If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in Hawaii tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. Hawaii has the highest per-capita homeless rate in the United States, and in response, the state has built one of the most well-funded emergency housing networks in the country. Government agencies, nonprofits, and emergency programs can place you in a safe motel or hotel room while you work toward stable housing.
This guide covers every Hawaii-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in Hawaii — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in Hawaii through the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS), the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), local Community Action Agencies, the Salvation Army, 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 Hawaii?
Several organizations in Hawaii can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) — Hawaii’s primary social services agency manages emergency assistance programs that can cover short-term motel stays for eligible individuals and families. Contact your local DHS office or visit dhs.hawaii.gov.
Hawaii Homeless Programs Branch — A dedicated branch within Hawaii DHS specifically focused on homelessness, managing state-funded emergency shelter and hotel voucher programs statewide.
Hawaii 211 — Dialing 211 connects you with a trained operator who can identify the nearest hotel voucher program with available funds on your specific island. Hawaii’s 211 system is available statewide across all islands.
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — Hawaii has Community Action Agencies serving the islands. These federally funded organizations are among the most reliable providers of emergency hotel and motel vouchers.
Salvation Army Hawaii — The Salvation Army operates on Oahu and the neighbor islands and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities Hawaii — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, serving all islands with a primary presence on Oahu.
Institute for Human Services (IHS) — One of Hawaii’s largest homeless service providers, primarily serving Oahu.
American Red Cross Hawaii — If your housing crisis results from a tsunami, hurricane, volcanic eruption, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many Hawaii churches — particularly on the neighbor islands — maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in Hawaii?
Eligibility varies by program, but most Hawaii 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 Hawaii programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most Hawaii programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness
- Disaster survivors displaced by hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, or volcanic activity
- Native Hawaiian individuals — several programs specifically serve the Native Hawaiian community
Hawaii’s housing crisis is severe — the state has the highest cost of living in the nation and a chronic shortage of affordable housing. The state has responded with significant investment in homeless services. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in Hawaii, though having one speeds up the process.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Hawaii (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 Hawaii.” Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with the nearest program that has funding available on your island.
Step 2: Contact Hawaii DHS — Homeless Programs Branch
Hawaii’s Homeless Programs Branch within DHS specifically manages state-funded emergency shelter and hotel voucher programs. They can connect you directly with available resources on your island.
Contact: dhs.hawaii.gov | 808-586-5734 (Oahu) | 808-974-6842 (Hawaii Island)
Step 3: Contact the Institute for Human Services (IHS) — Oahu
If you’re on Oahu, IHS is Hawaii’s largest homeless service provider and a primary entry point into the island’s emergency housing system. They operate the state’s largest emergency shelter and coordinate hotel voucher referrals.
Contact: 808-447-2800 | ihshawaii.org
Step 4: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
Hawaii’s Community Action Agencies serve the islands and often have emergency motel voucher funds available. Key agencies include:
- Catholic Charities Hawaii — Oahu and neighbor islands
- Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) — Maui County
- Kauai Economic Opportunity (KEO) — Kauai
- Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC) — Hawaii Island
Call 211 for the Community Action Agency serving your specific island.
Step 5: Contact the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army operates on Oahu and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call:
- Honolulu: 808-988-2136
Step 6: Contact Catholic Charities Hawaii
Catholic Charities Hawaii provides emergency housing assistance to anyone in need regardless of faith and serves all major islands.
Contact: 808-527-4000 | catholiccharitieshawaii.org
Hawaii Government Programs for Emergency Housing
Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) — Emergency Assistance
DHS administers Hawaii’s TANF program (called TANF/TAONF in Hawaii) and General Assistance (GA) program, both of which can cover emergency housing costs including temporary motel stays for qualifying individuals and families. DHS also manages the state’s Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF) program.
Contact: dhs.hawaii.gov | 808-586-5734
Hawaii Homeless Programs Branch
This dedicated branch within DHS manages Hawaii’s state-funded homeless assistance programs, including emergency shelter contracts, hotel voucher programs, and rapid re-housing initiatives statewide across all islands.
Contact: dhs.hawaii.gov/homeless | 808-586-5734
Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC)
HHFDC manages Hawaii’s state housing programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local nonprofits and service providers. They fund emergency shelter programs — including hotel and motel stays — statewide.
Contact: hawaii.gov/hhfdc | 808-587-0597
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — Hawaii
Hawaii receives federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through HHFDC to local homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when traditional shelter space is unavailable.
Contact: HHFDC at hawaii.gov/hhfdc
HUD Continuum of Care — Hawaii CoC Programs
Hawaii’s CoC programs manage homeless service coordination across the islands. Key CoCs include:
- Oahu CoC (Partners in Care) — Honolulu / Oahu
- Hawaii Balance of State CoC — Hawaii Island, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info | partnersincareoahu.org
Hawaii’s Ohana Zones
Hawaii’s Ohana Zones are state-designated areas that provide navigation services and emergency assistance to people experiencing homelessness, including connections to hotel voucher programs. Ohana Zone service providers can help you access emergency housing on your island.
Contact: Dial 211 to find your nearest Ohana Zone provider
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
If you’ve been displaced by a presidentially declared disaster in Hawaii — such as a hurricane, tsunami, or volcanic eruption — 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) — Hawaii
Homeless Hawaii veterans have dedicated resources through the VA. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
Hawaii VA Locations:
- VA Pacific Islands Health Care System (Honolulu): 808-433-0600
- Hilo VA Clinic (Hawaii Island): 808-935-3781
- Maui VA Clinic: 808-242-5678
- Kauai VA Clinic: 808-822-5855
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in Hawaii
Institute for Human Services (IHS) — Oahu
IHS is Hawaii’s largest homeless service organization, operating the state’s largest emergency shelter on Oahu and coordinating hotel voucher programs for individuals who cannot access shelter beds. They are the primary point of entry for homeless services on Oahu.
Contact: 808-447-2800 | ihshawaii.org
Salvation Army Hawaii
The Salvation Army operates on Oahu and provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Contact: 808-988-2136 | salvationarmy.org
Catholic Charities Hawaii
Serves anyone in need regardless of faith. Provides emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher referrals across all major islands with offices on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai.
Contact: 808-527-4000 | catholiccharitieshawaii.org
Waimanalo Health Center — Oahu
Waimanalo Health Center provides health and social services to the Native Hawaiian community in Waimanalo and can connect Native Hawaiian individuals and families with emergency housing resources including hotel vouchers.
Contact: 808-259-7948 | waimanalohealth.org
Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) — Maui
MEO is Maui County’s community action agency, providing emergency assistance including connections to hotel voucher programs for residents of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.
Contact: 808-249-2990 | meo.org
Kauai Economic Opportunity (KEO) — Kauai
KEO is Kauai’s community action agency, providing emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for residents of the Garden Island.
Contact: 808-245-4077 | keo.org
Aloha United Way — Oahu
Aloha United Way funds emergency assistance programs across Oahu including hotel voucher assistance. Dial 211 to access Aloha United Way-funded resources.
Contact: 808-536-1951 | auw.org
Partners in Care — Oahu
Partners in Care leads Oahu’s Continuum of Care and coordinates emergency housing resources including hotel vouchers across the island.
Contact: partnersincareoahu.org
Family Promise Hawaii — Multiple Islands
Family Promise Hawaii provides emergency shelter and housing assistance specifically for families with children experiencing homelessness on multiple islands.
Contact: familypromisehawaii.org
American Red Cross — Hawaii
The Red Cross assists people displaced by Hawaii’s tsunamis, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and other disasters. 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 Island in Hawaii
Oahu / Honolulu
Oahu has Hawaii’s largest concentration of homeless services. Key resources include:
- Oahu 211: Dial 211
- Institute for Human Services (IHS): 808-447-2800
- Salvation Army Honolulu: 808-988-2136
- Catholic Charities Hawaii: 808-527-4000
- Partners in Care (CoC): partnersincareoahu.org
- Aloha United Way: 808-536-1951
- Hawaii DHS Oahu: 808-586-5734
- Waimanalo Health Center (Native Hawaiian): 808-259-7948
- Next Step Shelter: 808-447-2800
- Hale Mauliola (City of Honolulu container shelter): 808-768-7700
Maui / Maui County (Maui, Molokai, Lanai)
- Maui 211: Dial 211
- Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO): 808-249-2990
- Salvation Army Maui: 808-244-8645
- Catholic Charities Maui: 808-242-5220
- Family Life Center (Maui emergency shelter): 808-579-8414
- Hawaii DHS Maui: 808-984-8200
Hawaii Island (Big Island)
- Big Island 211: Dial 211
- Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation: 808-959-9777
- Catholic Charities Hawaii Island: 808-935-4531
- Salvation Army Hilo: 808-935-8609
- HOPE Services Hawaii (Hilo): 808-935-3050
- West Hawaii Community Health Center (Kona): 808-326-4322
- Hawaii DHS Hilo: 808-974-6842
Kauai
- Kauai 211: Dial 211
- Kauai Economic Opportunity (KEO): 808-245-4077
- Catholic Charities Kauai: 808-245-9544
- Salvation Army Kauai: 808-245-4852
- Kauai Path (CoC coordinator): 808-246-9899
- Hawaii DHS Kauai: 808-274-3327
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 Hawaii can help you navigate the state’s housing programs and island-specific resources.
Connect with your island’s CoC. On Oahu, Partners in Care coordinates the full continuum of housing resources. On neighbor islands, Community Action Agencies and DHS coordinate local resources. Dial 211 to be connected with the right organization.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in Hawaii. RRH programs provide short-term rental assistance and support to help you move from homelessness into housing quickly. Contact your island’s CoC or dial 211 to find RRH programs available near you.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) to apply. Hawaii’s waitlists are among the longest in the country — apply as early as possible.
Contact the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA). HPHA manages public housing and Section 8 vouchers statewide. Contact them at hpha.hawaii.gov or 808-832-4694.
Apply for benefits you may qualify for. If you haven’t already, apply for SNAP food assistance (called SNAP/Food Stamps in Hawaii), Med-QUEST (Hawaii’s Medicaid), and TANF at your local DHS office or at benefits.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in Hawaii tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs on your island. On Oahu, you can also contact IHS directly at 808-447-2800.
Why does Hawaii have so many homeless people?
Hawaii has the highest per-capita homeless rate in the US due to a combination of extremely high housing costs, limited affordable housing stock, a warm climate that makes outdoor living more survivable year-round, and significant in-migration from the US mainland. The state has responded with substantial investment in homeless services.
Are hotel vouchers available on the neighbor islands?
Yes. Community Action Agencies and the Hawaii Balance of State CoC serve Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai. Dial 211 for resources on your specific island. Options may be more limited on smaller islands — call as early as possible.
Are there hotel vouchers specifically for Native Hawaiians?
Several organizations prioritize or specifically serve the Native Hawaiian community, including Waimanalo Health Center on Oahu and various Native Hawaiian community organizations. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) can also help connect Native Hawaiians with housing resources: oha.org or 808-594-1888.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in Hawaii?
Many programs will still help you without a photo ID. If you’ve lost your ID, ask your caseworker or local DHS office about emergency identification assistance.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Hawaii?
Yes. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7) or the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System at 808-433-0600. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays same-day for veterans in crisis.
Are there hotel vouchers for domestic violence survivors in Hawaii?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or the Hawaii State Domestic Violence Hotline at 808-832-9316 for immediate safe housing assistance. The Sex Abuse Treatment Center also provides emergency housing referrals: 808-535-7600.
Are there hotel vouchers after volcanic eruptions or tsunamis in Hawaii?
Yes. If a volcanic eruption, tsunami, or other natural disaster has displaced you, 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 disaster-related housing needs in Hawaii.
What if there are no hotel vouchers available on my island?
If vouchers are unavailable, ask about shelter beds, or contact the National Homeless Hotline at 1-877-466-4782. On neighbor islands, your local Community Action Agency and church networks are often the most accessible backup resources.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in Hawaii tonight, your first call should be to 211. From there, operators can connect you with the nearest available program on your island — whether that’s IHS on Oahu, Maui Economic Opportunity, Kauai Economic Opportunity, or another local organization.
Hawaii has more resources for people experiencing homelessness than its size might suggest. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Hawaii DHS, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army Hawaii
Program availability and funding levels vary by island and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.