If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in Indiana tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. Indiana has a statewide 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 Indiana-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in Indiana — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in Indiana through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA), the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), 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 Indiana?
Several organizations in Indiana can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) — Indiana’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 Family Resources (DFR) office or visit in.gov/fssa.
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) — IHCDA manages Indiana’s state housing programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local nonprofits providing emergency shelter including hotel and motel placements. Visit in.gov/ihcda.
Indiana 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) — Indiana 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 Indiana — The Salvation Army operates locations in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville, Muncie, and other cities and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities Indiana — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, with offices in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and other communities.
American Red Cross Indiana — If your housing crisis results from a tornado, flood, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many Indiana churches — especially in smaller cities and rural counties — maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in Indiana?
Eligibility varies by program, but most Indiana 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 Indiana programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most Indiana programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness
- Disaster survivors displaced by tornadoes, floods, or severe storms
- Individuals exposed to Indiana’s cold winters and severe weather
Indiana sits squarely in Tornado Alley and experiences harsh winters, particularly in northern Indiana near Lake Michigan which receives heavy lake-effect snow. Many programs prioritize individuals exposed to dangerous weather. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in Indiana, though having one speeds up the process.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Indiana (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 Indiana.” 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 Indiana FSSA / DFR Office
The Indiana Division of Family Resources has offices across the state. FSSA and DFR administer emergency assistance programs and can connect you with temporary housing funds including motel vouchers for qualifying individuals and families.
Contact: in.gov/fssa | 800-403-0864
Step 3: Contact Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA)
IHCDA funds emergency shelter and housing programs across Indiana and can direct you to ESG-funded hotel voucher providers in your region.
Contact: in.gov/ihcda | 317-232-7777
Step 4: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
Indiana’s Community Action Agencies serve counties across the state and often have emergency motel voucher funds available same-day. Key agencies include:
- Indianapolis Urban League / Community Action of Greater Indianapolis — Marion County / Indianapolis
- Community Action of Greater Indianapolis (CAGI) — Indianapolis metro
- Community Action Program of Evansville (CAPE) — Evansville / Vanderburgh County
- Fort Wayne Urban League / Brightpoint — Fort Wayne / Allen County
- Community Action of Northeast Indiana — Fort Wayne area
- South Bend Heritage Foundation — South Bend / St. Joseph County
- Community Action of Southern Indiana — New Albany / Floyd County
Call 211 for the Community Action Agency serving your specific county.
Step 5: Contact the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has locations throughout Indiana and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch:
- Indianapolis: 317-637-5551
- Fort Wayne: 260-744-1900
- South Bend: 574-232-5771
- Evansville: 812-425-7777
- Muncie: 765-284-5878
- Lafayette: 765-742-0915
- Terre Haute: 812-235-5333
Step 6: Contact Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities has offices throughout Indiana and provides emergency housing assistance to anyone regardless of faith.
- Indianapolis (Archdiocese of Indianapolis): 317-236-1484
- Fort Wayne (Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend): 260-422-5407
- South Bend: 574-234-3111
- Evansville (Diocese of Evansville): 812-423-5456
Indiana Government Programs for Emergency Housing
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) — Emergency Assistance
FSSA administers Indiana’s TANF program and can provide emergency housing assistance for eligible families with children. The Division of Family Resources (DFR) manages these funds at the county level and can authorize temporary motel stays in qualifying situations.
Contact: in.gov/fssa | 800-403-0864
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA)
IHCDA manages Indiana’s affordable housing programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local service providers. They are the primary funder of emergency shelter and hotel voucher programs statewide.
Contact: in.gov/ihcda | 317-232-7777
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — Indiana
Indiana receives federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through IHCDA to local homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when traditional shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: IHCDA at in.gov/ihcda
HUD Continuum of Care — Indiana CoC Programs
Indiana has several HUD-funded CoC programs managing regional homeless services. Key CoCs include:
- Indianapolis CoC (Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention — CHIP) — Marion County
- Fort Wayne/Allen County CoC
- South Bend/St. Joseph County CoC
- Evansville/Vanderburgh, Posey Counties CoC
- Bloomington/Monroe County CoC
- Balance of State Indiana CoC — all remaining counties
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info | chipindy.org (Indianapolis)
Indiana’s Path to Recovery Program
Indiana has invested in addressing the intersection of homelessness and substance use disorders through the Path to Recovery program, which can provide emergency housing assistance for individuals seeking treatment. Contact FSSA or dial 211 for more information.
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
If you’ve been displaced by a presidentially declared disaster in Indiana — such as a tornado 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) — Indiana
Homeless Indiana veterans have dedicated resources through the VA. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
Indiana VA Locations:
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center (Indianapolis): 317-554-0000
- Northern Indiana VA Health Care System (Fort Wayne): 260-460-1350
- VA Medical Center Marion: 765-662-7330
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in Indiana
Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention (CHIP) — Indianapolis
CHIP leads Indianapolis’s CoC and coordinates emergency housing resources across Marion County. They fund and manage hotel voucher programs and rapid re-housing initiatives throughout Indianapolis.
Contact: 317-630-0853 | chipindy.org
Horizon House — Indianapolis
Horizon House is one of Indianapolis’s primary day service centers for homeless individuals, providing connections to emergency shelter, hotel vouchers, and housing programs.
Contact: 317-637-4551 | horizonhouseindy.org
Salvation Army Indiana
With locations in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville, Muncie, Lafayette, and Terre Haute, the Salvation Army is one of Indiana’s most consistent providers of emergency motel vouchers.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Catholic Charities Indiana
Multiple dioceses across Indiana provide emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher referrals regardless of faith background.
Brightpoint — Fort Wayne
Brightpoint is northeastern Indiana’s Community Action Agency, providing emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in Fort Wayne and Allen County.
Contact: 260-423-3546 | brightpoint.net
Center for the Homeless — South Bend
The Center for the Homeless is South Bend’s primary homeless service provider, offering emergency shelter, transitional housing, and connections to hotel voucher programs for individuals and families in St. Joseph County.
Contact: 574-288-4842 | centerforthhomeless.org
Easterseals Crossroads / Community Action of Greater Indianapolis — Indianapolis
Community Action of Greater Indianapolis provides emergency assistance and connections to hotel voucher programs for low-income individuals and families in the Indianapolis metro area.
Contact: 317-396-1800 | cagi.org
Providence Cristo Rey / Bethlehem House — Indianapolis
Bethlehem House provides emergency shelter and transitional housing in Indianapolis and can connect individuals with hotel voucher programs when shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: 317-916-1370
Interfaith Hospitality Network / Family Promise of Greater Indianapolis
Family Promise provides emergency shelter and housing assistance specifically for families with children in the Indianapolis area, including connections to hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 317-638-4673 | familypromiseindy.org
American Red Cross — Indiana
The Red Cross assists people displaced by Indiana’s tornadoes, floods, and severe 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 Indiana
Indianapolis / Marion County
Indianapolis has Indiana’s largest concentration of homeless services. Key resources include:
- Indianapolis 211: Dial 211
- CHIP (CoC Lead): 317-630-0853
- Horizon House: 317-637-4551
- Salvation Army Indianapolis: 317-637-5551
- Catholic Charities Indianapolis: 317-236-1484
- Family Promise Indianapolis: 317-638-4673
- Bethlehem House: 317-916-1370
- FSSA / DFR Indianapolis: 317-264-2100
Fort Wayne / Allen County
- Fort Wayne 211: Dial 211
- Brightpoint: 260-423-3546
- Salvation Army Fort Wayne: 260-744-1900
- Catholic Charities Fort Wayne: 260-422-5407
- Rescue Mission of Fort Wayne: 260-426-7357
- FSSA / DFR Fort Wayne: 260-449-7000
South Bend / St. Joseph County
- South Bend 211: Dial 211
- Center for the Homeless: 574-288-4842
- Salvation Army South Bend: 574-232-5771
- Catholic Charities South Bend: 574-234-3111
- Community Action — South Bend: 574-232-9957
- FSSA / DFR South Bend: 574-246-5000
Evansville / Southwest Indiana
- Evansville 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Evansville: 812-425-7777
- Catholic Charities Evansville: 812-423-5456
- CAPE Community Action: 812-425-4241
- Lampion Center (DV/emergency): 812-422-1191
- FSSA / DFR Evansville: 812-492-3800
Muncie / East-Central Indiana
- Muncie 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Muncie: 765-284-5878
- Love Chapel (emergency assistance): 765-284-4112
- Community Action of Muncie/Delaware County: 765-747-4988
- FSSA / DFR Muncie: 765-751-4800
Lafayette / Tippecanoe County
- Lafayette 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Lafayette: 765-742-0915
- Faith Mission Lafayette: 765-742-0048
- Community Action of Western Indiana: 765-423-5361
- FSSA / DFR Lafayette: 765-771-3600
Bloomington / Monroe County
- Bloomington 211: Dial 211
- New Hope for Families: 812-339-9034
- Interfaith Winter Shelter: 812-334-6997
- Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard (also assists with housing): 812-355-6843
- FSSA / DFR Bloomington: 812-339-7000
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 Indiana can help you navigate housing programs, benefits, and resources specific to your county.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in Indiana. 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 Indiana county.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact IHCDA or your local public housing authority to apply. Waitlists in Indianapolis can be long — apply as early as possible and check for open waitlists in surrounding counties.
Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance. Contact IHCDA at in.gov/ihcda or dial 211 to ask about current rental assistance programs available in your county.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like the Center for the Homeless, Brightpoint, Horizon House, and the Salvation Army offer transitional housing programs in Indiana with support services to help you build long-term stability.
Apply for benefits you may qualify for. If you haven’t already, apply for SNAP food assistance, Indiana Medicaid (Healthy Indiana Plan — HIP), and TANF at your local DFR office or at fssabenefits.in.gov or benefits.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in Indiana tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your Indiana county. In Indianapolis, you can also contact CHIP at 317-630-0853 or Horizon House at 317-637-4551 directly.
Does Indiana FSSA provide hotel vouchers?
Yes. Indiana FSSA manages TANF emergency assistance that can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying families with children. Contact your local county DFR office directly to ask about available emergency funds.
Are hotel vouchers available in rural Indiana counties?
Yes. The Balance of State Indiana CoC and Community Action Agencies serve rural counties throughout Indiana. Dial 211 to find the nearest available program in your county. In smaller communities, local churches are also an important resource.
Does Indiana have emergency housing for lake-effect snow emergencies?
Yes. Northern Indiana communities near Lake Michigan — including South Bend, Gary, and Michigan City — regularly experience severe lake-effect snow. Local shelters and emergency programs in these areas maintain winter overflow capacity including hotel voucher funds. Dial 211 for current emergency shelter and warming center locations.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in Indiana?
Many programs will still help you without a photo ID, though having one speeds up the process. If you’ve lost your ID, ask your caseworker or local DFR office about emergency identification assistance.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Indiana?
Yes. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7) or your nearest Indiana 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 Indiana?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or the Indiana Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-332-7385 (24/7) for immediate safe housing assistance.
Are there hotel vouchers after tornadoes in Indiana?
Yes. If a tornado 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 tornado-related housing needs across Indiana.
What if there are no hotel vouchers available in my area?
If vouchers are unavailable, ask about shelter beds, warming centers during winter, or contact the National Homeless Hotline at 1-877-466-4782 for additional options.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in Indiana tonight, your first call should be to 211. From there, operators can connect you with the nearest available program — whether that’s CHIP, the Salvation Army, Brightpoint, the Center for the Homeless, or a Community Action Agency in your county.
Indiana has resources for you. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Indiana FSSA, Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army Indiana
Program availability and funding levels vary by county and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.