If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in Florida tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. Florida has one of the largest homeless populations in the country and a correspondingly large network of government agencies, nonprofits, and emergency programs that can place you in a safe motel or hotel room while you work toward stable housing.
This guide covers every Florida-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in Florida — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in Florida through the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), local Community Action Agencies, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and dozens of county-level 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 Florida?
Several organizations in Florida can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) — Florida’s primary social services agency manages emergency assistance programs that can cover short-term motel stays for eligible individuals and families. Contact your local DCF office or visit myflfamilies.com.
Florida 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. Florida’s 211 network is one of the most comprehensive in the country.
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — Florida 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.
Salvation Army Florida — The Salvation Army operates dozens of locations across Florida — including in Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and many other cities — and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities Florida — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, with offices throughout the state.
County Homeless Coalitions and CoC organizations — Every Florida county has a Continuum of Care (CoC) or homeless coalition that coordinates emergency hotel vouchers and shelter resources.
American Red Cross Florida — If your housing crisis results from a hurricane, flood, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many Florida churches maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers, particularly in smaller communities across the state’s rural interior.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in Florida?
Eligibility varies by program, but most Florida 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 Florida programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most Florida programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness — Florida has one of the highest veteran homeless populations in the country
- Disaster survivors displaced by hurricanes, floods, or tropical storms
- Individuals exposed to Florida’s extreme heat and humidity
Florida’s intense summer heat — with heat indexes regularly exceeding 105°F — makes emergency housing a public safety issue. Florida is also the most hurricane-prone state in the country, and FEMA’s disaster housing programs are frequently activated here. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in Florida, though having one speeds up the process.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Florida (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 Florida.” 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 Florida DCF Office
The Florida Department of Children and Families has offices in every county. DCF administers emergency assistance programs and can connect you with temporary housing funds including motel vouchers for qualifying individuals and families.
Contact: myflfamilies.com | 850-487-1111
Step 3: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
Florida’s Community Action Agencies serve counties across the state and often have emergency motel voucher funds available same-day. Key agencies include:
- Community Action and Human Services (Miami-Dade) — Miami-Dade County
- Broward County Community Action Agency — Fort Lauderdale area
- Orange County Community Action Division — Orlando area
- Hillsborough County Community Action — Tampa area
- Duval County Community Action — Jacksonville
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 Florida and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch:
- Miami: 305-642-6040
- Orlando: 407-423-8581
- Tampa: 813-226-6900
- Jacksonville: 904-356-8641
- Fort Lauderdale: 954-523-1619
- Pensacola: 850-438-2637
- Tallahassee: 850-576-7171
Step 5: Contact Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities has offices throughout Florida and provides emergency housing assistance to anyone regardless of faith.
- Miami: 305-762-1112
- Orlando: 407-658-1818
- Tampa: 727-893-1311
- Jacksonville: 904-354-4846
- Pensacola: 850-435-3536
Step 6: Contact Your County’s Homeless Coalition or CoC
Every Florida county has a designated CoC or homeless coalition managing emergency shelter and voucher resources. Dial 211 to be connected with your county’s homeless services coordinator.
Florida Government Programs for Emergency Housing
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) — Homelessness Programs
DCF administers Florida’s state-funded homelessness assistance programs, distributing Challenge Grants and other state funds to local organizations for emergency shelter and hotel voucher programs. DCF also manages TANF emergency funds, which can cover motel stays for eligible families with children.
Contact: myflfamilies.com | 850-487-1111
Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC)
FHFC manages Florida’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: floridahousing.org | 850-488-4197
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — Florida
Florida receives substantial federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through FHFC and local governments to homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when traditional shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: FHFC at floridahousing.org
Florida’s Homelessness Challenge Grant Program
Florida’s state-funded Challenge Grant program provides additional money to local governments and nonprofits specifically for homeless assistance — including emergency hotel vouchers. This program supplements federal ESG funding and is unique to Florida. Ask your local CoC or homeless services organization about Challenge Grant-funded programs in your county.
HUD Continuum of Care — Florida CoC Programs
Florida has numerous HUD-funded CoC programs managing county-level homeless services. Key CoCs include:
- Miami-Dade Homeless Trust — miamidadehomelesstrust.org
- Broward County CoC — browardcounty.org
- Palm Beach County CoC — pbchhs.org
- Central Florida CoC (Orange/Osceola/Seminole) — cfhomelessness.org
- Hillsborough County CoC (Tampa) — 813-272-6508
- Duval County CoC (Jacksonville)
- Pinellas County CoC (St. Petersburg)
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
Florida is the most hurricane-prone state in the country. If you’ve been displaced by a presidentially declared disaster — such as a hurricane or flood — FEMA’s TSA program can place you in a participating hotel or motel at no cost. This program is frequently activated in Florida following major storms.
Apply: disasterassistance.gov | 1-800-621-3362
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) — Florida
Florida has one of the largest veteran populations in the country. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
Key Florida VA Locations:
- Miami VA Healthcare System: 305-575-7000
- Orlando VA Medical Center: 407-631-1000
- Tampa VA Medical Center: 813-972-2000
- Jacksonville VA Clinic: 904-475-4800
- West Palm Beach VA Medical Center: 561-422-8262
- Gainesville VA Medical Center: 352-376-1611
- Bay Pines VA (St. Petersburg): 727-398-6661
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in Florida
Miami-Dade Homeless Trust
The Miami-Dade Homeless Trust coordinates all homeless services in Miami-Dade County — one of the largest homeless service systems in the country. They fund emergency shelter and hotel voucher programs throughout the county.
Contact: 305-375-1490 | miamidadehomelesstrust.org
Camillus House — Miami
Camillus House is one of Miami’s oldest and largest homeless service providers, offering emergency shelter, transitional housing, and connections to hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 305-374-1065 | camillus.org
Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida — Orlando
Coordinates homeless services in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. Provides emergency shelter and connects individuals with hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 407-426-1250 | cfhomelessness.org
Metropolitan Ministries — Tampa
Tampa Bay’s largest provider of emergency housing and homeless services, offering emergency shelter, transitional housing, and hotel voucher assistance.
Contact: 813-209-1000 | metromin.org
Broward Partnership for the Homeless — Fort Lauderdale
Coordinates emergency shelter and hotel voucher programs across Broward County and operates the Resource Center for one-stop access to homeless services.
Contact: 954-715-3990 | browardpartnership.org
Salvation Army Florida
With dozens of locations statewide, the Salvation Army is one of Florida’s most consistent providers of emergency motel vouchers.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Catholic Charities Florida
Multiple dioceses across Florida provide emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher referrals regardless of faith background.
St. Francis House — Tallahassee
Provides emergency shelter, meals, and homeless services in Tallahassee and connects individuals with hotel voucher programs in the capital region.
Contact: 850-224-6554 | stfrancishousefl.org
Volunteers of America Florida
Provides homeless services, transitional housing, and emergency assistance across multiple Florida counties.
Contact: voafl.org
American Red Cross — Florida
Assists people displaced by Florida’s frequent hurricanes, floods, and tropical storms. 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 Florida
Miami / Miami-Dade County
- Miami 211: Dial 211
- Miami-Dade Homeless Trust: 305-375-1490
- Camillus House: 305-374-1065
- Salvation Army Miami: 305-642-6040
- Catholic Charities Miami: 305-762-1112
- DCF Miami: 305-377-5000
Orlando / Central Florida
- Orlando 211: Dial 211
- Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida: 407-426-1250
- Salvation Army Orlando: 407-423-8581
- Catholic Charities Orlando: 407-658-1818
- Christian Service Center: 407-425-2523
- DCF Orlando: 407-245-0800
Tampa / Tampa Bay Area
- Tampa 211: Dial 211
- Metropolitan Ministries: 813-209-1000
- Salvation Army Tampa: 813-226-6900
- Catholic Charities Tampa: 727-893-1311
- DCF Tampa: 813-558-5800
Jacksonville / Duval County
- Jacksonville 211: Dial 211
- Sulzbacher Center: 904-359-0670
- City Rescue Mission Jacksonville: 904-354-2831
- Salvation Army Jacksonville: 904-356-8641
- Catholic Charities Jacksonville: 904-354-4846
- DCF Jacksonville: 904-798-4900
Fort Lauderdale / Broward County
- Fort Lauderdale 211: Dial 211
- Broward Partnership for the Homeless: 954-715-3990
- Salvation Army Fort Lauderdale: 954-523-1619
- Catholic Charities Broward: 954-568-4200
- DCF Fort Lauderdale: 954-202-5800
West Palm Beach / Palm Beach County
- West Palm Beach 211: Dial 211
- Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches: 561-494-7722
- Salvation Army West Palm Beach: 561-655-6219
- DCF West Palm Beach: 561-681-7300
Tallahassee / North Florida
- Tallahassee 211: Dial 211
- St. Francis House: 850-224-6554
- Salvation Army Tallahassee: 850-576-7171
- Catholic Charities Tallahassee: 850-435-3536
- DCF Tallahassee: 850-921-1200
Pensacola / Northwest Florida
- Pensacola 211: Dial 211
- Waterfront Rescue Mission: 850-434-3009
- Salvation Army Pensacola: 850-438-2637
- DCF Pensacola: 850-595-8600
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 Florida can help you navigate housing programs, benefits, and resources specific to your county.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in Florida. 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 Florida county.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact the Florida Housing Finance Corporation or your local public housing authority. Waitlists in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa can be extremely long — apply as early as possible.
Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance. Contact FHFC at floridahousing.org or dial 211 to ask about current rental assistance programs available in your county.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like Camillus House, Metropolitan Ministries, and the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida offer transitional housing programs across Florida.
Apply for benefits you may qualify for. If you haven’t already, apply for SNAP food assistance, Florida Medicaid, and TANF at your local DCF office or at myflorida.com/accessflorida.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in Florida tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your Florida county. In Miami, contact the Homeless Trust at 305-375-1490. In Orlando, call the Coalition for the Homeless at 407-426-1250. In Tampa, call Metropolitan Ministries at 813-209-1000.
Are hotel vouchers available after a hurricane in Florida?
Yes. FEMA’s TSA program is regularly activated in Florida after major hurricanes and tropical storms. If you’ve been displaced, apply at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. The Red Cross also responds immediately to hurricane-related housing needs.
Does Florida have heat emergency housing?
Yes. During extreme heat events, Florida counties activate cooling centers and some programs provide emergency hotel placements for individuals at risk. Dial 211 for current cooling center locations in your area.
Are hotel vouchers available in rural Florida counties?
Yes, though options may be limited. Community Action Agencies and the Balance of State Florida CoC serve rural counties. Dial 211 for resources in your specific county.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in Florida?
Many programs will still help you without a photo ID. If you’ve lost your ID, ask your caseworker or local DCF office about emergency identification assistance.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Florida?
Yes. Florida 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 Florida VA facility.
Are there hotel vouchers for domestic violence survivors in Florida?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or the Florida Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-500-1119 (24/7, available in multiple languages) for immediate safe housing assistance.
What if there are no hotel vouchers available in my area?
If vouchers are unavailable, ask about shelter beds, cooling centers, or contact the National Homeless Hotline at 1-877-466-4782 for additional options.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in Florida tonight, your first call should be to 211. From there, operators can connect you with the nearest available program — whether that’s a county DCF office, the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust, Metropolitan Ministries, the Salvation Army, or another local organization serving your area.
Florida has resources for you. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Florida DCF, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army Florida
Program availability and funding levels vary by county and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.