If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in California tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. California has one of the largest and most comprehensive networks of government agencies, nonprofits, and emergency assistance programs in the country that can place you in a safe motel or hotel room while you work toward stable housing.
This guide covers every California-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in California — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in California through the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), local Community Action Agencies, the Salvation Army, and a wide range of county-run programs. 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 California?
Several organizations in California can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
California Department of Social Services (CDSS) — California’s primary social services agency oversees emergency assistance programs that can cover short-term motel stays for eligible individuals and families. Contact your local county social services office or visit cdss.ca.gov.
California 211 — Dialing 211 connects you with a trained operator who can identify the nearest hotel voucher program with available funds in your specific county or city.
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — California has Community Action Agencies serving counties across the state. These federally funded organizations are among the most reliable providers of emergency hotel and motel vouchers. Find your nearest agency at communityactionpartnership.com.
Salvation Army California — The Salvation Army operates dozens of locations across California — including in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno, and many other cities — and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities California — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, with offices throughout the state including Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento, and San Diego.
Project Roomkey / Homekey (California-specific) — California’s Project Roomkey program, launched during COVID-19, placed homeless individuals in hotel and motel rooms and has evolved into the ongoing Homekey program, which converts hotels and motels into permanent supportive housing. Ask your local county about current hotel placement programs.
American Red Cross California — If your housing crisis results from a wildfire, earthquake, flood, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many California churches and faith communities maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in California?
Eligibility varies by program, but most California 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 California programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most California programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness
- Disaster survivors displaced by wildfires, earthquakes, or floods
- Individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders — California has dedicated programs for this population
California’s extreme heat in inland areas and the high cost of living statewide make emergency housing especially critical. Many county programs prioritize individuals exposed to dangerous temperatures during heat emergencies. You do not need a photo ID to access many California emergency housing programs — California law protects access to services for people without identification.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in California (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 California.” Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with the nearest program that has funding available in your county.
Step 2: Contact Your Local County Social Services Office
California’s social services are administered at the county level. Each county has its own Department of Social Services or Health and Human Services Agency that manages emergency housing assistance funds. Contact your county office directly for the fastest local response.
State contact: cdss.ca.gov | 916-651-8848
Step 3: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
California’s Community Action Agencies serve counties across the state and often have emergency motel voucher funds available same-day. Key agencies include:
- Community Action Partnership of Los Angeles County — LA County
- Community Action Partnership of San Diego — San Diego County
- Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) — Sacramento County
- Community Action Agency of Butte County — Butte County / Chico area
- Self-Help Enterprises — Central Valley / Fresno area
- Economic Opportunity Council of Fresno County — Fresno County
Call 211 for the Community Action Agency serving your specific county.
Step 4: Contact the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has dozens of locations throughout California and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch:
- Los Angeles: 213-896-9100
- San Francisco: 415-503-3000
- San Diego: 619-239-4037
- Sacramento: 916-442-0331
- Fresno: 559-268-0839
- San Jose: 408-282-1165
- Oakland: 510-893-4711
Step 5: Contact Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities has offices throughout California and provides emergency housing assistance to anyone regardless of faith.
- Los Angeles (Catholic Charities LA): 213-251-3400
- San Francisco (Catholic Charities SF): 415-972-1200
- San Diego: 619-231-2828
- Sacramento: 916-452-1405
Step 6: Ask About Project Roomkey / Homekey
Ask your county social services office or local homeless services provider specifically about hotel and motel placement programs in your county. California counties continue to operate hotel-based housing programs for homeless individuals, particularly for those who are elderly or medically vulnerable.
California Government Programs for Emergency Housing
California Department of Social Services (CDSS) — Emergency Assistance
CDSS oversees the CalWORKs program (California’s TANF program), which can provide emergency housing assistance for eligible families with children. Counties can use CalWORKs emergency funds for temporary motel stays.
Contact: cdss.ca.gov | 916-651-8848
California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
HCD manages California’s state housing programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local governments and nonprofits. They fund emergency shelter programs — including hotel and motel stays — statewide.
Contact: hcd.ca.gov | 916-263-2911
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — California
California receives substantial federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through HCD and local jurisdictions to homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: HCD at hcd.ca.gov
California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Program
HHAP is California’s own state-funded program that provides grants to local jurisdictions for homeless housing and prevention, including emergency hotel and motel placements. Ask your local county or city homeless services office about HHAP-funded programs near you.
Contact: hcd.ca.gov/grants-and-funding/programs-active/homeless-housing-assistance-prevention
HUD Continuum of Care — California CoC Programs
California has numerous HUD-funded CoC programs managing local homeless services networks. Key CoCs include:
- Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) — LA County
- San Francisco CoC — San Francisco
- San Diego CoC — San Diego County
- Sacramento CoC — Sacramento area
- Alameda County CoC — Oakland / East Bay
- Santa Clara County CoC — San Jose / Silicon Valley
- Fresno/Madera CoC — Central Valley
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info
CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP)
California’s CalWORKs Housing Support Program provides intensive housing assistance — including emergency hotel stays — for CalWORKs families experiencing homelessness. Contact your county social services office to ask about HSP availability.
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
If you’ve been displaced by a presidentially declared disaster in California — such as a wildfire, earthquake, or flood — 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) — California
California has one of the largest homeless veteran populations in the country and correspondingly large VA housing resources. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
Key California VA Locations:
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System: 310-478-3711
- VA San Diego Healthcare System: 858-552-8585
- VA Northern California (Sacramento): 916-843-7000
- VA Palo Alto Health Care System: 650-493-5000
- VA San Francisco: 415-221-4810
- VA Fresno: 559-225-6100
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in California
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)
LAHSA coordinates homeless services across Los Angeles County — the county with the largest homeless population in the US. They fund hundreds of programs including emergency hotel and motel vouchers. Call 211 in LA County to access LAHSA-funded programs.
Contact: 213-225-8771 | lahsa.org
PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) — Los Angeles
PATH is one of LA’s largest homeless service providers, offering emergency shelter, housing placement, and hotel voucher assistance across Los Angeles and other California counties.
Contact: 323-644-2200 | epath.org
St. Joseph Center — Los Angeles
St. Joseph Center provides emergency housing assistance, rapid re-housing, and hotel voucher programs primarily in West Los Angeles and Venice Beach.
Contact: 310-399-3839 | stjosephctr.org
Salvation Army California
With dozens of locations statewide, the Salvation Army is one of California’s most consistent providers of emergency motel vouchers.
Website: salvationarmyusa.org
Catholic Charities California
Multiple dioceses across California provide emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher referrals regardless of faith background.
Compass Family Services — San Francisco
Compass Family Services provides emergency housing, rapid re-housing, and hotel voucher assistance for families experiencing homelessness in San Francisco.
Contact: 415-644-0504 | compass-sf.org
Sacramento Steps Forward
Sacramento Steps Forward coordinates homeless services and hotel voucher programs across Sacramento County. They manage the Sacramento CoC and can connect you with available resources.
Contact: 916-340-6560 | sacramentostepsforward.org
Father Joe’s Villages — San Diego
Father Joe’s Villages is San Diego’s largest homeless services organization, providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and connections to hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 619-233-8500 | my.neighbor.org
Fresno Rescue Mission
The Fresno Rescue Mission provides emergency shelter and can connect individuals in the Central Valley with hotel voucher assistance when shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: 559-268-0839 | fresnorescuemission.org
American Red Cross — California
The Red Cross assists people displaced by California’s frequent wildfires, earthquakes, and floods. If your homelessness stems from a disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations.
Contact: 1-800-733-2767 | redcross.org
Emergency Housing Help by City in California
Los Angeles / LA County
- LA 211: Dial 211
- LAHSA: 213-225-8771
- PATH: 323-644-2200
- Salvation Army LA: 213-896-9100
- Catholic Charities LA: 213-251-3400
- St. Joseph Center: 310-399-3839
- LA County DPSS (Social Services): 866-613-3777
- Los Angeles CoC: lahsa.org
San Francisco / Bay Area
- SF 211: Dial 211
- Compass Family Services: 415-644-0504
- Salvation Army SF: 415-503-3000
- Catholic Charities SF: 415-972-1200
- Hamilton Families: 415-292-9792
- SF Human Services Agency: 415-557-5000
San Diego
- San Diego 211: Dial 211
- Father Joe’s Villages: 619-233-8500
- Salvation Army San Diego: 619-239-4037
- Catholic Charities San Diego: 619-231-2828
- Alpha Project: 619-542-1877
- San Diego County HHSA: 888-724-7240
Sacramento
- Sacramento 211: Dial 211
- Sacramento Steps Forward: 916-340-6560
- Salvation Army Sacramento: 916-442-0331
- Catholic Charities Sacramento: 916-452-1405
- Loaves & Fishes: 916-446-0874
- Sacramento County DHHS: 916-875-3782
San Jose / Silicon Valley
- San Jose 211: Dial 211
- Destination: Home (Santa Clara CoC): 408-510-0460
- Salvation Army San Jose: 408-282-1165
- Catholic Charities San Jose: 408-944-0691
- Bill Wilson Center: 408-243-0222
- Santa Clara County Social Services: 408-758-3800
Fresno / Central Valley
- Fresno 211: Dial 211
- Fresno Rescue Mission: 559-268-0839
- Salvation Army Fresno: 559-268-0839
- Catholic Charities Fresno: 559-237-0851
- Poverello House: 559-498-6988
- Fresno County Social Services: 559-600-3383
Oakland / East Bay
- Oakland 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Oakland: 510-893-4711
- Building Futures (Alameda County): 510-357-0205
- Alameda County Social Services: 510-268-0800
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 California can help you navigate the state’s many housing programs and benefits specific to your county.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in California. 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 available in your California county.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact your local public housing authority to apply. Waitlists in California — especially in LA, San Francisco, and San Diego — can be extremely long. Apply as early as possible and check for any open waitlists across nearby jurisdictions.
Apply for California’s Emergency Rental Assistance. Contact your county social services office or dial 211 to ask about current rental assistance programs available in your area.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like PATH, Father Joe’s Villages, Compass Family Services, and the Salvation Army offer transitional housing programs across California with support services to help you build long-term stability.
Apply for benefits you may qualify for. If you haven’t already, apply for CalFresh (California’s SNAP food assistance), Medi-Cal (California’s Medicaid), and CalWORKs (for families with children) at your local county social services office or at benefitscal.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in California tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your California county. In Los Angeles, you can also call LAHSA at 213-225-8771. In San Diego, contact Father Joe’s Villages at 619-233-8500.
What is Project Roomkey in California?
Project Roomkey was a California program launched during COVID-19 that placed homeless individuals — especially those who were elderly or medically vulnerable — in hotel and motel rooms. While the original program has ended, many counties continue to operate similar hotel placement programs under the Homekey initiative. Ask your county social services office about current hotel placement programs.
Are hotel vouchers available in rural California counties?
Yes. Community Action Agencies and county social services offices serve rural counties throughout California. The Balance of State California CoC also covers rural areas. Dial 211 for resources in your specific county.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in California?
Yes. California law protects access to many services for people without identification. Many programs will assist you regardless of ID status. If you need help obtaining an ID, ask your caseworker about California’s free ID programs for homeless individuals.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in California?
Yes. California has one of the largest veteran populations in the country and extensive VA housing resources. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7) or your nearest California VA facility.
Are there hotel vouchers for wildfire survivors in California?
Yes. If you’ve been displaced by a wildfire in California, FEMA’s TSA program can place you in a hotel at no cost after a presidentially declared disaster. Apply at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. The Red Cross also responds immediately to wildfire-related housing needs.
Are there hotel vouchers for domestic violence survivors in California?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or contact your local DV shelter. California also has the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence which can connect you with local resources: cpedv.org.
What if there are no hotel vouchers available in my area?
If vouchers are unavailable, ask about shelter beds, safe parking programs (available in several California cities), or contact the National Homeless Hotline at 1-877-466-4782 for additional guidance.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in California tonight, your first call should be to 211. From there, operators can connect you with the nearest available program — whether that’s a county social services office, LAHSA, Father Joe’s Villages, Sacramento Steps Forward, or another local organization.
California has more resources for people experiencing homelessness than almost any other state. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: California CDSS, California HCD, HUD, FEMA, LAHSA, Salvation Army California
Program availability and funding levels vary by county and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.