If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in Pennsylvania tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in Pennsylvania — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), local County Assistance Offices (CAOs), 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 Pennsylvania?
Several organizations in Pennsylvania can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) — Pennsylvania’s primary social services agency manages emergency assistance programs and distributes funding to County Assistance Offices statewide. Visit dhs.pa.gov.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) — PHFA manages Pennsylvania’s state housing programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local nonprofits providing emergency shelter including hotel and motel placements. Visit phfa.org.
County Assistance Offices (CAOs) — Every Pennsylvania county has a CAO that administers Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Emergency Assistance (EA) programs. CAOs can authorize emergency motel placements for qualifying individuals and families — often same day. This is one of Pennsylvania’s most direct routes to a hotel voucher.
Pennsylvania 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. PA 211 covers all 67 counties.
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania — The Salvation Army operates locations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Scranton, Harrisburg, Erie, and other cities and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities Pennsylvania — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, with diocesan offices across Pennsylvania serving communities statewide.
American Red Cross Pennsylvania — If your housing crisis results from a flood, nor’easter, tornado, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many Pennsylvania churches — from urban Philadelphia and Pittsburgh congregations to rural coal country and Appalachian communities — maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in Pennsylvania?
Eligibility varies by program, but most Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most Pennsylvania programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness — Pennsylvania has large veteran populations in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
- Disaster survivors displaced by floods, nor’easters, or tornadoes
- Residents of rural Pennsylvania — including coal country communities in the northeast and Appalachian communities in the central and western regions — which face persistent poverty and housing challenges
- Individuals in recovery from substance use disorders — Pennsylvania has been severely impacted by the opioid crisis
- Individuals exposed to Pennsylvania’s harsh winters, particularly in the Pocono Mountains, north-central Pennsylvania, and the Lake Erie snowbelt
Pennsylvania is a state of contrasts — two major metropolitan areas bookending a vast rural interior that includes some of the most economically distressed communities in the Northeast. The state has made significant investments in homeless services, particularly in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and has also grappled seriously with the intersection of housing instability and the opioid crisis. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in Pennsylvania, though having one speeds up the process.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Pennsylvania (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 Pennsylvania.” Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with the nearest program that has funding available in your county. PA 211 covers all 67 counties.
Step 2: Contact Your County Assistance Office (CAO)
Every Pennsylvania county has a CAO that administers Emergency Assistance (EA) and TANF programs. EA funds can cover emergency motel stays for qualifying individuals and families. This is one of the most direct routes to a hotel voucher in Pennsylvania.
Find your county CAO at: dhs.pa.gov or dial 211.
Key county CAO contacts:
- Philadelphia County CAO: 215-560-7226
- Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) CAO: 412-565-5505
- Lehigh County (Allentown) CAO: 610-821-6800
- Dauphin County (Harrisburg) CAO: 717-772-7878
- Erie County CAO: 814-871-4551
- Lackawanna County (Scranton) CAO: 570-963-4963
- Luzerne County (Wilkes-Barre) CAO: 570-821-6800
- Chester County CAO: 610-431-3800
Step 3: Contact Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)
PHFA funds emergency shelter and housing programs across Pennsylvania and can direct you to ESG-funded hotel voucher providers in your region.
Contact: phfa.org | 717-780-3800
Step 4: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
Pennsylvania’s Community Action Agencies serve counties across the state and often have emergency motel voucher funds available same-day. Key agencies include:
- Community Action Agency of Delaware County — Delaware County
- Community Action Agency of Lancaster County — Lancaster County
- Berks Community Action Program — Reading / Berks County
- Community Action Partnership of Lehigh Valley — Allentown / Lehigh and Northampton counties
- Community Action Partnership of Mercer County — western Pennsylvania
- Southwestern Pennsylvania Community Action — southwest Pennsylvania
- North Central Community Action Agency — north-central Pennsylvania
Call 211 for the Community Action Agency serving your specific county.
Step 5: Contact the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has locations throughout Pennsylvania and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch:
- Philadelphia: 215-787-2887
- Pittsburgh: 412-441-2900
- Allentown: 610-432-6677
- Harrisburg: 717-233-6755
- Scranton: 570-343-4801
- Erie: 814-452-4511
- Reading: 610-374-4781
- Lancaster: 717-393-3731
- Wilkes-Barre: 570-824-8741
- York: 717-843-2918
Step 6: Contact Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities has diocesan offices throughout Pennsylvania and provides emergency housing assistance to anyone regardless of faith.
- Philadelphia (Catholic Social Services Archdiocese of Philadelphia): 215-854-7050
- Pittsburgh (Catholic Charities Diocese of Pittsburgh): 412-456-6500
- Allentown (Catholic Social Services Diocese of Allentown): 610-435-1541
- Harrisburg (Catholic Charities Diocese of Harrisburg): 717-657-4804
- Scranton (Catholic Social Services Diocese of Scranton): 570-346-8936
- Erie (Catholic Charities Diocese of Erie): 814-824-1261
Pennsylvania Government Programs for Emergency Housing
Pennsylvania Emergency Assistance (EA) Program
Pennsylvania’s Emergency Assistance program provides one-time emergency cash assistance for qualifying low-income individuals and families facing a sudden crisis — including emergency motel stays. EA is administered by County Assistance Offices. Apply at your county CAO — this is often the fastest direct route to an emergency hotel voucher in Pennsylvania.
Contact: Your county CAO | dhs.pa.gov
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) — Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s TANF program provides cash assistance for eligible families with children and can cover emergency housing costs including temporary motel stays. Apply at your county CAO.
Contact: dhs.pa.gov | Your county CAO
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)
PHFA manages Pennsylvania’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: phfa.org | 717-780-3800
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania receives substantial federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through PHFA and directly to some large cities to local homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when traditional shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: PHFA at phfa.org
Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services (OHS)
For Philadelphia residents, the city’s Office of Homeless Services coordinates all homeless services including emergency shelter and hotel voucher programs. Philadelphia has one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive urban homeless service systems.
Contact: 215-686-7150 | phila.gov/ohs
Allegheny County Department of Human Services — Pittsburgh
For Pittsburgh-area residents, Allegheny County DHS coordinates homeless services including emergency housing and hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 412-350-5701 | alleghenycounty.us/dhs
HUD Continuum of Care — Pennsylvania CoC Programs
Pennsylvania has numerous HUD-funded CoC programs managing regional homeless services. Key CoCs include:
- Philadelphia CoC
- Pittsburgh/Allegheny County CoC
- Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton/Lehigh Valley CoC
- Harrisburg/Dauphin County CoC
- Scranton/Lackawanna County CoC
- Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton/Luzerne County CoC
- Erie City and County CoC
- Lancaster City and County CoC
- Balance of State Pennsylvania CoC
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info | pahomeless.com (PA Coalition to End Homelessness)
Pennsylvania Coalition to End Homelessness (PCEH)
PCEH coordinates statewide homeless policy and connects individuals and providers with emergency housing resources across Pennsylvania.
Contact: 717-236-9494 | pahomeless.com
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
If you’ve been displaced by a presidentially declared disaster in Pennsylvania — 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) — Pennsylvania
Homeless Pennsylvania veterans have dedicated resources through the VA. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
Pennsylvania VA Locations:
- Philadelphia VA Medical Center: 215-823-5800
- Pittsburgh VA Medical Center (University Drive): 412-688-6000
- Coatesville VA Medical Center: 610-384-7711
- Lebanon VA Medical Center: 717-272-6621
- Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center: 570-824-3521
- Erie VA Medical Center: 814-860-2576
- Altoona VA Medical Center: 814-943-8164
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in Pennsylvania
Project HOME — Philadelphia
Project HOME is one of Philadelphia’s most respected homeless service organizations, providing emergency outreach, housing, and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals and families in Philadelphia. Project HOME’s approach integrates housing with healthcare and workforce development.
Contact: 215-232-7272 | projecthome.org
Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission — Philadelphia
The Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission provides emergency shelter and connections to hotel voucher programs for homeless men in Philadelphia.
Contact: 215-922-6400 | sundaybreakfast.org
Bethesda Project — Philadelphia
Bethesda Project provides emergency shelter and supportive housing for homeless adults in Philadelphia, including connections to hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 215-922-6927 | bethesdaproject.org
Light of Life Rescue Mission — Pittsburgh
Light of Life is one of Pittsburgh’s primary emergency shelter providers, offering shelter, meals, and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals and families in the Pittsburgh area.
Contact: 412-762-0991 | lightoflife.org
Operation Safety Net — Pittsburgh
Operation Safety Net provides street outreach and emergency housing assistance for chronically homeless individuals in Pittsburgh, including connections to hotel voucher programs.
Contact: 412-687-7270 | operationsafetynet.org
Salvation Army Pennsylvania
With locations in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Harrisburg, Scranton, Erie, Reading, Lancaster, Wilkes-Barre, and York, the Salvation Army is one of Pennsylvania’s most consistent statewide providers of emergency motel vouchers.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Catholic Charities Pennsylvania
Multiple dioceses across Pennsylvania provide emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher referrals regardless of faith background.
Community Action Agency of Lancaster County
Provides emergency housing assistance including hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in Lancaster County and surrounding communities.
Contact: 717-299-7388 | caplanc.org
Berks Community Action Program — Reading
Serves Berks County and provides emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in the Reading area.
Contact: 610-376-6400 | bcap.org
Christian Street YMCA / YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh
YMCA branches across Pennsylvania often maintain emergency assistance funds including hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in crisis. Dial 211 for the YMCA nearest you.
American Red Cross — Pennsylvania
The Red Cross assists people displaced by Pennsylvania’s floods, nor’easters, 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 Pennsylvania
Philadelphia / Philadelphia County
Philadelphia has Pennsylvania’s largest concentration of homeless services. Key resources include:
- Philadelphia 211: Dial 211
- Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services: 215-686-7150
- Project HOME: 215-232-7272
- Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission: 215-922-6400
- Bethesda Project: 215-922-6927
- Salvation Army Philadelphia: 215-787-2887
- Catholic Social Services Philadelphia: 215-854-7050
- Philadelphia CAO: 215-560-7226
Pittsburgh / Allegheny County
- Pittsburgh 211: Dial 211
- Allegheny County DHS: 412-350-5701
- Light of Life Rescue Mission: 412-762-0991
- Operation Safety Net: 412-687-7270
- Salvation Army Pittsburgh: 412-441-2900
- Catholic Charities Pittsburgh: 412-456-6500
- Allegheny County CAO: 412-565-5505
Allentown / Lehigh Valley
- Allentown 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Allentown: 610-432-6677
- Catholic Social Services Allentown: 610-435-1541
- Community Action Partnership Lehigh Valley: 610-691-5620
- Turning Point (DV/emergency): 610-437-3369
- Lehigh County CAO: 610-821-6800
Harrisburg / Dauphin County
- Harrisburg 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Harrisburg: 717-233-6755
- Catholic Charities Harrisburg: 717-657-4804
- Christian Churches United (CCU): 717-236-7387
- Dauphin County CAO: 717-772-7878
Scranton / Lackawanna County
- Scranton 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Scranton: 570-343-4801
- Catholic Social Services Scranton: 570-346-8936
- Volunteers of America NEPA: 570-207-2042
- Lackawanna County CAO: 570-963-4963
Erie / Erie County
- Erie 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Erie: 814-452-4511
- Catholic Charities Erie: 814-824-1261
- Community Shelter Services Erie: 814-452-2211
- Erie County CAO: 814-871-4551
Lancaster / Lancaster County
- Lancaster 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Lancaster: 717-393-3731
- Community Action Agency Lancaster: 717-299-7388
- Water Street Mission: 717-393-7709
- Lancaster County CAO: 717-299-7800
Reading / Berks County
- Reading 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Reading: 610-374-4781
- Berks Community Action Program: 610-376-6400
- Opportunity House: 610-374-4696
- Berks County CAO: 610-378-4100
Wilkes-Barre / Luzerne County (Coal Region)
- Wilkes-Barre 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Wilkes-Barre: 570-824-8741
- Catholic Social Services Wilkes-Barre: 570-822-7118
- Volunteers of America NEPA: 570-207-2042
- Luzerne County CAO: 570-821-6800
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 Pennsylvania can help you navigate housing programs, recovery resources, and benefits specific to your county.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania county.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact PHFA at phfa.org or your local housing authority to apply. Waitlists in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh can be extremely long — apply as early as possible and to multiple housing authorities.
Apply for Pennsylvania Emergency Rental Assistance. Contact PHFA at phfa.org or dial 211 to ask about current rental assistance programs available in your county.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like Project HOME, Light of Life, Water Street Mission, Bethesda Project, and the Salvation Army offer transitional housing programs across Pennsylvania 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, Pennsylvania Medicaid (Medical Assistance/MA), and TANF at your county CAO or at compass.state.pa.us or benefits.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in Pennsylvania tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your Pennsylvania county. You should also contact your county’s County Assistance Office (CAO) directly — CAOs administer Emergency Assistance funds that can authorize emergency motel stays. Find your CAO at dhs.pa.gov.
What is Pennsylvania’s Emergency Assistance (EA) program?
Pennsylvania’s EA program provides one-time emergency cash assistance for qualifying low-income individuals and families facing a sudden housing crisis — including payments for emergency motel stays. EA is administered by County Assistance Offices (CAOs). Contact your county CAO directly to apply. This is often the fastest direct route to a hotel voucher in Pennsylvania.
Does Pennsylvania DHS provide hotel vouchers?
Yes. Pennsylvania DHS manages EA and TANF programs through county CAOs, both of which can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying individuals and families. Contact your local county CAO directly to ask about available emergency funds.
Are hotel vouchers available in Philadelphia?
Yes. Philadelphia has one of the nation’s most comprehensive urban homeless service systems. The Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services (215-686-7150) coordinates all homeless services in the city. Project HOME (215-232-7272), Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission (215-922-6400), and the Salvation Army are among the key providers. Dial 211 for current hotel voucher availability.
Are hotel vouchers available in rural Pennsylvania — including coal country?
Yes. Community Action Agencies and county CAOs serve all 67 Pennsylvania counties, including rural north-central Pennsylvania and the coal country communities of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Schuylkill counties. Dial 211 for resources in your specific county. Local churches are also critical resources in smaller communities.
Are there hotel vouchers for people in recovery from addiction in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Pennsylvania has been severely impacted by the opioid crisis, and many homeless service providers integrate recovery support with housing assistance. Dial 211 or contact the Pennsylvania Drug and Alcohol Crisis Line at 1-800-662-4357 (24/7) for combined housing and recovery resources.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in Pennsylvania?
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 CAO about Pennsylvania’s emergency identification assistance programs.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7) or your nearest Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or the Pennsylvania Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-932-4632 (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. Your county CAO is also a resource — they are required to help connect you with available emergency assistance.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in Pennsylvania tonight, your first call should be to 211 — and your second should be to your county’s County Assistance Office. Pennsylvania’s EA program means your county CAO has emergency funds available, and you have a right to apply.
Pennsylvania has resources for you — from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, from the Lehigh Valley to the coal country, from Erie to Lancaster. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Pennsylvania DHS, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army Pennsylvania
Program availability and funding levels vary by county and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.