Housing Forward

About Housing Forward

Housing Forward’s grantmaking is built around a homeless response system rather than a conventional open-call foundation model. Its work centers on homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, diversion, and the data and coordination infrastructure that supports those efforts across Dallas and Collin Counties. The foundation is also the local lead for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, where it and the All Neighbors Coalition manage partner funding tied to a $9.3M HUD award to prevent and end youth homelessness. The recent grants list shows that Housing Forward uses general operating support as a primary tool for organizations working in the local homelessness system. Catholic Charities of Dallas appears repeatedly with large general-support awards, including a 2025 grant of $1,417,344. Under 1 Roof also receives recurring support, including 2025 grants of $992,195 and $899,728. Austin Street Center, The Bridge Homeless Recovery, The Stewpot, and City Square are other recurring recipients in the same Dallas-based network. That pattern suggests a funder that backs both direct service providers and the system-level organizations coordinating rehousing, case management, and housing stability work.

What Housing Forward Funds

Housing Forward’s strongest programmatic emphasis is on rehousing. Through the R.E.A.L. Time Rehousing Initiative, it administers public and private resources to rapidly rehouse vulnerable individuals and families in Dallas and Collin Counties. The same system-level approach appears in its FY2025 Continuum of Care Local Competition, where the All Neighbors Coalition reviews and ranks renewal and new project applications before they move into the HUD submission process. Youth homelessness is another clear focus. Housing Forward and the All Neighbors Coalition serve as the local YHDP lead, using the community’s $9.3M HUD award to implement the Coordinated Community Plan and support youth-focused projects. The foundation also funds practical barrier-removal. Its Flex Fund pays for items such as application fees, security deposits, utility deposits or arrears, rental arrears, and government/state IDs to help households prevent or end homelessness. In Irving, its Systemwide Diversion Initiative funds diversion assessors, diversion case managers, and short-term financial assistance.

How Housing Forward Gives