If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in North Carolina tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. North Carolina 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 North Carolina-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in North Carolina — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in North Carolina through the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA), local County Departments of Social Services (DSS), 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 North Carolina?
Several organizations in North Carolina can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) — North Carolina’s primary social services agency manages emergency assistance programs and distributes funding to county DSS offices statewide. Visit ncdhhs.gov.
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) — NCHFA manages North Carolina’s state housing programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local nonprofits providing emergency shelter including hotel and motel placements. Visit nchfa.com.
County Departments of Social Services (DSS) — Every North Carolina county has a DSS office that administers Work First Family Assistance (WFFA — North Carolina’s TANF) and Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) funds. County DSS offices can connect qualifying individuals and families with emergency motel assistance.
North Carolina 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. NC 211 covers all 100 counties.
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — North Carolina 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 North Carolina — The Salvation Army operates locations in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Asheville, and other cities and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities North Carolina — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, with offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, and other communities statewide.
American Red Cross North Carolina — If your housing crisis results from a hurricane, flood, tornado, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost. North Carolina is one of the most hurricane-impacted states on the East Coast.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many North Carolina churches — from urban Charlotte and Raleigh congregations to rural mountain and coastal plain communities — maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in North Carolina?
Eligibility varies by program, but most North Carolina 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 North Carolina programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most North Carolina programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness
- Disaster survivors displaced by hurricanes, floods, or tornadoes — North Carolina is one of the most hurricane-affected states in the U.S., with devastating impacts from storms including Floyd (1999), Matthew (2016), Florence (2018), and Helene (2024)
- Residents of western North Carolina mountain communities, which were severely impacted by Hurricane Helene in 2024
- Migrant and seasonal agricultural workers — North Carolina has one of the largest farmworker populations in the South
- Individuals exposed to North Carolina’s summer heat and humidity, particularly in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions
North Carolina’s geography creates diverse emergency housing needs — from hurricane-prone coastal communities to flood-vulnerable river basins in the Piedmont to the isolated mountain communities of the western Blue Ridge, which were devastated by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in North Carolina, though having one speeds up the process.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in North Carolina (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 North Carolina.” Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with the nearest program that has funding available in your county. NC 211 covers all 100 counties.
Step 2: Contact Your County Department of Social Services (DSS)
Every North Carolina county has a DSS office. County DSS offices administer Work First Family Assistance (WFFA/TANF) emergency funds and the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP), which can cover emergency housing costs including temporary motel stays for qualifying individuals and families.
Find your county DSS at: ncdhhs.gov or dial 211.
Key county DSS contacts:
- Mecklenburg County (Charlotte) DSS: 704-336-3000
- Wake County (Raleigh) DSS: 919-212-1900
- Guilford County (Greensboro) DSS: 336-641-7700
- Forsyth County (Winston-Salem) DSS: 336-703-3000
- Durham County DSS: 919-560-8000
- Buncombe County (Asheville) DSS: 828-250-5500
- Cumberland County (Fayetteville) DSS: 910-323-1500
- New Hanover County (Wilmington) DSS: 910-798-3400
Step 3: Contact North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA)
NCHFA funds emergency shelter and housing programs across North Carolina and can direct you to ESG-funded hotel voucher providers in your region.
Contact: nchfa.com | 919-877-5700
Step 4: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
North Carolina’s Community Action Agencies serve counties across the state and often have emergency motel voucher funds available same-day. Key agencies include:
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg Community Relations (Mecklenburg) — Charlotte area
- Community Action Inc. of Central North Carolina — Raleigh / Wake County area
- Greensboro Housing Coalition — Guilford County
- Experiment in Self-Reliance — Forsyth County / Winston-Salem
- Durham Community Action (Families Moving Forward) — Durham County
- Western Carolina Community Action — Asheville / Buncombe and surrounding western NC counties
- CARO (Community Action of Rockingham and Caswell) — northern Piedmont
Call 211 for the Community Action Agency serving your specific county.
Step 5: Contact the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has locations throughout North Carolina and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch:
- Charlotte: 704-348-2560
- Raleigh: 919-834-6733
- Greensboro: 336-272-8878
- Durham: 919-688-6139
- Winston-Salem: 336-723-1202
- Asheville: 828-253-4723
- Fayetteville: 910-483-7124
- Wilmington: 910-762-3604
- Hickory: 828-328-2370
Step 6: Contact Catholic Charities North Carolina
Catholic Charities provides emergency housing assistance to anyone in need regardless of faith.
- Raleigh (Catholic Charities Diocese of Raleigh): 919-832-0225
- Charlotte (Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte): 704-370-3220
North Carolina Government Programs for Emergency Housing
North Carolina DHHS — Work First Family Assistance (WFFA)
WFFA is North Carolina’s TANF program and provides emergency assistance for eligible families with children, which can cover temporary motel stays. Apply at your county DSS office.
Contact: ncdhhs.gov | Your county DSS
Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) — North Carolina
North Carolina’s Crisis Intervention Program provides emergency energy and utility assistance and, in some counties, emergency housing assistance including motel vouchers. CIP is administered by county DSS offices and Community Action Agencies.
Contact: Your county DSS | ncdhhs.gov
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA)
NCHFA manages North Carolina’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: nchfa.com | 919-877-5700
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — North Carolina
North Carolina receives substantial federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through NCHFA to local homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when traditional shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: NCHFA at nchfa.com
HUD Continuum of Care — North Carolina CoC Programs
North Carolina has numerous HUD-funded CoC programs managing regional homeless services. Key CoCs include:
- Charlotte/Mecklenburg County CoC
- Raleigh/Wake County CoC
- Greensboro/High Point/Guilford County CoC
- Winston-Salem/Forsyth County CoC
- Durham City and County CoC
- Asheville/Buncombe County CoC
- Fayetteville/Cumberland County CoC
- Wilmington/Brunswick/New Hanover/Pender Counties CoC
- Balance of State North Carolina CoC
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info | nchomeless.org (NC Coalition to End Homelessness)
Hurricane Helene Recovery Housing Programs
Western North Carolina was devastated by Hurricane Helene in September 2024, causing catastrophic flooding across Buncombe, Haywood, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford, Watauga, and Yancey counties and surrounding areas. Emergency housing assistance — including hotel and motel placements — has been a major priority for recovery.
If you were displaced by Hurricane Helene or other recent disasters, contact:
- FEMA: disasterassistance.gov | 1-800-621-3362
- NC Emergency Management: 919-825-2500 | ncdps.gov
- Helene recovery hotline: 211 (press option for disaster assistance)
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
North Carolina 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 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) — North Carolina
Homeless North Carolina veterans have dedicated resources through the VA. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
North Carolina VA Locations:
- Durham VA Medical Center: 919-286-0411
- Fayetteville VA Medical Center: 910-488-2120
- Asheville VA Medical Center: 828-298-7911
- Salisbury VA Medical Center (W.G. Hefner): 704-638-9000
- Charlotte VA Clinic: 704-329-1400
- Raleigh VA Clinic: 919-747-3400
- Wilmington VA Clinic: 910-343-2400
- Winston-Salem VA Clinic: 336-768-3296
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in North Carolina
Salvation Army North Carolina
With locations in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem, Asheville, Fayetteville, Wilmington, and Hickory, the Salvation Army is one of North Carolina’s most consistent statewide providers of emergency motel vouchers.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Catholic Charities North Carolina
Diocesan offices in Raleigh and Charlotte provide emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher referrals regardless of faith background, serving communities across the state.
Urban Ministry Center — Charlotte
The Urban Ministry Center provides emergency shelter, day services, and housing connections for homeless individuals in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, including connections to hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 704-347-0278 | urbanministrycharlotte.org
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle / Housing Programs — Raleigh
Provides emergency housing assistance and connections to hotel voucher programs in the Raleigh and Wake County area.
Contact: 919-250-0043 | foodshuttle.org
Passage Home — Raleigh
Passage Home provides emergency housing assistance, rapid re-housing, and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals and families in Wake County and the Research Triangle area.
Contact: 919-838-1552 | passagehome.org
Greensboro Urban Ministry
Greensboro Urban Ministry is one of the Triad’s primary homeless service providers, offering emergency shelter, meals, and connections to hotel voucher programs for homeless individuals in Guilford County.
Contact: 336-271-5959 | greensboroministries.org
Samaritan Ministries — Winston-Salem
Samaritan Ministries provides emergency shelter and housing connections for homeless individuals and families in Forsyth County and the Winston-Salem area.
Contact: 336-721-9090 | samaritanministriesws.org
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries — Asheville
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries provides emergency shelter and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals in Buncombe County and western North Carolina.
Contact: 828-253-5765 | wcrm.org
Homeward — Richmond
Homeward is the CoC coordinator for the Richmond region that also advises North Carolina communities on best practices; within NC, the NC Coalition to End Homelessness (NCCEH) plays a similar statewide coordination role.
NCCEH Contact: 919-755-9990 | nchomeless.org
Experiment in Self-Reliance (ESR) — Winston-Salem
ESR is the Community Action Agency serving Forsyth County and provides emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in the Winston-Salem area.
Contact: 336-722-9400 | esrinc.org
Families Moving Forward — Durham
Families Moving Forward provides emergency shelter and hotel voucher connections specifically for homeless families in Durham County, operating through a network of faith communities.
Contact: 919-680-1033 | familiesforwardnc.org
American Red Cross — North Carolina
The Red Cross is one of the most active disaster response organizations in North Carolina, regularly assisting people displaced by the state’s hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. 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 North Carolina
Charlotte / Mecklenburg County
Charlotte has North Carolina’s largest concentration of homeless services. Key resources include:
- Charlotte 211: Dial 211
- Urban Ministry Center: 704-347-0278
- Salvation Army Charlotte: 704-348-2560
- Catholic Charities Charlotte: 704-370-3220
- Roof Above (men’s shelter): 704-375-0294
- Crisis Assistance Ministry: 704-371-3001
- Mecklenburg County DSS: 704-336-3000
Raleigh / Wake County
- Raleigh 211: Dial 211
- Passage Home: 919-838-1552
- Salvation Army Raleigh: 919-834-6733
- Catholic Charities Raleigh: 919-832-0225
- Interact (DV/emergency): 919-828-7501
- Wake County DSS: 919-212-1900
Greensboro / Guilford County
- Greensboro 211: Dial 211
- Greensboro Urban Ministry: 336-271-5959
- Salvation Army Greensboro: 336-272-8878
- Interactive Resource Center: 336-273-0349
- Guilford County DSS: 336-641-7700
Winston-Salem / Forsyth County
- Winston-Salem 211: Dial 211
- Samaritan Ministries: 336-721-9090
- Experiment in Self-Reliance: 336-722-9400
- Salvation Army Winston-Salem: 336-723-1202
- Forsyth County DSS: 336-703-3000
Durham / Research Triangle
- Durham 211: Dial 211
- Families Moving Forward: 919-680-1033
- Salvation Army Durham: 919-688-6139
- Durham County DSS: 919-560-8000
- Durham Rescue Mission: 919-688-9641
Asheville / Western North Carolina
Western NC was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene in 2024. Resources include:
- Asheville 211: Dial 211 (also press option for disaster assistance)
- Western Carolina Rescue Ministries: 828-253-5765
- Salvation Army Asheville: 828-253-4723
- FEMA Disaster Assistance: 1-800-621-3362
- NC Emergency Management: 919-825-2500
- Buncombe County DSS: 828-250-5500
Fayetteville / Cumberland County
- Fayetteville 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Fayetteville: 910-483-7124
- Cumberland County DSS: 910-323-1500
- Methodist University (emergency referrals): 910-630-7000
- Cape Fear Valley (emergency assistance referrals): 910-615-4000
Wilmington / Brunswick and New Hanover Counties
Wilmington is on North Carolina’s hurricane-vulnerable coast:
- Wilmington 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Wilmington: 910-762-3604
- Good Shepherd Center: 910-763-4424
- FEMA Disaster Assistance: 1-800-621-3362
- New Hanover County DSS: 910-798-3400
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 North Carolina can help you navigate housing programs, disaster recovery benefits, and resources specific to your county.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina county.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact NCHFA at nchfa.com or your local housing authority to apply. Waitlists in Charlotte and Raleigh can be long — apply as early as possible.
Apply for North Carolina Emergency Rental Assistance. Contact NCHFA at nchfa.com or dial 211 to ask about current rental assistance programs available in your county.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like Urban Ministry Center, Passage Home, Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, Greensboro Urban Ministry, and the Salvation Army offer transitional housing programs across North Carolina 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, North Carolina Medicaid, and Work First Family Assistance (TANF) at your county DSS office or at epass.nc.gov or benefits.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in North Carolina tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your North Carolina county. You can also contact your county DSS office directly — county DSS offices administer emergency funds that can cover motel stays for qualifying individuals and families.
Are hotel vouchers available for Hurricane Helene survivors in western North Carolina?
Yes. Western North Carolina was catastrophically impacted by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. FEMA’s TSA program provides hotel and motel placements for disaster survivors after a presidential disaster declaration. Apply at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362. Also dial 211 and press the option for disaster assistance, or contact NC Emergency Management at 919-825-2500.
Does North Carolina have emergency housing for hurricane survivors on the coast?
Yes. North Carolina’s coast is one of the most hurricane-vulnerable in the country. After any presidentially declared hurricane disaster, FEMA’s TSA program activates hotel placements. The Red Cross also responds immediately. Dial 211 and ask about disaster housing assistance in your county.
Are hotel vouchers available for migrant farmworkers in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina has one of the largest migrant farmworker populations in the Southeast. Several Community Action Agencies and nonprofits serve farmworkers specifically. Dial 211 and ask about programs for agricultural workers in your county.
Does North Carolina DSS provide hotel vouchers?
Yes. County DSS offices administer Work First Family Assistance (WFFA/TANF) and Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) funds that can cover emergency motel stays for qualifying individuals and families. Contact your county DSS directly to ask about available emergency funds.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in North Carolina?
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 county DSS office about emergency identification assistance.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in North Carolina?
Yes. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7) or your nearest North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or the North Carolina Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-888-232-9124 (24/7) for immediate safe housing assistance.
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 North Carolina — particularly in the mountain counties and eastern coastal plain — local churches are often the most accessible backup resource.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in North Carolina tonight, your first call should be to 211. From there, operators can connect you with the nearest available program — whether that’s your county DSS office, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Urban Ministry Center, Passage Home, or another local organization serving your county.
North Carolina has resources for you — from the mountains to the coast. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: NC DHHS, NC Housing Finance Agency, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army North Carolina
Program availability and funding levels vary by county and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.