In Houston, Texas, hotel voucher programs for the homeless provide temporary accommodation in local motels and hotels when emergency shelters are full or unsafe. These vouchers are distributed by municipal agencies, non-profit organizations, and churches to help families, seniors, and individuals find immediate shelter, while simultaneously connecting them with long-term housing solutions.
Please keep in mind that emergency and short-term motel vouchers in Houston are limited and are generally reserved for specific highly vulnerable groups—such as families with young children, seniors, or individuals with serious medical conditions—during periods of extreme weather.
1. Contact the 211 Texas / United Way HELPLINE
Your immediate first step is to dial 2-1-1 or call 1-877-541-7905. Operated by United Way of Greater Houston, this service—available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—monitors the real-time availability of funds for hotel vouchers and open beds in shelters throughout Harris County.
Dial 2-1-1, select Option 1, and explain your current housing situation to the representative.
2. Request Emergency Motel Vouchers from Local Charities
Several non-profit organizations administer emergency housing programs and motel vouchers when funds are available:
The Salvation Army of Greater Houston
The Salvation Army of Greater Houston provides emergency motel vouchers on a very limited, case-by-case basis; priority is typically given to families with children, seniors, or during extreme weather events.
Since the issuance of vouchers depends entirely on current funding cycles and fund availability, you cannot simply show up at one of their locations and automatically receive one. You must complete an intake process to determine your eligibility.
Steps to Apply for Assistance
Call the main offices first: Do not go to a location without calling in advance, as voucher processing requires the involvement of an assigned social worker. Contact the Area Command Office at 713-752-0677 or the Houston Family Residence at 713-650-6530.
Be prepared to provide documentation: If funds are available, you will typically need to verify your identity, provide proof of residency in Houston or Harris County, and demonstrate that you are facing an immediate crisis (such as an eviction notice, a safety risk, or a medical emergency).
Consider Direct Referral to a Shelter: If funding for motel vouchers has been exhausted, staff will redirect you to one of their physical shelter programs, such as the Jones Residence / Family Residence (for women and families) or the Center of Hope (for single adults).
Alternative Ways to Obtain Vouchers
If The Salvation Army’s voucher funding has been exhausted, your best alternative option is to contact the “The Way Home” Coordinated Access network by calling 713-220-9737. This centralized system coordinates immediate emergency shelter options through major non-profit organizations in the Greater Houston area.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston does not provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers to walk-in visitors. Instead, their hotel and motel assistance is managed strictly on a case-by-case basis through their Housing Stability Services (HSS) program, where eligibility depends entirely on your specific situation and current funding availability.
How to Apply for Housing Assistance
Assessment by Phone or Email Only: Catholic Charities is not currently conducting in-person emergency intake assessments. You must call the Housing Stability Hotline at 713-237-8106 or send an email to hss-vm@catholiccharities.org to request an eligibility assessment.
Provide Proof of Stability: If you are applying for temporary motel or rental assistance, program guidelines require you to submit documentation or a plan demonstrating how you will maintain stable housing once the short-term assistance ends.
Main Line: For general inquiries or to ask about alternative programs for families, please call their main switchboard at 713-526-4611, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Long-Term Housing Placement for Homeless Individuals
If you are currently homeless, Catholic Charities works directly with the City of Houston’s central network through two primary long-term programs:
Rapid Re-Housing (RRH): Helps individuals who have recently become homeless secure an apartment and provides navigators to assist them in recovering and stabilizing their lives.
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): A specific grant-funded program, supported by HUD, designed to assist individuals who are chronically homeless and also have a qualifying disability.
Note: You cannot apply for these two long-term housing programs directly through Catholic Charities. You must be formally referred through “The Way Home” Coordinated Access Network by calling 832-531-6041 (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.).
Family Promise
Family Promise affiliates in the Greater Houston area do not provide direct hotel or motel vouchers to walk-in visitors. Instead, Family Promise operates a unique “Hospitality Network” model—designed specifically for families with minor children and pregnant women—which utilizes a combination of host congregations, dedicated day centers, and, occasionally, scattered hotel stays (strictly when the network’s standard shelter spaces are at maximum capacity).
Since Family Promise operates through independent local chapters, eligibility requirements and the application process depend on the specific region of the Greater Houston area in which you are currently located.
Family Promise of Lake Houston (Northeast Harris County / Humble Area)
This chapter focuses on families residing in the immediate vicinity of Humble, Kingwood, and Lake Houston. They utilize a day center in combination with a rotating system of host congregations for overnight stays.
Phone: 281-441-3754
Application Process: You must call to schedule an intake appointment. Walk-in visitors are not served.
Fort Bend Family Promise (Southwest Houston / Fort Bend County)
They provide services to households facing housing instability in Missouri City, Sugar Land, and the broader Fort Bend County area. They offer sequential service pathways and intensive case management.
Phone: 281-403-3923
Family Promise of Clear Creek (Southeast Houston / Bay Area)
Assists families in crisis within the boundaries of Southeast Houston, League City, and the Clear Creek Independent School District perimeter.
Phone: 832-932-3963
Eligibility Criteria for All Chapters
Minor Children: You must be a parent or legal guardian with at least one child under the age of 18, or be a pregnant woman. Single adults with no dependents are not eligible and will be referred to the 211 support service.
Background Checks: All participating adults must pass a background check and a drug screening to maintain a safe environment within the congregation-based community shelters.
Program Commitment: These programs are designed for individuals willing to participate in active case management, financial literacy classes, and job search programs.
If you do not meet the specific regional geographic boundaries or family dynamics criteria for these chapters, please call the Coordinated Access Helpline at 713-220-9737 to immediately find available beds within the broader Houston network.
3. Complete a Coordinated Access Assessment
The standard pathway to obtaining stable, long-term housing in Houston is managed by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County through a program called The Way Home. They utilize a centralized system, known as Coordinated Access, to place individuals into immediate shelters, Rapid Re-housing programs, or Permanent Supportive Housing.
Call the Coordinated Access line at 713-220-9737 to complete an initial housing assessment.
You may also visit The Beacon (located at 1213 Prairie St), which serves as a primary intake center and day center where you can receive case management services and referrals for assessments.
