path Forward’s primary goal remains moving clients into stable housing. The organization currently supports formerly homeless residents in 200 scattered apartments.
Arlington County also awarded Path Forward an additional contract to extend its medical services to Doorways and Bridges to Independence. Staff visit each organization weekly to provide flu and COVID-19 vaccines and general medical care.
Path Forward continues to operate five respite beds at its Homeless Services Center and sends a mobile medical van to people living on the street. Outreach teams begin around 3:45 a.m., when unhoused residents are more likely to be gathered in one place. They distribute meals, encourage people to enter shelters and bring a nurse to provide care, including treatment for foot problems and wounds.
Frantz said 41 people remained outside during a recent night when the temperature fell to 21 degrees.
Housing programs face an uncertain 2026
The organization is preparing for major changes to housing programs financed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Frantz said Path Forward expects the $4 million it receives for those programs to be reduced by 70%, placing approximately $3.2 million in jeopardy.
She also said a Trump administration executive order would impose new eligibility restrictions affecting gay, transgender and undocumented residents in HUD-funded housing, while requiring residents to be classified as male or female. Frantz contrasted those anticipated rules with the diversity requirements in place when Path Forward originally sought the funding.
Path Forward had expected the changes in November, she said, but the federal government shutdown delayed them until 2026.
A working group is coordinating with Arlington County and other organizations to move people who may no longer qualify to remain in HUD-funded housing at Culpepper into other programs.
The nonprofit’s other major priority for 2026 is bringing the practices used at the Homeless Services Center into the new Residential Program Center. That effort will include standardizing operations, enforcing rules and strengthening the organization’s infrastructure after its rapid growth.