If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in Minnesota tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. Minnesota has one of the most robust homeless assistance networks in the Midwest, with 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 Minnesota-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in Minnesota — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in Minnesota through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (Minnesota Housing), the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), local Community Action Agencies, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, 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 Minnesota?
Several organizations in Minnesota can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) — Minnesota’s primary social services agency manages emergency assistance programs that can cover short-term motel stays for eligible individuals and families. Contact your local county human services office or visit mn.gov/dhs.
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (Minnesota Housing) — Minnesota Housing manages the state’s housing programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local nonprofits providing emergency shelter including hotel and motel placements. Visit mnhousing.gov.
Minnesota 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. Minnesota’s 211 system covers all 87 counties.
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — Minnesota 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 Minnesota — The Salvation Army operates locations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, and other cities and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis — One of the largest social service organizations in Minnesota, providing emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background across the Twin Cities metro and outstate Minnesota.
American Red Cross Minnesota — If your housing crisis results from a blizzard, flood, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many Minnesota churches — from Twin Cities congregations to rural outstate communities — maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in Minnesota?
Eligibility varies by program, but most Minnesota 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 Minnesota programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most Minnesota programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness
- Disaster survivors displaced by blizzards, floods, or severe storms
- American Indian and Alaska Native individuals — Minnesota has a significant Native American population, particularly in the Twin Cities and on reservations, with dedicated programs
- Individuals exposed to Minnesota’s brutal winters, including the Twin Cities metro and especially Greater Minnesota’s rural communities
Minnesota’s winters are among the most severe in the contiguous United States — with prolonged subzero temperatures, dangerous windchills, and heavy snowfall. Emergency hotel placements are a genuine life-safety issue during Minnesota’s winter months. Minnesota also has the largest urban American Indian population of any U.S. city in Minneapolis, with dedicated homeless services tailored to this community. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in Minnesota, though having one speeds up the process.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Minnesota (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 Minnesota.” Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with the nearest program that has funding available in your county. Minnesota’s 211 covers all 87 counties.
Step 2: Contact Your County Human Services Office
Every Minnesota county has a human services office that administers emergency assistance programs. County offices manage Minnesota’s Emergency General Assistance (EGA) and Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP — Minnesota’s TANF) funds that can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying individuals and families.
Contact: Find your county office at mn.gov/dhs | 651-431-2000
Step 3: Apply for Minnesota Emergency General Assistance (EGA)
Minnesota’s Emergency General Assistance (EGA) program is a critical resource. EGA provides one-time emergency cash assistance — including payments for emergency motel stays — for low-income Minnesota adults who face a sudden housing crisis. Apply at your county human services office.
Contact: Your county human services office | mn.gov/dhs
Step 4: Contact Minnesota Housing
Minnesota Housing funds emergency shelter and housing programs across the state and can direct you to ESG-funded hotel voucher providers in your region.
Contact: mnhousing.gov | 651-296-7608
Step 5: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
Minnesota’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 Suburban Hennepin — suburban Minneapolis
- Scott Carver Dakota CAP Agency — Scott, Carver, and Dakota counties
- Semcac Community Action — southeastern Minnesota
- Tri-County Community Action — central Minnesota
- Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) — Iron Range / northeastern Minnesota
- Community Action Duluth — Duluth / St. Louis County
- West Central Minnesota Communities Action — Willmar / west-central Minnesota
- Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council — Marshall / southwest Minnesota
Call 211 for the Community Action Agency serving your specific county.
Step 6: Contact the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has locations throughout Minnesota and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch:
- Minneapolis: 612-332-5885
- St. Paul: 651-224-4316
- Duluth: 218-722-7934
- Rochester: 507-289-3464
- St. Cloud: 320-251-8831
- Moorhead: 218-233-7473
- Mankato: 507-387-6648
Step 7: Contact Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities has offices throughout Minnesota and provides emergency housing assistance to anyone regardless of faith.
- Minneapolis/St. Paul (Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis): 651-222-3001
- Duluth (Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Duluth): 218-726-8100
- St. Cloud (Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Cloud): 320-650-1580
- Crookston (Catholic Charities Diocese of Crookston): 218-281-4224
Minnesota Government Programs for Emergency Housing
Minnesota Emergency General Assistance (EGA)
Minnesota’s EGA program provides one-time emergency cash assistance for low-income adults facing a sudden crisis — including emergency motel stays. EGA is administered at the county level and is one of Minnesota’s most important emergency housing resources for single adults without children.
Apply: Your county human services office | mn.gov/dhs
Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP)
MFIP is Minnesota’s TANF program and provides cash assistance for eligible families with children, which can cover emergency housing costs including temporary motel stays. Apply at your county human services office.
Contact: mn.gov/dhs | 651-431-2000
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency — State Housing Programs
Minnesota Housing manages the state’s affordable housing programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local service providers. They are a primary funder of emergency shelter and hotel voucher programs statewide.
Contact: mnhousing.gov | 651-296-7608
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — Minnesota
Minnesota receives substantial federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through Minnesota Housing to local homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when traditional shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: Minnesota Housing at mnhousing.gov
HUD Continuum of Care — Minnesota CoC Programs
Minnesota has several HUD-funded CoC programs managing regional homeless services. Key CoCs include:
- Hennepin County CoC (Minneapolis/Hennepin County)
- Ramsey County CoC (St. Paul)
- Dakota County CoC
- Duluth/St. Louis County CoC
- Rochester/Southeast Minnesota CoC
- St. Cloud/Central Minnesota CoC
- Balance of State Minnesota CoC — all remaining Minnesota counties
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info | hennepinhomeless.org (Hennepin County)
Minnesota’s Heading Home Initiative
Minnesota’s Heading Home initiative is a statewide coordinated effort to end homelessness, coordinating housing resources and hotel voucher programs across counties and cities. Contact Minnesota Housing or your local CoC for Heading Home-funded resources in your area.
Contact: mnhousing.gov
Hennepin County Emergency Assistance
For individuals in Hennepin County (Minneapolis), the county administers its own robust emergency assistance programs including emergency motel placements. Contact Hennepin County Human Services directly.
Contact: 612-348-4111 | hennepin.us
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
If you’ve been displaced by a presidentially declared disaster in Minnesota — such as a major flood or severe storm — 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) — Minnesota
Homeless Minnesota veterans have dedicated resources through the VA. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
Minnesota VA Locations:
- Minneapolis VA Health Care System: 612-725-2000
- St. Cloud VA Medical Center: 320-252-1670
- Fargo VA Medical Center (serves western MN): 701-232-3241
- Duluth VA Clinic: 218-722-8654
- Rochester VA Clinic: 507-252-0885
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in Minnesota
Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
One of Minnesota’s largest social service organizations, Catholic Charities operates multiple shelters and service centers in the Twin Cities and provides emergency housing assistance — including hotel voucher connections — for anyone regardless of faith.
Contact: 651-222-3001 | cctwincities.org
Simpson Housing Solutions — Minneapolis
Simpson Housing provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals and families in Minneapolis and Hennepin County.
Contact: 612-874-8511 | simpsonhousing.org
Salvation Army Minnesota
With locations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Rochester, St. Cloud, Moorhead, and Mankato, the Salvation Army is one of Minnesota’s most consistent providers of emergency motel vouchers.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Avivo (formerly RESOURCE) — Minneapolis
Avivo provides emergency housing assistance, mental health services, and substance use treatment with housing connections for homeless individuals in the Twin Cities, including hotel voucher referrals.
Contact: 612-752-8000 | avivomn.org
Clare Housing — Minneapolis
Clare Housing provides supportive housing and emergency housing assistance specifically for people living with HIV/AIDS in Minnesota, including hotel voucher connections.
Contact: 612-545-8400 | clarehousing.org
American Indian Community Development Corporation (AICDC) — Minneapolis
AICDC provides housing assistance, emergency shelter, and hotel voucher connections specifically for the American Indian community in Minneapolis — the largest urban American Indian population in the country.
Contact: 612-722-4432 | aicdc.com
Native American Community Clinic — Minneapolis
Provides healthcare and social services to Minneapolis’s Native American community, including connections to emergency housing resources and hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 612-721-8585 | nativeamericancommunityclinic.org
Community Action Duluth
Community Action Duluth serves St. Louis County and provides emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in the Duluth area.
Contact: 218-726-1665 | communityactionduluth.org
People Incorporated — Twin Cities
People Incorporated provides mental health services, emergency housing, and hotel voucher connections for individuals with mental illness experiencing homelessness in the Twin Cities.
Contact: 651-774-0011 | peopleincorporated.org
Tubman — Twin Cities
Tubman provides emergency shelter, legal services, and housing assistance specifically for domestic violence survivors and their families in the Twin Cities, including hotel voucher assistance.
Contact: 651-646-8328 | tubman.org
American Red Cross — Minnesota
The Red Cross assists people displaced by Minnesota’s blizzards, 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 and Region in Minnesota
Minneapolis / Hennepin County
Minneapolis has Minnesota’s largest concentration of homeless services. Key resources include:
- Minneapolis 211: Dial 211
- Hennepin County Human Services: 612-348-4111
- Catholic Charities Minneapolis: 651-222-3001
- Simpson Housing Solutions: 612-874-8511
- Avivo: 612-752-8000
- AICDC (Native American community): 612-722-4432
- Salvation Army Minneapolis: 612-332-5885
- People Incorporated: 651-774-0011
St. Paul / Ramsey County
- St. Paul 211: Dial 211
- Ramsey County Human Services: 651-266-4444
- Catholic Charities St. Paul: 651-222-3001
- Salvation Army St. Paul: 651-224-4316
- Tubman (DV/emergency): 651-646-8328
- Dorothy Day Place: 651-232-0002
- Listening House of St. Paul: 651-227-3228
Duluth / St. Louis County
- Duluth 211: Dial 211
- Community Action Duluth: 218-726-1665
- Salvation Army Duluth: 218-722-7934
- Catholic Charities Duluth: 218-726-8100
- CHUM (Duluth emergency shelter): 218-720-6521
- St. Louis County Human Services: 218-726-2101
Rochester / Southeast Minnesota
- Rochester 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Rochester: 507-289-3464
- Semcac Community Action: 507-724-2274
- Channel One Regional Food Bank (also housing referrals): 507-289-6770
- Olmsted County Human Services: 507-328-6500
St. Cloud / Central Minnesota
- St. Cloud 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army St. Cloud: 320-251-8831
- Catholic Charities St. Cloud: 320-650-1580
- Tri-County Community Action: 320-255-0506
- Stearns County Human Services: 320-656-6000
Moorhead / Clay County (Red River Valley)
- Moorhead 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Moorhead: 218-233-7473
- Community Action Moorhead: 218-299-7000
- Clay County Human Services: 218-299-5200
- Battered Women’s Network (DV/emergency): 218-236-0218
Bemidji / Northern Minnesota
- Bemidji 211: Dial 211
- Northwest Community Action (NWCA): 218-751-4631
- Salvation Army Bemidji: 218-751-4481
- Beltrami County Human Services: 218-333-8300
- Circle of Life (Native American services): 218-586-2415
Mankato / Southern Minnesota
- Mankato 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Mankato: 507-387-6648
- Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council: 507-532-2259
- Blue Earth County Human Services: 507-304-4335
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 Minnesota can help you navigate housing programs, benefits, and resources specific to your county.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in Minnesota. 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 Minnesota county.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact Minnesota Housing at mnhousing.gov or your local public housing authority to apply. Waitlists in Minneapolis and St. Paul can be long — apply as early as possible and check multiple local housing authorities.
Apply for Minnesota’s Emergency and Long-Term Homeless Housing programs. Contact Minnesota Housing at mnhousing.gov or your county human services office or dial 211 for current programs available in your area.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like Catholic Charities, Simpson Housing, Avivo, and the Salvation Army offer transitional housing programs in Minnesota 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, Minnesota Medicaid (Medical Assistance/MA), and MFIP at your county human services office or at mn.gov/dhs or benefits.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in Minnesota tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your Minnesota county. In Minneapolis, you can also contact Hennepin County Human Services at 612-348-4111 or Catholic Charities at 651-222-3001 directly.
What is Minnesota’s Emergency General Assistance (EGA)?
Minnesota’s EGA program provides one-time emergency cash assistance for low-income adults who face a sudden crisis — including payments for emergency motel stays. EGA is administered by your county human services office and is one of the most important emergency housing resources for single adults in Minnesota. Apply at your county office.
Are hotel vouchers available for American Indian community members in Minnesota?
Yes. Minneapolis has the largest urban American Indian population in the United States, and several organizations specifically serve this community. Contact AICDC at 612-722-4432, the Native American Community Clinic at 612-721-8585, or dial 211 for American Indian-specific emergency housing resources. On reservations, tribal social services can also connect you with emergency housing assistance.
Are hotel vouchers available in rural outstate Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota’s Community Action Agencies and the Balance of State CoC serve all 87 Minnesota counties. Dial 211 for resources in your specific county. In smaller communities, local churches and faith organizations are also critical resources.
Does Minnesota have emergency housing during extreme cold and blizzards?
Yes. Minnesota’s winters are life-threatening, and emergency housing during extreme cold is taken very seriously statewide. The Twin Cities activate cold weather emergency shelter protocols when temperatures drop dangerously low, and local shelters maintain overflow capacity. Dial 211 for current warming center and emergency shelter locations. Many programs prioritize outdoor survival during dangerous cold snaps.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in Minnesota?
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 county human services office about emergency identification assistance. Minnesota has programs to help homeless individuals obtain state ID.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Minnesota?
Yes. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7) or your nearest Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or the Day One Minnesota Crisis Hotline at 1-866-223-1111 (24/7) for immediate safe housing assistance. Tubman (651-646-8328) and other DV-specific organizations in Minnesota can arrange emergency housing quickly.
What if there are no hotel vouchers available in my area?
If vouchers are unavailable, ask about shelter beds or warming centers during winter, or contact the National Homeless Hotline at 1-877-466-4782 for additional options. Your county human services office is also required to help connect you with available resources.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in Minnesota tonight, your first call should be to 211. From there, operators can connect you with the nearest available program — whether that’s your county human services office, Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, a Community Action Agency, or another local organization serving your area.
Minnesota has resources for you. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Minnesota DHS, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army Minnesota
Program availability and funding levels vary by county and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.