But if you have no clue how to find one, we’ll do our best to give you a clearer path to achieve that goal.
Where can you turn to when you no longer have a place to sleep? This is a question many face every day as they’re evicted from their homes. And if friends and family aren’t an option, and you find a homeless shelter to be too intimidating, here’s where you may turn to: A hotel or motel voucher.
Being able to have your own hotel or motel room has its perks, as you won’t have to worry as much about safety, peace and quiet, or sanitary conditions like you would in a shelter. But since such a setting is ideal for the homeless, these vouchers come with one massive problem: They can be hard to find. Here are some insider tips to make your motel voucher search a successful one.
1. Know where to look.
Since hotel vouchers are limited, you’ll want to contact every homeless resource possible in your search. Here are the most common places to find homeless hotel vouchers:
- Call 211
- Your local homeless shelter
- Catholic Charities
- Salvation Army
- Homeless assistance programs in your city, county, or state
While those are the most direct options for finding a homeless motel voucher, you could try these resources as well to see if you have any luck:
- National Healthcare for the Homeless Council
- Continuum of Care (CoC)
- National Coalition for the Homeless
- National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
2. Know which situations increase your chances of getting a hotel voucher.
In an ideal world, every homeless person would get hotel/motel vouchers. Due to their limited availability, that’s not the case.
Agencies that offer hotel vouchers sometimes prioritize certain groups, such as single parents, single men, seniors, and the disabled. They may also limit hotel vouchers to victims of disasters, such as floods, fires, or hurricanes. Or they may give motel vouchers to victims of domestic violence or abuse before other applicants. If you fit any of the groups or situations described above, be sure to mention it when contacting homeless resources, as this information could put you at the front of the voucher line.
3. Know how to keep your voucher.
The last thing you want to have happen is to work hard to get a voucher and then lose it for not following rules. Many agencies require hotel voucher recipients to check in with them. You may need to show that you’re employed or are trying to find work. And you may need to meet with a counselor to create a plan to end your homelessness.
4. Know what to expect.
Paying for hotel or motel rooms for the homeless is very expensive. Agencies do not have unlimited funds, which is why hotel/motel vouchers usually only give you three nights maximum of lodging. Keep this in mind when performing your search. Be sure to ask your contacts for longer-term housing solutions so you can gain stability until you get back on your feet.
Section 8 Assist
