PATH (People Assisting The Homeless)
Breaks the cycle of homelessness by providing housing and supportive services throughout California.
At a glance
Rating and filings checked Oct 12, 2026. Sources: Charity Navigator, IRS Form 990 via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. How we check
Is PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) a good charity?
Charity Navigator rates PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) 2 out of 4 stars (72%), below most charities in this directory — read its profile before giving. Its 2023 Form 990 reports $159.5M in revenue, up 148% from $64.2M in 2019, and $155.3M in expenses. Rating checked Oct 12, 2026.
Finances
From PATH (People Assisting The Homeless)'s annual IRS Form 990 filings (filed as People Assisting The Homeless).
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Officer & key staff pay | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $159.5M | $155.3M | $21.6M | $547K | |
| 2022 | $131.6M | $130.5M | $17.4M | $1.5M | 990 PDF |
| 2021 | $114.3M | $113.1M | $16.4M | $1.2M | |
| 2020 | $88.5M | $86.3M | $15.2M | $1.2M | 990 PDF |
| 2019 | $64.2M | $61.4M | $12.9M | $1.2M | 990 PDF |
A newer filing for 2024 is out but not yet summarized: read the 2024 Form 990 (PDF).
Officer & key staff pay is the 990's total for current officers, directors, trustees and key employees, not one salary.
What charities in housing & homelessness do
Housing-and-homelessness organizations operate across a continuum from emergency shelter to permanent supportive housing, with growing emphasis on the evidence-based "Housing First" model — providing stable housing before treating other issues. Strong nonprofits combine direct service (shelters, transitional housing, rapid rehousing) with case management, policy advocacy, and capital-development of new affordable housing units. Funding supports staff, rental subsidies, mental-health and addiction services, and capital costs for housing development.
How to judge charities in this area
Look for outcomes data on housing retention: how many people stayed housed 6, 12, and 24 months after exiting the program. Strong nonprofits track this; weak ones report only "people served." Built for Zero is the gold-standard methodology — organizations using it tend to deliver better results. Avoid charities that emphasize shelter-bed counts over permanent-housing outcomes.
How to support beyond a one-time gift
- + Donate cash, not goods — most shelters have very specific supply needs and can buy more efficiently than donated goods allow
- + Recurring monthly gifts are particularly valuable — housing programs require predictable revenue
- + Volunteer with case management, intake, or maintenance at a local shelter
- + Advocate for zoning reform in your municipality — restrictive zoning is the single biggest barrier to affordable housing
- + Use employer matching — homelessness organizations are often eligible
Verify before you give
A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on PATH (People Assisting The Homeless):