Arlington leaders fear that federal cuts could threaten local and region-wide efforts that have helped prevent homelessness from ballooning in challenging economic times.
Arlington typically receives about $4.2 million in annual federal “continuum-of-care” grants. “If we have reduced federal support, it could risk a lot,” County Board member Julius “JD” Spain, Sr. said in a June 17 meeting.
“The data is suggesting, in many ways, that our regional investment in housing [and] homelessness services is actively helping with some of the stabilization,” Spain said.
Despite the efforts, “every jurisdiction has its challenges” in crafting solutions to homelessness, he said.
During the briefing, Board Chair Matt de Ferranti praised efforts of the county’s Department of Human Services and partners such as PathForward in providing services and outreach. Those efforts continue, he said.
“We have been able to get many people to come in for services — but not everybody,” de Ferranti said.
In Arlington, 268 individuals were counted as either on the streets or in shelters during the Feb. 4 point-in-time survey conducted by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
That’s down 1% from the 271 individuals counted in 2025, according to data reported by regional leaders in May.
Across the metro area, the total number of those counted as homeless was 9,790 in 2026, up 1% from 9,659 in 2025.
Arlington’s year-over-year decline, though modest, compared to increases reported in Alexandria (up 14% to 189) and Fairfax County (up 3% to 1,356). D.C. accounted for more than half of the region’s homelessness count, with numbers rising 4% to 5,363 in the 2026 data.
Arlington’s homelessness rate stood at 1.1 per 1,000 residents, in line with both Fairfax County/Falls Church (1.1) and Alexandria (1.2). For the region, the rate was 1.8 per 1,000 residents; excluding D.C., the rate was 0.9 per 1,000.
In delivering the data, Spain said a combination of local and regional efforts were needed to tackle the issue, along with a federal commitment to funding.
“No single jurisdiction, at the end of the day, can address homelessness in and of itself,” he said.
Federal funding cuts could come at a time the region is putting resources into addressing an emerging trend: homelessness among seniors.
“Older adults experiencing homelessness face unique vulnerabilities due to health or mobility limitations,” the Point-in-Time survey reported.
“They may also have more significant health concerns not typically seen in homeless services systems, such as Alzheimer’s disease or cancer,” the report said.
Arlington officials also are working to address a year-over-year increase in the county among those considered chronically homeless.
