Julia Anderson
While many homeless people opt for homeless shelters for stability, some don’t know that hotel and motel vouchers exist. Why wouldn’t they know this? Because vouchers for such temporary housing are pretty rare.
Of course, there’s very little comparison between getting to live in a homeless shelter versus a hotel or motel, as the latter give you much more privacy. Hotels or motels can also be more sanitary, safer, and can give you peace of mind so you can figure out your housing situation and start taking steps to get a place of your own.
What’s needed to get a hotel voucher if you’re homeless? Let’s take a look.
Qualifying For a Homeless Hotel Voucher
Since motel vouchers are so rare, it comes as no surprise that the agencies that distribute them can sometimes be picky during the selection process. Paying for hotel or motel stays for the homeless is quite costly. And even though nonprofit organizations hold fundraisers to come up with the cash for this worthy cause, funding is limited.
When are you most likely to find a hotel voucher? Their distribution can pick up when summers get particularly hot, or winters are so cold that living on the streets becomes unsafe. But you can also get a hotel or motel voucher if you’re homeless and fit a particular group, such as:
- Single parent
- Senior
- Disabled
- Single men
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Whether vouchers are distributed to these particular groups will depend on your location. But homeless hotel vouchers can also be given to victims of a disaster, such as hurricanes, floods, or fires. Victims of abuse or domestic violence can also be given hotel voucher preference at times.
If you fit one of the categories listed and feel that you have a good chance at securing a motel voucher, keep this in mind: Vouchers are temporary solutions. What’s “temporary”? In the case of hotel vouchers, about three nights maximum. That means that you will need to find another form of housing once your three-night stay is finished. For this reason, putting all of your eggs in one basket and focusing only on securing a hotel voucher isn’t your best move.
What’s your best move? Contacting these resources and telling them your situation. You can ask if they have any homeless hotel vouchers available. However, it’s more important to ask for advice on a long-term housing solution so you can gain some much-needed stability.
- Salvation Army
- Catholic Charities
- 211
- Your local homeless shelter
- Assistance programs in your state, city, or county (you can do an online search for these)
All of the above can offer help with housing for the homeless. They may be able to offer you food and healthcare assistance as well so that your basic needs are met until you fix your housing situation.
