If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in New Jersey tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. New Jersey has one of the most comprehensive homeless assistance networks on the East Coast, 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 New Jersey-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in New Jersey — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in New Jersey through the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), local County Welfare 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 New Jersey?
Several organizations in New Jersey can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) — New Jersey’s primary housing agency manages the state’s emergency shelter programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local nonprofits providing emergency shelter including hotel and motel placements. Visit nj.gov/dca.
New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) — DHS manages emergency assistance programs including General Assistance (GA) and Work First New Jersey (WFNJ — New Jersey’s TANF) that can cover short-term motel stays for eligible individuals and families. Visit nj.gov/humanservices.
New Jersey 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. NJ 211 covers all 21 counties.
County Welfare Agencies (CWAs) — Every New Jersey county has a County Welfare Agency that administers General Assistance and emergency housing funds. CWAs are often the fastest direct source of emergency motel vouchers in New Jersey.
Salvation Army New Jersey — The Salvation Army operates locations in Newark, Trenton, Camden, Paterson, Atlantic City, and other cities and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities New Jersey — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, with offices in nearly every New Jersey diocese serving communities statewide.
American Red Cross New Jersey — If your housing crisis results from a hurricane, nor’easter, flood, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many New Jersey churches — from urban Newark and Camden congregations to suburban and shore communities — maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in New Jersey?
Eligibility varies by program, but most New Jersey 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 New Jersey programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most New Jersey programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness
- Disaster survivors displaced by hurricanes, nor’easters, or flooding — New Jersey has experienced several major disasters including Superstorm Sandy (2012)
- Immigrants and undocumented individuals — New Jersey has significant immigrant populations, and several programs serve individuals regardless of immigration status
- Individuals exposed to extreme summer heat or harsh winter cold
New Jersey is one of the most densely populated states in the nation, which both concentrates homeless populations in urban areas like Newark, Trenton, and Camden and also supports a robust network of services. The state has also made significant investments in homeless services following Superstorm Sandy. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in New Jersey, though having one speeds up the process.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in New Jersey (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 New Jersey.” Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with the nearest program that has funding available in your county.
Step 2: Contact Your County Welfare Agency (CWA)
Every New Jersey county has a County Welfare Agency that administers General Assistance (GA) and emergency housing funds directly. CWAs can authorize emergency motel stays for qualifying individuals and families — often same day. This is one of New Jersey’s most direct routes to an emergency hotel voucher.
Find your county CWA at: nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/programs/ga/ or dial 211.
Key county CWA contacts:
- Essex County (Newark): 973-395-8350
- Hudson County (Jersey City): 201-369-4400
- Camden County: 856-374-6100
- Mercer County (Trenton): 609-989-6800
- Passaic County (Paterson): 973-881-4800
- Atlantic County (Atlantic City): 609-645-7700
- Middlesex County: 732-745-3250
- Monmouth County: 732-431-6000
- Ocean County: 732-349-1500
- Bergen County: 201-336-7600
Step 3: Contact New Jersey DCA
New Jersey DCA manages the state’s Homelessness Prevention Program and ESG-funded emergency shelter programs. They can connect you with local providers and hotel voucher programs in your county.
Contact: nj.gov/dca | 609-292-6420
Step 4: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency or Homeless Service Provider
New Jersey has numerous community organizations providing emergency motel voucher assistance. Key organizations include:
- Covenant House New Jersey — Newark / youth and young adults
- Eva’s Village — Paterson
- HomeFront — Mercer County / Trenton area
- Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Newark — Essex County
- Cape May County Social Services — Cape May
- Community Hope — Morris County
Call 211 for the provider serving your specific county.
Step 5: Contact the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has locations throughout New Jersey and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch:
- Newark: 973-483-5500
- Trenton: 609-695-5947
- Camden: 856-966-0145
- Paterson: 973-279-4108
- Atlantic City: 609-345-5517
- Elizabeth: 908-352-5803
- New Brunswick: 732-545-1234
- Toms River: 732-240-2470
Step 6: Contact Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities has offices across New Jersey and provides emergency housing assistance to anyone regardless of faith.
- Newark (Catholic Charities Diocese of Newark): 973-596-4100
- Trenton (Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton): 609-394-5181
- Camden (Catholic Charities Diocese of Camden): 856-342-4119
- Metuchen (Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen): 732-562-1990
- Paterson (Catholic Charities Diocese of Paterson): 973-279-7100
New Jersey Government Programs for Emergency Housing
General Assistance (GA) — New Jersey
New Jersey’s General Assistance program is one of the state’s most important emergency housing resources. GA provides cash assistance to qualifying adults without children and can cover emergency motel stays. GA is administered by County Welfare Agencies. Apply at your county CWA — this is often the fastest direct route to an emergency hotel voucher in New Jersey.
Contact: Your county CWA | nj.gov/humanservices
Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) — New Jersey’s TANF
WFNJ is New Jersey’s TANF program and provides cash and emergency assistance for eligible families with children, which can cover temporary motel stays. Apply at your county CWA.
Contact: nj.gov/humanservices | Your county CWA
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) — Homelessness Prevention
DCA administers New Jersey’s Homelessness Prevention Program and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local homeless service providers. DCA also operates the Emergency Assistance Program which can provide emergency motel placements for qualifying individuals and families.
Contact: nj.gov/dca | 609-292-6420
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — New Jersey
New Jersey receives substantial federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through DCA to local homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when traditional shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: DCA at nj.gov/dca
HUD Continuum of Care — New Jersey CoC Programs
New Jersey has numerous HUD-funded CoC programs managing regional homeless services. Key CoCs include:
- Newark CoC (Monarch Housing Associates)
- Trenton/Mercer County CoC
- Camden City and County CoC
- Paterson/Passaic County CoC
- Atlantic City/Cape May/Salinas CoC
- Monmouth County CoC
- Morris County CoC
- Balance of State New Jersey CoC
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info | monarchhousing.org (statewide coordination)
New Jersey’s State Homelessness Policy
New Jersey has invested significantly in addressing homelessness, including dedicating state funds beyond federal ESG to local providers. The state’s Supportive Housing program and Homelessness Prevention Program are key funding sources for emergency hotel vouchers statewide.
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
If you’ve been displaced by a presidentially declared disaster in New Jersey — such as a hurricane, nor’easter, or flood — FEMA’s TSA program can place you in a participating hotel or motel at no cost. This program was extensively used following Superstorm Sandy in 2012.
Apply: disasterassistance.gov | 1-800-621-3362
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) — New Jersey
Homeless New Jersey veterans have dedicated resources through the VA. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
New Jersey VA Locations:
- VA New Jersey Health Care System (East Orange): 973-676-1000
- Lyons VA Medical Center: 908-647-0180
- Wilmington VA Medical Center (serves South Jersey): 302-994-2511
- Atlantic City VA Clinic: 609-677-3000
- Trenton VA Clinic: 609-989-5765
- Brick VA Clinic: 732-206-8900
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in New Jersey
Covenant House New Jersey — Newark
Covenant House NJ provides emergency shelter and hotel voucher connections specifically for homeless youth and young adults (ages 18–21) in the Newark area and northern New Jersey.
Contact: 908-327-3336 | covenanthousenj.org
Eva’s Village — Paterson
Eva’s Village is one of northern New Jersey’s largest homeless service providers, offering emergency shelter, transitional housing, and connections to hotel voucher programs for homeless individuals in Passaic County.
Contact: 973-523-6220 | evasvillage.org
HomeFront — Trenton/Mercer County
HomeFront is one of central New Jersey’s primary homeless and housing instability service providers, offering emergency assistance, rapid re-housing, and hotel voucher connections for families and individuals in Mercer County.
Contact: 609-989-9417 | homefrontnj.org
Salvation Army New Jersey
With locations in Newark, Trenton, Camden, Paterson, Atlantic City, Elizabeth, New Brunswick, and Toms River, the Salvation Army is one of New Jersey’s most consistent providers of emergency motel vouchers.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Catholic Charities New Jersey
Multiple dioceses across New Jersey provide emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher referrals regardless of faith background.
Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Newark
Provides emergency shelter and hotel voucher connections for homeless families in Essex County through a network of faith communities.
Contact: 973-481-8787 | ihn-essex.org
Community Hope — Morris County
Community Hope provides permanent supportive housing and emergency housing assistance for homeless veterans and adults with mental illness in Morris County and northern New Jersey, including hotel voucher connections.
Contact: 973-463-9600 | communityhope-nj.org
Monarch Housing Associates — Statewide
Monarch Housing Associates is New Jersey’s leading housing advocacy organization and manages several CoC programs statewide. They can connect individuals with emergency housing resources across New Jersey.
Contact: 973-744-5523 | monarchhousing.org
Affordable Housing Alliance — Monmouth County
The Affordable Housing Alliance provides emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in Monmouth County.
Contact: 732-389-2958 | affordablehousingalliance.org
Toms River-based Ocean County HOPES — Ocean County
HOPES provides emergency housing assistance and connections to hotel voucher programs for individuals and families in Ocean County.
Contact: 732-506-5088
American Red Cross — New Jersey
The Red Cross assists people displaced by New Jersey’s hurricanes, nor’easters, 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 New Jersey
Newark / Essex County
Newark has New Jersey’s largest concentration of homeless services. Key resources include:
- Newark 211: Dial 211
- Covenant House NJ: 908-327-3336
- Interfaith Hospitality Network Essex: 973-481-8787
- Salvation Army Newark: 973-483-5500
- Catholic Charities Newark: 973-596-4100
- Essex County CWA: 973-395-8350
- NJ DHS Newark: 973-648-3090
Jersey City / Hudson County
- Jersey City 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Jersey City: 201-433-7100
- Catholic Charities Hudson County: 201-653-0344
- Hudson County CWA: 201-369-4400
- People’s Organization for Progress (housing advocacy): 973-242-1545
Trenton / Mercer County
- Trenton 211: Dial 211
- HomeFront: 609-989-9417
- Salvation Army Trenton: 609-695-5947
- Catholic Charities Trenton: 609-394-5181
- Mercer County CWA: 609-989-6800
- NJ DHS Trenton: 609-292-7524
Camden / Camden County
- Camden 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Camden: 856-966-0145
- Catholic Charities Camden: 856-342-4119
- Volunteers of America Delaware Valley: 856-964-6306
- Camden County CWA: 856-374-6100
Paterson / Passaic County
- Paterson 211: Dial 211
- Eva’s Village: 973-523-6220
- Salvation Army Paterson: 973-279-4108
- Catholic Charities Paterson: 973-279-7100
- Passaic County CWA: 973-881-4800
Atlantic City / Atlantic County
- Atlantic City 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Atlantic City: 609-345-5517
- Catholic Charities Atlantic City: 609-344-4447
- Atlantic County CWA: 609-645-7700
- South Jersey AIDS Alliance (also provides housing): 609-347-1085
Toms River / Ocean County
- Toms River 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Toms River: 732-240-2470
- Ocean County HOPES: 732-506-5088
- Ocean County CWA: 732-349-1500
New Brunswick / Middlesex County
- New Brunswick 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army New Brunswick: 732-545-1234
- Catholic Charities Metuchen: 732-562-1990
- Middlesex County CWA: 732-745-3250
- Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County (serves all): 732-777-1940
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 New Jersey can help you navigate housing programs, benefits, and resources specific to your county.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in New Jersey. 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 New Jersey county.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact DCA at nj.gov/dca or your local housing authority to apply. Waitlists in Newark, Trenton, and Camden can be extremely long — apply as early as possible and check multiple housing authorities.
Apply for New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance. Contact DCA at nj.gov/dca or dial 211 to ask about current rental assistance programs available in your county.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like Covenant House NJ, Eva’s Village, HomeFront, Community Hope, and the Salvation Army offer transitional housing programs in New Jersey 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, NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey Medicaid), and Work First NJ (WFNJ/TANF) at your county CWA or at nj.gov/humanservices or benefits.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in New Jersey tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your New Jersey county. You should also contact your county’s County Welfare Agency (CWA) directly — CWAs administer General Assistance and can authorize emergency motel stays. Find your county CWA at nj.gov/humanservices.
What is General Assistance (GA) in New Jersey and can it pay for a hotel?
Yes. New Jersey’s General Assistance program provides cash assistance to qualifying low-income adults without children and can cover emergency motel stays. GA is administered by your county’s County Welfare Agency (CWA). Contact your county CWA directly to apply — this is often the fastest way to get emergency housing in New Jersey.
Does NJ DCA provide hotel vouchers?
Yes. New Jersey DCA manages the state’s Homelessness Prevention Program and Emergency Assistance programs, both of which can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying individuals and families. Contact DCA at 609-292-6420 or your county CWA.
Are hotel vouchers available regardless of immigration status in New Jersey?
New Jersey has several programs that serve individuals regardless of immigration status, particularly in counties with large immigrant populations like Hudson, Essex, and Passaic. Catholic Charities and several community organizations serve immigrants regardless of status. Dial 211 and ask specifically about immigration-inclusive programs in your county.
Are hotel vouchers available at the Jersey Shore (Ocean and Monmouth counties)?
Yes. The Affordable Housing Alliance serves Monmouth County (732-389-2958) and Ocean County HOPES serves Ocean County (732-506-5088). The Salvation Army also has offices in both counties. Dial 211 for current resources.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in New Jersey?
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 CWA about New Jersey’s emergency identification assistance programs.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in New Jersey?
Yes. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7) or the VA New Jersey Health Care System at 973-676-1000. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays same-day for veterans in crisis.
Are there hotel vouchers for domestic violence survivors in New Jersey?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-572-7233 (24/7) for immediate safe housing assistance.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless youth in New Jersey?
Yes. Covenant House New Jersey in Newark (908-327-3336) serves homeless youth and young adults up to age 21. Dial 211 for youth-specific emergency housing resources in your county.
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. Your county CWA is legally required to help connect you with available resources.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in New Jersey tonight, your first call should be to 211 — and your second should be to your county’s County Welfare Agency. New Jersey’s GA program means your county CWA has emergency funds available, and you have a right to apply.
New Jersey has resources for you. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: New Jersey DCA, New Jersey DHS, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army New Jersey
Program availability and funding levels vary by county and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.