If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in Alaska tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. Alaska has a network of government agencies, nonprofits, and emergency assistance programs that can place you in a safe motel or hotel room while you work toward stable housing.
This guide covers every Alaska-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in Alaska — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in Alaska through the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), local Community Action Agencies, the Salvation Army, Bean’s Café, and other nonprofits. The fastest way to access one is to dial 211, which connects you to local emergency housing resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Alaska?
Several organizations in Alaska can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) — Alaska’s primary social services agency manages emergency assistance programs that can cover short-term motel stays for eligible individuals and families. Contact your local Division of Public Assistance (DPA) office or visit hss.state.ak.us.
Alaska 211 — Dialing 211 connects you with a trained operator who can identify the nearest hotel voucher program with available funds in your specific region or city.
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — Alaska has Community Action Agencies serving regions across the state. These federally funded organizations are among the most consistent providers of emergency hotel and motel vouchers. Find your nearest agency at communityactionpartnership.com.
Salvation Army Alaska — The Salvation Army operates locations in Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Bean’s Café (Anchorage) — One of Anchorage’s most well-known homeless service providers, Bean’s Café offers emergency assistance and can connect you with hotel voucher programs.
Catholic Social Services Alaska — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, with a strong presence in Anchorage.
American Red Cross Alaska — If your housing crisis results from a fire, flood, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many Alaska churches — especially in rural communities and villages — maintain emergency funds for motel and hotel stays.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in Alaska?
Eligibility varies by program, but most Alaska hotel voucher programs give priority to:
- Individuals and families who are currently homeless (sleeping outside, in a vehicle, or in an unsafe location)
- People facing imminent eviction within 24–72 hours
- Families with children — prioritized by most Alaska programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most Alaska programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness
- Alaska Native and Indigenous individuals — several programs specifically serve Alaska Native communities
- Disaster survivors displaced by fire, flood, or severe weather
Alaska’s extreme winters make emergency housing especially critical. Many programs prioritize individuals exposed to dangerously cold temperatures. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in Alaska, though having one helps. If you’ve lost your ID, Alaska DPA offices and many nonprofits can help you obtain emergency identification.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Alaska (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Call 211
Dial 2-1-1 from any phone — it’s free. Tell the operator: “I need emergency shelter or a hotel voucher tonight in Alaska.” Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with the nearest program with funding available in your area.
Step 2: Contact Alaska Division of Public Assistance (DPA)
The Alaska Division of Public Assistance has offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and other communities. DPA can connect you with emergency housing funds and General Relief Assistance (GRA), which can cover short-term motel stays for qualifying individuals.
Contact: hss.state.ak.us | 1-800-478-7778
Step 3: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
Alaska’s Community Action Agencies serve regional areas and often have emergency motel voucher funds available same-day. Key agencies include:
- Community Action of Southcentral Alaska (Anchorage and surrounding areas)
- Fairbanks Community Food Bank & Social Services (Interior Alaska)
- SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) (Southeast Alaska)
- Kawerak, Inc. (Northwest Alaska / Seward Peninsula)
- Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP) (Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta)
Call 211 for the Community Action Agency or regional nonprofit serving your specific area.
Step 4: Visit Bean’s Café or Salvation Army (Anchorage)
If you’re in Anchorage, Bean’s Café and the Salvation Army are two of the fastest sources of emergency assistance:
- Bean’s Café: 907-272-2632
- Salvation Army Anchorage: 907-276-2515
- Catholic Social Services Anchorage: 907-222-7300
Step 5: Contact the Salvation Army (Fairbanks or Juneau)
- Salvation Army Fairbanks: 907-456-2235
- Salvation Army Juneau: 907-586-3370
Step 6: Call Local Churches or Tribal Organizations
In rural Alaska communities and villages, tribal organizations and local churches are often the most accessible source of emergency housing funds. Contact your local tribal council or village corporation for assistance — many maintain emergency funds for community members.
Alaska Government Programs for Emergency Housing
Alaska Division of Public Assistance — General Relief Assistance (GRA)
Alaska’s General Relief Assistance (GRA) program provides short-term financial help for basic needs — including emergency housing — for Alaska residents who don’t qualify for other assistance programs. GRA can cover motel stays in emergency situations.
Contact: hss.state.ak.us/dpa | 1-800-478-7778
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)
AHFC manages Alaska’s affordable housing programs and distributes federal housing funds to local service providers. They fund Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs across the state that can cover temporary hotel and motel stays.
Contact: ahfc.us | 907-330-8400
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — Alaska
Alaska receives federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through AHFC to local nonprofits and homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter, including hotel stays when shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: AHFC at ahfc.us
HUD Continuum of Care — Alaska CoC Programs
Alaska’s CoC programs manage local homeless services networks and can connect you with emergency hotel vouchers, rapid re-housing assistance, and transitional housing.
Key Alaska CoCs include:
- Anchorage CoC
- Balance of State Alaska CoC (covering Fairbanks, Juneau, rural communities, and villages)
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
If you’ve been displaced by a presidentially declared disaster in Alaska — such as a flood, earthquake, or wildfire — FEMA’s TSA program can place you in a participating hotel or motel at no cost.
Apply: disasterassistance.gov | 1-800-621-3362
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) — Alaska
Homeless Alaska veterans have dedicated resources through the VA. The HUD-VASH program combines housing vouchers with VA supportive services. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
Alaska VA Locations:
- Anchorage VA Medical Center: 907-257-4700
- Fairbanks VA Clinic: 907-328-6100
- Juneau VA Clinic: 907-523-4900
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in Alaska
Bean’s Café — Anchorage
Bean’s Café is one of Anchorage’s most trusted homeless service providers, offering meals, emergency assistance, and connections to hotel voucher programs and shelter. They serve hundreds of people daily and can quickly point you to available voucher funds.
Contact: 907-272-2632 | beanscafe.org
Salvation Army Alaska
With locations in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, the Salvation Army is one of Alaska’s most consistent providers of emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch to confirm current availability.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Catholic Social Services — Anchorage
CSS Alaska provides emergency housing assistance, refugee services, and homeless support regardless of faith background. Their caseworkers can arrange hotel stays or connect you with voucher-providing organizations.
Contact: 907-222-7300 | cssalaska.org
Covenant House Alaska — Anchorage
Covenant House Alaska specifically serves youth experiencing homelessness (ages 13–24). They provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, and can connect young people with hotel voucher assistance.
Contact: 907-272-1255 | covenanthouseak.org
Brother Francis Shelter — Anchorage
Brother Francis Shelter is Anchorage’s largest emergency shelter and works directly with hotel voucher programs when shelter beds are full. They can connect you with motel assistance same-day.
Contact: 907-277-1731 | cssalaska.org/brother-francis-shelter
Fairbanks Rescue Mission
The Fairbanks Rescue Mission provides emergency shelter and can connect individuals in the Interior Alaska region with hotel voucher assistance when shelter space is unavailable.
Contact: 907-452-5343 | fairbanksrescuemission.org
American Red Cross — Alaska Region
The Red Cross helps people displaced by Alaska’s frequent natural disasters — earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and avalanches. If your homelessness stems from a disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations.
Contact: 1-800-733-2767 | redcross.org
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC)
ANTHC provides health and social services to Alaska Native people and can connect Alaska Native individuals and families with emergency housing resources, including hotel vouchers.
Contact: 907-729-1900 | anthc.org
Emergency Housing Help by City in Alaska
Anchorage
Anchorage has the largest concentration of homeless services in Alaska. Key resources include:
- Anchorage 211: Dial 211
- Bean’s Café: 907-272-2632
- Brother Francis Shelter: 907-277-1731
- Salvation Army Anchorage: 907-276-2515
- Catholic Social Services: 907-222-7300
- Covenant House Alaska (youth): 907-272-1255
- Alaska Housing Finance Corporation: 907-330-8400
- Anchorage CoC Lead Agency (LifeQuest): 907-563-1000
Fairbanks
- Fairbanks 211: Dial 211
- Fairbanks Rescue Mission: 907-452-5343
- Salvation Army Fairbanks: 907-456-2235
- Tanana Chiefs Conference (Alaska Native services): 907-452-8251
- Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living (DV/emergency): 907-452-2293
Juneau
- Juneau 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Juneau: 907-586-3370
- AWARE (DV/emergency housing): 907-586-6623
- Glory Hall Shelter: 907-586-4165
- Gastineau Human Services: 907-463-6174
Sitka
- Sitka 211: Dial 211
- Sitkans Against Family Violence: 907-747-3370
- SEARHC Social Services: 907-966-8620
Kenai Peninsula / Homer
- Kenai 211: Dial 211
- Kenai Peninsula Food Bank & Social Services: 907-283-2022
- South Peninsula Haven House (DV/emergency): 907-235-8943
Rural Alaska / Villages
If you’re in a rural community or village with limited services, your best resources are:
- Dial 211 (available statewide)
- Your local Tribal Council or Village Corporation — most maintain emergency assistance funds
- Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP): 907-543-7461
- Kawerak, Inc. (Northwest Alaska): 907-443-5231
- Tanana Chiefs Conference (Interior): 907-452-8251
What to Do After Your Hotel Voucher Runs Out
A hotel voucher is a bridge — not a permanent solution. While you have temporary shelter, take these steps toward stable housing:
Connect with a case manager. Ask the organization that gave you the voucher to assign you a case manager. Case managers in Alaska can help you navigate housing programs, public benefits, and available resources specific to your region.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in Alaska. RRH programs provide short-term rental assistance and support to help you move from homelessness into housing quickly. Contact your local CoC or dial 211 to find RRH programs in your Alaska community.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) or your local public housing authority to apply. Note that Alaska’s housing waitlists can be long — apply as early as possible.
Apply for General Relief Assistance (GRA). If you don’t qualify for other programs, Alaska’s GRA can help with basic living expenses while you stabilize. Apply through your local DPA office.
Apply for benefits you may qualify for. If you haven’t already, apply for SNAP food assistance, Medicaid, and Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) — Alaska’s annual dividend payment to residents — at your local DPA office or at benefits.gov.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like Covenant House Alaska, Catholic Social Services, and the Salvation Army offer transitional housing programs with support services to help you build long-term stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in Alaska tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your Alaska community. In Anchorage, you can also contact Bean’s Café (907-272-2632) or the Salvation Army (907-276-2515) directly.
Does Alaska have emergency housing for extreme cold weather?
Yes. Alaska’s extreme winters make emergency housing a public safety issue. Many programs prioritize individuals exposed to dangerous cold temperatures. Anchorage also operates warming centers during extreme cold events. Dial 211 for current warming center locations.
Are hotel vouchers available in rural Alaska?
Yes, though options may be more limited. Your local tribal council, village corporation, or regional nonprofit (like AVCP, Kawerak, or Tanana Chiefs Conference) are your best starting points in rural areas. Dial 211 for regional resources.
Can Alaska Native individuals get special housing assistance?
Yes. Several organizations specifically serve Alaska Native people, including the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), Kawerak, Inc., Tanana Chiefs Conference, and the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP). These organizations maintain emergency housing funds for Alaska Native community members.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in Alaska?
Many programs will still help you without a photo ID, though having one helps. If you’ve lost your ID, ask your caseworker or local DPA office about emergency identification programs.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Alaska?
Yes. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7) or your nearest Alaska VA facility. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays same-day for veterans in crisis.
Are there hotel vouchers for domestic violence survivors in Alaska?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or contact AWARE in Juneau (907-586-6623), the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living in Fairbanks (907-452-2293), or your local DV shelter for immediate safe housing.
What if there are no hotel vouchers available in my area?
If vouchers are unavailable, ask about shelter beds, warming centers, or contact the National Homeless Hotline at 1-877-466-4782 for additional guidance. In rural Alaska, contact your tribal council — many maintain emergency funds even when mainstream programs are full.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in Alaska tonight, your first call should be to 211. From there, operators can connect you with the nearest available program — whether that’s a Community Action Agency, the Salvation Army, Alaska DPA, or a local tribal organization.
Alaska has resources for you. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Alaska DHSS, Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army Alaska
Program availability and funding levels vary by region and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.