If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in Mississippi tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. Mississippi 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 Mississippi-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in Mississippi — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in Mississippi through the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), the Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC), 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 Mississippi?
Several organizations in Mississippi can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) — Mississippi’s primary social services agency manages emergency assistance programs that can cover short-term motel stays for eligible individuals and families. Contact your local MDHS county office or visit mdhs.ms.gov.
Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) — MHC manages Mississippi’s state housing programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local nonprofits providing emergency shelter including hotel and motel placements. Visit mshomecorp.com.
Mississippi 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) — Mississippi 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 in Mississippi.
Salvation Army Mississippi — The Salvation Army operates locations in Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Tupelo, and other cities and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities Mississippi — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, with offices in Jackson, Biloxi, and other communities statewide.
American Red Cross Mississippi — If your housing crisis results from a hurricane, tornado, flood, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost. Mississippi is one of the most disaster-affected states in the country.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many Mississippi churches — from Jackson city congregations to rural Delta communities — maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in Mississippi?
Eligibility varies by program, but most Mississippi 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 Mississippi programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most Mississippi programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness
- Disaster survivors displaced by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or severe storms
- Residents of the Mississippi Delta and rural counties, which face distinct and persistent housing challenges
- Individuals exposed to Mississippi’s extreme summer heat and humidity
Mississippi faces some of the most severe poverty in the nation — particularly in the Delta region — and experiences frequent natural disasters including Gulf Coast hurricanes, inland tornadoes, and flooding. The state’s extreme summer heat and humidity also make emergency housing a health and safety issue. FEMA’s disaster housing programs are frequently activated in Mississippi. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in Mississippi, though having one speeds up the process.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Mississippi (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 Mississippi.” 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 MDHS County Office
The Mississippi Department of Human Services has offices in every county. MDHS administers emergency assistance programs and can connect you with temporary housing funds including motel vouchers for qualifying individuals and families. MDHS also manages TANF (called TANF/CCPP in Mississippi) emergency funds that can cover hotel stays for eligible families with children.
Contact: mdhs.ms.gov | 601-359-4500
Step 3: Contact Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC)
MHC funds emergency shelter and housing programs across Mississippi and can direct you to ESG-funded hotel voucher providers in your region.
Contact: mshomecorp.com | 601-718-4636
Step 4: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
Mississippi’s Community Action Agencies serve counties across the state and often have emergency motel voucher funds available same-day. Key agencies include:
- Central Mississippi Community Action Agency — Jackson / Hinds County area
- Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District — Hattiesburg / southeast Mississippi
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Action Agency — Gulfport / Harrison County
- North Mississippi Rural Legal Services Community Action — Oxford / north Mississippi
- Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation — Greenville / Delta region
- Northeast Mississippi Community Action Agency — Tupelo / northeast Mississippi
Call 211 for the Community Action Agency serving your specific county.
Step 5: Contact the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has locations throughout Mississippi and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch:
- Jackson: 601-353-7999
- Gulfport: 228-864-0909
- Biloxi: 228-374-5717
- Hattiesburg: 601-583-4881
- Meridian: 601-693-3505
- Tupelo: 662-842-9494
- Greenville: 662-334-4241
Step 6: Contact Catholic Charities Mississippi
Catholic Charities provides emergency housing assistance to anyone in need regardless of faith.
- Jackson (Catholic Charities Diocese of Jackson): 601-355-8634
- Biloxi (Catholic Social and Community Services): 228-374-8316
Mississippi Government Programs for Emergency Housing
Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) — Emergency Assistance
MDHS administers Mississippi’s TANF program and can provide emergency housing assistance for eligible families with children. County MDHS offices manage these funds and can authorize temporary motel stays in qualifying situations. MDHS also coordinates with MHC on statewide homelessness programs.
Contact: mdhs.ms.gov | 601-359-4500
Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC)
MHC manages Mississippi’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: mshomecorp.com | 601-718-4636
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — Mississippi
Mississippi receives federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through MHC to local homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when traditional shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: MHC at mshomecorp.com
HUD Continuum of Care — Mississippi CoC Programs
Mississippi has several HUD-funded CoC programs managing regional homeless services. Key CoCs include:
- Jackson/Rankin/Madison Counties CoC
- Gulf Coast CoC (Harrison/Hancock/Stone Counties)
- Balance of State Mississippi CoC — all remaining Mississippi counties
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info
Mississippi’s Hurricane Recovery Housing Programs
Mississippi has extensive experience managing long-term disaster housing recovery following hurricanes Katrina (2005), Ida (2021), and other major storms. The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) manages ongoing disaster recovery housing programs for coastal and inland communities.
Contact: Mississippi Development Authority: 601-359-3449 | mississippi.org
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
Mississippi is one of the most frequently disaster-declared states in the country. If you’ve been displaced by a presidentially declared disaster — such as a hurricane, 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) — Mississippi
Homeless Mississippi veterans have dedicated resources through the VA. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
Mississippi VA Locations:
- G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center (Jackson): 601-362-4471
- Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (Biloxi): 228-523-5000
- Hattiesburg VA Clinic: 601-296-3530
- Oxford VA Clinic: 662-236-3519
- Tupelo VA Clinic: 662-871-0506
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in Mississippi
Salvation Army Mississippi
With locations in Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Tupelo, and Greenville, the Salvation Army is one of Mississippi’s most consistent providers of emergency motel vouchers.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Catholic Charities Mississippi
Serves anyone in need regardless of faith. Provides emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher referrals in Jackson and along the Gulf Coast.
Contact: 601-355-8634 (Jackson) | 228-374-8316 (Biloxi)
Voice of Calvary Ministries — Jackson
Voice of Calvary Ministries provides community development, emergency assistance, and housing support in Jackson’s historically underserved neighborhoods, including connections to hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 601-353-1477 | vocm.org
Mississippi Gulf Coast YMCA — Gulfport/Biloxi
The Gulf Coast YMCA operates social services and can connect individuals in the coastal region with emergency housing resources including hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 228-864-1523 | ymcagulfcoast.org
Gulf Coast Community Action Agency
Provides emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in Harrison, Hancock, and Stone counties along the Gulf Coast.
Contact: 228-868-1440
Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation — Greenville
The Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation serves the Mississippi Delta’s deeply impoverished counties and provides emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for residents of one of the most economically distressed regions in the United States.
Contact: 662-335-3523 | daeoc.com
Open Doors Homeless Coalition — Jackson
Open Doors coordinates homeless services in the Jackson metro area and connects individuals with emergency housing resources including hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 601-352-2269
Hattiesburg Housing Authority / Hattiesburg Community Action
Provides emergency housing assistance and connections to hotel voucher programs for individuals and families in the Hattiesburg / Forrest County area.
Contact: 601-544-2727
Stewpot Community Services — Jackson
Stewpot provides day services, emergency assistance, and housing connections for homeless individuals in Jackson, including hotel voucher referrals.
Contact: 601-353-2759 | stewpot.org
American Red Cross — Mississippi
The Red Cross is one of the most active disaster response organizations in Mississippi, regularly assisting people displaced by the state’s frequent hurricanes, tornadoes, 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 and Region in Mississippi
Jackson / Central Mississippi
Jackson has Mississippi’s largest concentration of homeless services. Key resources include:
- Jackson 211: Dial 211
- Open Doors Homeless Coalition: 601-352-2269
- Stewpot Community Services: 601-353-2759
- Voice of Calvary Ministries: 601-353-1477
- Salvation Army Jackson: 601-353-7999
- Catholic Charities Jackson: 601-355-8634
- Central Mississippi Community Action: 601-372-0605
- MDHS Jackson: 601-359-4500
Gulfport / Biloxi / Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast has Mississippi’s second-largest concentration of services and is highly experienced with disaster housing:
- Gulf Coast 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Gulfport: 228-864-0909
- Salvation Army Biloxi: 228-374-5717
- Catholic Charities Biloxi: 228-374-8316
- Gulf Coast Community Action Agency: 228-868-1440
- FEMA Disaster Assistance: disasterassistance.gov | 1-800-621-3362
- MDHS Gulfport: 228-865-4000
Hattiesburg / Southeast Mississippi
- Hattiesburg 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Hattiesburg: 601-583-4881
- Hattiesburg Housing Authority: 601-544-2727
- Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District: 601-545-2137
- MDHS Hattiesburg: 601-545-6000
Meridian / East Mississippi
- Meridian 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Meridian: 601-693-3505
- East Mississippi Community Action Agency: 601-482-9762
- MDHS Meridian: 601-482-6721
Tupelo / Northeast Mississippi
- Tupelo 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Tupelo: 662-842-9494
- Northeast Mississippi Community Action Agency: 662-842-8285
- MDHS Tupelo: 662-841-9000
Greenville / Mississippi Delta Region
The Delta is one of the most economically distressed regions in the country and has unique emergency housing needs:
- Delta 211: Dial 211
- Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC): 662-335-3523
- Salvation Army Greenville: 662-334-4241
- Delta Council Community Services: 662-843-5495
- MDHS Greenville: 662-334-1456
Oxford / North Mississippi
- Oxford 211: Dial 211
- North Mississippi Rural Legal Services: 662-234-2918
- Lafayette County MDHS: 662-234-0271
- Oxford Emergency Food Pantry (also provides housing referrals): 662-234-0068
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 Mississippi can help you navigate housing programs, disaster recovery benefits, and resources specific to your county.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in Mississippi. 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 Mississippi county.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact MHC at mshomecorp.com or your local public housing authority to apply. Apply as early as possible — waitlists in Jackson and the Gulf Coast can be long.
Apply for Mississippi Emergency Rental Assistance. Contact MHC at mshomecorp.com or dial 211 to ask about current rental assistance programs available in your county.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like the Salvation Army, Stewpot Community Services, Voice of Calvary Ministries, and DAEOC offer transitional housing programs across Mississippi 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, Mississippi Medicaid, and TANF at your local MDHS office or at mdhs.ms.gov or benefits.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in Mississippi tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your Mississippi county. In Jackson, you can also contact Open Doors Homeless Coalition at 601-352-2269 or the Salvation Army at 601-353-7999 directly.
Does Mississippi MDHS provide hotel vouchers?
Yes. Mississippi MDHS manages TANF emergency assistance that can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying families with children. Contact your local county MDHS office directly to ask about available emergency funds.
Are hotel vouchers available after a hurricane or tornado in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi is one of the most frequently disaster-declared states in the country. If a hurricane or 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 disaster-related housing needs.
Are hotel vouchers available in the Mississippi Delta?
Yes. The Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC) serves the Mississippi Delta’s deeply impoverished counties. Dial 211 for resources in your specific Delta county. Local churches are also critical resources in many Delta communities. The Delta’s persistent poverty means resources may be more limited than in Jackson or the Gulf Coast — call as early as possible.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in Mississippi?
Many programs will still help you without a photo ID, though having one speeds up the process. If you’ve lost your ID — especially after a disaster — ask your caseworker or local MDHS office about emergency identification assistance.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Mississippi?
Yes. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7) or the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson at 601-362-4471. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays same-day for veterans in crisis.
Are there hotel vouchers for domestic violence survivors in Mississippi?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-898-3234 (24/7) for immediate safe housing assistance.
Does Mississippi have emergency housing during extreme heat?
Yes. Mississippi’s summers are brutally hot and humid, with heat index values regularly exceeding 110°F in many parts of the state. Cooling centers are activated during extreme heat events. Dial 211 for current cooling center locations in your area. Elderly individuals and those with health conditions are prioritized during heat emergencies.
What if there are no hotel vouchers available in my area?
If vouchers are unavailable, ask about shelter beds or contact the National Homeless Hotline at 1-877-466-4782 for additional options. In rural Mississippi counties — particularly in the Delta — local churches and faith organizations are often the most accessible backup resources.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in Mississippi tonight, your first call should be to 211. From there, operators can connect you with the nearest available program — whether that’s MDHS, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Open Doors, a Community Action Agency, or another local organization serving your county.
Mississippi has resources for you. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Mississippi MDHS, Mississippi Home Corporation, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army Mississippi
Program availability and funding levels vary by county and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.