If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in South Carolina tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. South 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 South Carolina-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in South Carolina — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in South Carolina through the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS), the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing), 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 South Carolina?
Several organizations in South Carolina can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) — South Carolina’s primary social services agency manages emergency assistance programs that can cover short-term motel stays for eligible individuals and families. Contact your local SCDSS county office or visit dss.sc.gov.
South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing) — SC Housing manages South Carolina’s state housing programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local nonprofits providing emergency shelter including hotel and motel placements. Visit schousing.com.
South 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. SC 211 covers all 46 counties.
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — South 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 South Carolina — The Salvation Army operates locations in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach, Florence, and other cities and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities South Carolina — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, with offices in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, and other communities statewide.
American Red Cross South Carolina — If your housing crisis results from a hurricane, flood, or tornado, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost. South Carolina’s coast is highly vulnerable to Atlantic hurricanes.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many South Carolina churches — from Columbia and Charleston congregations to rural Lowcountry and Pee Dee communities — maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in South Carolina?
Eligibility varies by program, but most South 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 South Carolina programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most South Carolina programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness — South Carolina has a significant veteran population, particularly around military installations including Fort Jackson, Shaw Air Force Base, and Parris Island
- Disaster survivors displaced by hurricanes, floods, or tornadoes — South Carolina’s coast is among the most hurricane-vulnerable in the Southeast
- Residents of the Pee Dee region and rural Lowcountry, which face some of the highest poverty rates in the state
- Migrant and seasonal agricultural workers — South Carolina has a significant farmworker population in the Lowcountry and Pee Dee
- Individuals exposed to South Carolina’s extreme summer heat and humidity, particularly in the Midlands and Lowcountry
South Carolina’s geography creates diverse emergency housing needs — from hurricane-prone coastal communities in the Lowcountry and Grand Strand to deeply impoverished rural communities in the Pee Dee and Corridor of Shame, to the growing Upstate metro areas of Greenville and Spartanburg. The state is heavily military, with several major installations whose veteran communities have dedicated housing resources. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in South Carolina, though having one speeds up the process.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in South 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 South Carolina.” Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with the nearest program that has funding available in your county. SC 211 covers all 46 counties.
Step 2: Contact Your Local SCDSS County Office
The South Carolina Department of Social Services has offices in every county. SCDSS administers emergency assistance programs including Family Independence (FI — South Carolina’s TANF program) and can connect you with temporary housing funds including motel vouchers for qualifying individuals and families.
Contact: dss.sc.gov | 803-898-7601
Step 3: Contact SC Housing
SC Housing funds emergency shelter and housing programs across South Carolina and can direct you to ESG-funded hotel voucher providers in your region.
Contact: schousing.com | 803-896-9001
Step 4: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
South Carolina’s Community Action Agencies serve counties across the state and often have emergency motel voucher funds available same-day. Key agencies include:
- Eau Claire Cooperative Health Center — Columbia / Richland County area
- Lowcountry Community Action Agency — Walterboro / Colleton County and surrounding Lowcountry
- Pee Dee Community Action Partnership — Florence / Pee Dee region
- Catawba Community Action Agency — Rock Hill / York County
- Piedmont Community Action — Greenwood area
- Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council — Conway / Horry County / Grand Strand
- Appalachian Council of Governments Community Action — Greenville / Upstate
Call 211 for the Community Action Agency serving your specific county.
Step 5: Contact the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has locations throughout South Carolina and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch:
- Columbia: 803-765-0260
- Charleston: 843-747-4377
- Greenville: 864-235-4803
- Spartanburg: 864-583-2024
- Myrtle Beach: 843-448-5521
- Florence: 843-662-4124
- Anderson: 864-226-6844
- Sumter: 803-773-5658
- Beaufort: 843-524-5040
Step 6: Contact Catholic Charities South Carolina
Catholic Charities provides emergency housing assistance to anyone in need regardless of faith.
- Columbia (Catholic Charities Diocese of Charleston — Columbia office): 803-256-5551
- Charleston (Catholic Charities Diocese of Charleston): 843-402-9115
- Greenville: 864-271-7300
South Carolina Government Programs for Emergency Housing
South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) — Family Independence (FI)
SCDSS administers Family Independence (FI), South Carolina’s TANF program, which provides emergency assistance for eligible families with children. FI emergency funds can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying families in crisis. Apply at your county SCDSS office.
Contact: dss.sc.gov | 803-898-7601
SC Housing — Emergency Solutions Grant and State Housing Programs
SC Housing manages South 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: schousing.com | 803-896-9001
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — South Carolina
South Carolina receives federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through SC Housing to local homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when traditional shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: SC Housing at schousing.com
HUD Continuum of Care — South Carolina CoC Programs
South Carolina has several HUD-funded CoC programs managing regional homeless services. Key CoCs include:
- Columbia/Midlands South Carolina CoC
- Charleston/Lowcountry CoC
- Greenville/Upstate South Carolina CoC
- Myrtle Beach/Grand Strand/Horry County CoC
- Balance of State South Carolina CoC — all remaining South Carolina counties
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info | schomeless.org (SC Homeless Coalition)
South Carolina Homeless Coalition (SCHC)
The SC Homeless Coalition coordinates statewide homeless policy and connects individuals with emergency housing resources across South Carolina.
Contact: 803-779-4706 | schomeless.org
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
South Carolina is one of the most hurricane-vulnerable states on the East Coast. If you’ve been displaced by a presidentially declared disaster — such as a hurricane or major 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) — South Carolina
Homeless South Carolina veterans have dedicated resources through the VA. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged. South Carolina has a large military presence and correspondingly robust veteran services.
South Carolina VA Locations:
- Columbia VA Health Care System (Dorn): 803-776-4000
- Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (Charleston): 843-577-5011
- Greenville VA Clinic: 864-299-1600
- Spartanburg VA Clinic: 864-582-4895
- Florence VA Clinic: 843-292-8383
- Myrtle Beach VA Clinic: 843-477-0177
- Beaufort VA Clinic: 843-770-0444
- Orangeburg VA Clinic: 803-533-3500
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in South Carolina
Salvation Army South Carolina
With locations in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach, Florence, Anderson, Sumter, and Beaufort, the Salvation Army is one of South Carolina’s most consistent statewide providers of emergency motel vouchers.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Catholic Charities South Carolina
Diocesan offices in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville provide emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher referrals regardless of faith background.
Oliver Gospel Mission — Columbia
Oliver Gospel Mission is one of Columbia’s primary emergency shelter providers for homeless men, offering shelter, meals, and connections to hotel voucher programs in the Midlands region.
Contact: 803-779-4590 | olivergospel.org
Columbia Housing Authority / Transitions
Provides emergency housing assistance and connections to hotel voucher programs for homeless individuals and families in the Columbia metro area.
Contact: 803-254-3886 | transitionsinc.org
One80 Place — Charleston
One80 Place is one of Charleston’s largest homeless service organizations, providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals and families in the Charleston area.
Contact: 843-723-9477 | one80place.org
Lowcountry Orphan Relief — Charleston
Provides emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for homeless families and children in the Charleston and Lowcountry area.
Contact: 843-225-5678 | lowcountryorphanrelief.org
United Ministries — Greenville
United Ministries provides emergency assistance, meals, and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals and families in Greenville and the Upstate region.
Contact: 864-232-6463 | unitedministries.org
Room at the Inn — Greenville
Room at the Inn provides emergency shelter and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals in Greenville County, operating through a network of faith communities during winter months.
Contact: 864-467-3430 | roominnsc.org
Miracle Hill Ministries — Greenville
Miracle Hill Ministries operates shelters and transitional housing programs across the Upstate region of South Carolina, including connections to hotel voucher programs for homeless individuals and families.
Contact: 864-268-9400 | miraclehill.org
Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council — Conway / Grand Strand
Waccamaw EOC serves Horry and Georgetown counties on the Grand Strand and provides emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in the Myrtle Beach area.
Contact: 843-365-2300 | waccamawcap.com
Florence Area Habitat for Humanity / Pee Dee Coalition
Provides emergency housing assistance and connections to hotel voucher programs for individuals and families in the Florence and Pee Dee region.
Contact: Dial 211 for current contacts in the Pee Dee
American Red Cross — South Carolina
The Red Cross is one of South Carolina’s most active disaster response organizations, regularly assisting people displaced by 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 South Carolina
Columbia / Richland County
Columbia has South Carolina’s largest concentration of homeless services. Key resources include:
- Columbia 211: Dial 211
- Oliver Gospel Mission: 803-779-4590
- Transitions: 803-254-3886
- Salvation Army Columbia: 803-765-0260
- Catholic Charities Columbia: 803-256-5551
- SCDSS Columbia: 803-898-7601
Charleston / Lowcountry
Charleston has South Carolina’s second-largest concentration of homeless services and significant hurricane vulnerability:
- Charleston 211: Dial 211
- One80 Place: 843-723-9477
- Lowcountry Orphan Relief: 843-225-5678
- Salvation Army Charleston: 843-747-4377
- Catholic Charities Charleston: 843-402-9115
- FEMA Disaster Assistance: 1-800-621-3362
- SCDSS Charleston: 843-953-6700
Greenville / Upstate South Carolina
- Greenville 211: Dial 211
- United Ministries: 864-232-6463
- Miracle Hill Ministries: 864-268-9400
- Room at the Inn: 864-467-3430
- Salvation Army Greenville: 864-235-4803
- Catholic Charities Greenville: 864-271-7300
- SCDSS Greenville: 864-241-1000
Spartanburg / Upstate
- Spartanburg 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Spartanburg: 864-583-2024
- Spartanburg County DSS: 864-596-3300
- Upstate Homeless Coalition: 864-583-4300
- Miracle Hill Spartanburg: 864-342-6910
Myrtle Beach / Grand Strand / Horry County
- Myrtle Beach 211: Dial 211
- Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council: 843-365-2300
- Salvation Army Myrtle Beach: 843-448-5521
- Helping Hands of Myrtle Beach: 843-448-4433
- SCDSS Myrtle Beach: 843-238-5100
Florence / Pee Dee Region
The Pee Dee is one of South Carolina’s most economically distressed regions:
- Florence 211: Dial 211
- Pee Dee Community Action Partnership: 843-665-1226
- Salvation Army Florence: 843-662-4124
- SCDSS Florence: 843-661-4800
- Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault: 843-669-4694
Beaufort / Hilton Head / Southern Lowcountry
- Beaufort 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Beaufort: 843-524-5040
- Beaufort County Open Land Trust (housing referrals): 843-521-2175
- SCDSS Beaufort: 843-470-5500
- Lowcountry Community Action Agency: 843-549-2001
Rock Hill / York County / Piedmont
- Rock Hill 211: Dial 211
- Catawba Community Action Agency: 803-329-4061
- Salvation Army Rock Hill: 803-324-4706
- SCDSS Rock Hill: 803-327-7100
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 South Carolina can help you navigate housing programs, disaster recovery benefits, and resources specific to your county.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in South 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 South Carolina county.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact SC Housing at schousing.com or your local housing authority to apply. Waitlists in Columbia and Charleston can be long — apply as early as possible.
Apply for South Carolina Emergency Rental Assistance. Contact SC Housing at schousing.com or dial 211 to ask about current rental assistance programs available in your county.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like Oliver Gospel Mission, One80 Place, Miracle Hill Ministries, United Ministries, and the Salvation Army offer transitional housing programs across South 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, South Carolina Medicaid, and Family Independence (TANF) at your local SCDSS county office or at scdhhs.gov or benefits.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in South Carolina tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your South Carolina county. In Columbia, you can also contact Oliver Gospel Mission at 803-779-4590 or the Salvation Army at 803-765-0260. In Charleston, contact One80 Place at 843-723-9477. In Greenville, contact United Ministries at 864-232-6463.
Does SCDSS provide hotel vouchers?
Yes. South Carolina SCDSS manages Family Independence (FI/TANF) emergency assistance that can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying families with children. Contact your local county SCDSS office directly to ask about available emergency funds.
Are hotel vouchers available after a hurricane in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina’s coast is among the most hurricane-vulnerable in the Southeast. If a hurricane 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 hurricane-related housing needs. Don’t wait — apply as soon as a disaster declaration is made.
Are hotel vouchers available in the Pee Dee region?
Yes. Pee Dee Community Action Partnership (843-665-1226) serves Florence and surrounding counties in one of South Carolina’s most economically distressed regions. The Salvation Army also serves Florence and several other Pee Dee communities. Dial 211 for resources in your specific Pee Dee county.
Are there hotel vouchers for military families and veterans in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina has one of the largest military presences of any state, with Fort Jackson, Shaw Air Force Base, Parris Island, and other installations. VA social workers at any South Carolina VA facility can arrange emergency housing for homeless veterans. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7). Military families facing housing crises can also contact their installation’s Family Support Center.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in South 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 hurricane — ask your caseworker or local SCDSS office about emergency identification assistance.
Are there hotel vouchers for domestic violence survivors in South Carolina?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or the South Carolina Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-260-9293 (24/7) for immediate safe housing assistance.
Does South Carolina have emergency housing during extreme heat?
Yes. South Carolina’s summers are brutally hot and humid — heat index values regularly exceed 110°F across the Midlands and Lowcountry. Cooling centers are activated during extreme heat events. Dial 211 for current cooling center and emergency shelter information in your area. Elderly individuals and those without shelter 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 South Carolina — particularly in the Pee Dee and rural Lowcountry — local churches are often the most accessible backup resource.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in South Carolina tonight, your first call should be to 211. From there, operators can connect you with the nearest available program — whether that’s Oliver Gospel Mission, One80 Place, United Ministries, Miracle Hill Ministries, the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, or another local organization serving your county.
South Carolina has resources for you — from the Upstate to the Midlands, from the Grand Strand to the Lowcountry. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: SC DSS, SC Housing, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army South Carolina
Program availability and funding levels vary by county and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.