If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in Virginia tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. Virginia has a comprehensive 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 Virginia-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in Virginia — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in Virginia through the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), local Department of Social Services offices, 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 Virginia?
Several organizations in Virginia can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) — Virginia’s primary social services agency manages emergency assistance programs and distributes funding to local Department of Social Services (DSS) offices statewide. Visit dss.virginia.gov.
Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) — VHDA manages Virginia’s state housing programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local nonprofits providing emergency shelter including hotel and motel placements. Visit vhda.com.
Local Department of Social Services (DSS) Offices — Every Virginia city and county has a DSS office that administers Virginia’s TANF program (Virginia Initiative for Education and Work — VIEW) and Emergency Assistance programs. Local DSS offices can authorize emergency motel placements for qualifying individuals and families — often same day.
Virginia 211 — Dialing 211 connects you with a trained operator who can identify the nearest hotel voucher program with available funds in your specific locality. Virginia’s 211 covers all cities and counties statewide.
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — Virginia has Community Action Agencies serving localities across the state. These federally funded organizations are among the most reliable providers of emergency hotel and motel vouchers.
Salvation Army Virginia — The Salvation Army operates locations in Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, and other cities and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities Virginia — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, with diocesan offices across Virginia serving communities statewide.
American Red Cross Virginia — If your housing crisis results from a hurricane, flood, tornado, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many Virginia churches — from Northern Virginia mega-congregations to rural Appalachian and Southside Virginia churches — maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in Virginia?
Eligibility varies by program, but most Virginia 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 Virginia programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most Virginia programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness — Virginia has the third-largest veteran population of any U.S. state and has made ending veteran homelessness a state priority
- Disaster survivors displaced by hurricanes, flooding, or tornadoes — Virginia’s coast is vulnerable to Atlantic hurricanes and the state regularly experiences flooding and severe storms
- Residents of rural Southside Virginia and Southwest Virginia, which face some of the highest poverty rates in the state and persistent housing challenges rooted in the decline of tobacco and coal industries
- Individuals in recovery from substance use disorders — Virginia has been significantly impacted by the opioid crisis, particularly in Southwest Virginia
- Military families and transitioning service members — Virginia has the largest concentration of military and defense employment of any state
Virginia is a state of enormous contrasts — from the densely populated Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., to the rural coal country of Southwest Virginia; from the Hampton Roads military mega-region to the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Virginia also has one of the nation’s largest and most complex military communities, with major installations including Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Naval Station Norfolk, Fort Gregg-Adams, Quantico, and many others. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in Virginia, though having one speeds up the process.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Virginia (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 Virginia.” Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with the nearest program that has funding available in your locality. Virginia’s 211 covers all cities and counties statewide.
Step 2: Contact Your Local Virginia DSS Office
Every Virginia city and county has a DSS office that administers VIEW (Virginia’s TANF), Emergency Assistance, and other programs that can authorize emergency motel stays. This is one of Virginia’s most direct routes to a hotel voucher.
Find your local DSS office at: dss.virginia.gov or dial 211.
Key local DSS contacts:
- Richmond City DSS: 804-646-7444
- Virginia Beach DSS: 757-385-3700
- Norfolk DSS: 757-823-1550
- Roanoke City DSS: 540-853-2591
- Chesapeake DSS: 757-382-2000
- Arlington County DSS: 703-228-1350
- Fairfax County DSS: 703-324-7500
- Newport News DSS: 757-926-6000
- Hampton DSS: 757-727-1800
- Lynchburg DSS: 434-455-5900
- Charlottesville DSS: 434-970-3400
Step 3: Contact Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA)
VHDA funds emergency shelter and housing programs across Virginia and can direct you to ESG-funded hotel voucher providers in your region.
Contact: vhda.com | 804-782-1986
Step 4: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
Virginia’s Community Action Agencies serve localities across the state and often have emergency motel voucher funds available same-day. Key agencies include:
- Greater Richmond Community Foundation / Caritas — Richmond / Central Virginia
- Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) — Northern Virginia
- Virginia Supportive Housing — statewide
- Community Action of Appalachia — Southwest Virginia
- People Incorporated — Bristol / Washington County / Southwest Virginia
- New River Community Action — Radford / New River Valley
- Total Action for Progress (TAP) — Roanoke / Western Virginia
- Community Housing Partners — Roanoke / statewide
Call 211 for the Community Action Agency serving your specific locality.
Step 5: Contact the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has locations throughout Virginia and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch:
- Richmond: 804-521-9070
- Virginia Beach: 757-497-6830
- Norfolk: 757-543-8373
- Roanoke: 540-343-7241
- Lynchburg: 434-845-2638
- Charlottesville: 434-295-4058
- Hampton: 757-723-4471
- Newport News: 757-596-3443
- Chesapeake: 757-547-1776
- Alexandria: 703-837-9262
- Fredericksburg: 540-371-1234
- Harrisonburg: 540-434-8869
- Bristol: 276-466-2441
Step 6: Contact Catholic Charities Virginia
Catholic Charities has diocesan offices throughout Virginia and provides emergency housing assistance to anyone regardless of faith.
- Richmond (Catholic Charities Diocese of Richmond): 804-285-5900
- Arlington (Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington): 703-841-3830
- Norfolk (Catholic Charities Diocese of Richmond — Hampton Roads): 757-456-2366
Virginia Government Programs for Emergency Housing
Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) — Virginia’s TANF
VIEW is Virginia’s TANF program and provides cash assistance and employment support for eligible families with children. VIEW emergency funds can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying families in crisis. Apply at your local DSS office.
Contact: dss.virginia.gov | Your local DSS office
Virginia Emergency Assistance Program
Virginia’s Emergency Assistance program provides one-time emergency cash assistance for qualifying low-income individuals and families facing a sudden housing crisis — including emergency motel stays. Emergency Assistance is administered by local DSS offices and is one of Virginia’s most direct routes to a hotel voucher.
Contact: Your local DSS office | dss.virginia.gov
Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA)
VHDA manages Virginia’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: vhda.com | 804-782-1986
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — Virginia
Virginia receives substantial federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through VHDA and directly to some large localities to local homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when traditional shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: VHDA at vhda.com
HUD Continuum of Care — Virginia CoC Programs
Virginia has numerous HUD-funded CoC programs managing regional homeless services. Key CoCs include:
- Richmond/Henrico/Chesterfield/Hanover CoC
- Virginia Beach CoC
- Norfolk/Chesapeake/Suffolk/Isle of Wight CoC
- Arlington/Alexandria CoC
- Fairfax/Falls Church CoC
- Roanoke City and County CoC
- Charlottesville/Albemarle County CoC
- Lynchburg CoC
- Hampton/Newport News CoC
- Balance of State Virginia CoC — all remaining Virginia localities
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info | vhda.com
Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness (VCEH)
VCEH coordinates statewide homeless policy and connects individuals with emergency housing resources across Virginia.
Contact: 804-819-4360 | vaeh.org
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
Virginia’s coast is regularly threatened by Atlantic hurricanes, and flooding affects communities across the state. If you’ve been displaced by a presidentially declared disaster, 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) — Virginia
Homeless Virginia veterans have dedicated resources through the VA. Virginia has the third-largest veteran population in the nation — particularly concentrated in Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and the Richmond area. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
Virginia VA Locations:
- Hampton VA Medical Center: 757-722-9961
- Richmond VA Medical Center: 804-675-5000
- Salem VA Medical Center: 540-982-2463
- Washington DC VA Medical Center (serves Northern Virginia): 202-745-8000
- Roanoke VA Clinic: 540-323-5000
- Charlottesville VA Clinic: 434-293-3890
- Lynchburg VA Clinic: 434-316-5000
- Fredericksburg VA Clinic: 540-370-4600
- Virginia Beach VA Clinic: 757-722-9961
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in Virginia
Salvation Army Virginia
With locations across Virginia including Richmond, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Hampton, Newport News, Chesapeake, Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, and Bristol, the Salvation Army is one of Virginia’s most consistent statewide providers of emergency motel vouchers.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Catholic Charities Virginia
Diocesan offices in Richmond and Arlington provide emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher referrals regardless of faith background, serving communities across Virginia.
Caritas — Richmond
Caritas is one of Richmond’s most respected homeless service organizations, providing emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals and families in the greater Richmond area.
Contact: 804-358-3719 | caritasva.org
Virginia Supportive Housing — Statewide
Virginia Supportive Housing provides permanent supportive housing and emergency housing connections for chronically homeless individuals across Virginia, with offices in Richmond, Hampton Roads, and Northern Virginia.
Contact: 804-836-1330 | vasupportivehousing.org
Northern Virginia Family Service (NVFS) — Northern Virginia
NVFS provides emergency assistance, housing navigation, and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals and families in Northern Virginia — one of the most expensive housing markets on the East Coast.
Contact: 703-533-9727 | nvfs.org
Doorways for Women and Families — Arlington
Doorways provides emergency shelter and hotel voucher assistance specifically for domestic violence survivors and their families in Northern Virginia.
Contact: 703-237-0881 | doorwaysva.org
Total Action for Progress (TAP) — Roanoke
TAP is the Community Action Agency for the Roanoke Valley and provides emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in western Virginia.
Contact: 540-765-5215 | tapintohope.org
People Incorporated — Abingdon / Southwest Virginia
People Incorporated serves Washington County and surrounding communities in Southwest Virginia — one of the state’s most economically distressed regions — and provides emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections.
Contact: 276-623-9000 | peopleinc.net
New River Community Action — Radford
New River Community Action serves the New River Valley and provides emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in the Radford, Christiansburg, and Blacksburg areas.
Contact: 540-639-1524 | nrca.net
ForKids — Norfolk / Hampton Roads
ForKids provides emergency shelter and hotel voucher connections specifically for homeless families with children in Hampton Roads, including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and surrounding communities.
Contact: 757-625-4389 | forkidsinc.org
Judeo-Christian Outreach Center — Virginia Beach
Judeo-Christian Outreach Center provides emergency shelter, meals, and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals in Virginia Beach and the surrounding area.
Contact: 757-422-5630 | jcoc.net
Miriam’s House — Washington, D.C. metro / Northern Virginia
Miriam’s House provides emergency housing and hotel voucher connections for homeless women — including those living with HIV — in the Northern Virginia and D.C. metro area.
Contact: 202-882-5600 | miriamshouse.org
American Red Cross — Virginia
The Red Cross assists people displaced by Virginia’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 Virginia
Richmond / Central Virginia
Richmond has Virginia’s largest concentration of homeless services outside of Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. Key resources include:
- Richmond 211: Dial 211
- Caritas: 804-358-3719
- Virginia Supportive Housing: 804-836-1330
- Salvation Army Richmond: 804-521-9070
- Catholic Charities Richmond: 804-285-5900
- Richmond City DSS: 804-646-7444
- HomeAgain Richmond: 804-343-1500
Hampton Roads (Virginia Beach / Norfolk / Chesapeake / Newport News / Hampton)
Hampton Roads has Virginia’s largest overall homeless population and is heavily impacted by hurricane and flooding risk:
- Hampton Roads 211: Dial 211
- ForKids (families): 757-625-4389
- Judeo-Christian Outreach Center: 757-422-5630
- Salvation Army Virginia Beach: 757-497-6830
- Salvation Army Norfolk: 757-543-8373
- Catholic Charities Hampton Roads: 757-456-2366
- Virginia Beach DSS: 757-385-3700
- Norfolk DSS: 757-823-1550
Northern Virginia (Arlington / Fairfax / Alexandria)
Northern Virginia has some of the highest housing costs on the East Coast and a large immigrant population:
- Northern Virginia 211: Dial 211
- NVFS: 703-533-9727
- Doorways for Women and Families: 703-237-0881
- Salvation Army Alexandria: 703-837-9262
- Catholic Charities Arlington: 703-841-3830
- Fairfax County DSS: 703-324-7500
- Arlington County DSS: 703-228-1350
- Facets (Fairfax area): 703-273-7786
Roanoke / Western Virginia
- Roanoke 211: Dial 211
- TAP (Total Action for Progress): 540-765-5215
- Salvation Army Roanoke: 540-343-7241
- Commonwealth Catholic Charities Roanoke: 540-342-7561
- Roanoke City DSS: 540-853-2591
Charlottesville / Central Virginia
- Charlottesville 211: Dial 211
- IMPACT Charlottesville (CoC coordinator): 434-973-7750
- Salvation Army Charlottesville: 434-295-4058
- Interfaith Movement Promoting Action by Congregations Together: 434-973-7750
- Charlottesville DSS: 434-970-3400
Lynchburg / Central Virginia
- Lynchburg 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Lynchburg: 434-845-2638
- Miriam’s House Lynchburg (women): 434-845-5600
- Volunteers of America Lynchburg: 434-386-0045
- Lynchburg DSS: 434-455-5900
Fredericksburg / Rappahannock Region
- Fredericksburg 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Fredericksburg: 540-371-1234
- Empowerhouse (DV/emergency): 540-373-9373
- Rappahannock Area Agency on Aging (elderly): 540-373-3949
- Fredericksburg DSS: 540-372-1032
Southwest Virginia (Bristol / Abingdon / Wise County)
Southwest Virginia faces persistent poverty rooted in the decline of coal and tobacco:
- Southwest Virginia 211: Dial 211
- People Incorporated: 276-623-9000
- Salvation Army Bristol: 276-466-2441
- Mount Rogers Community Services: 276-783-8157
- Washington County DSS: 276-525-1400
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 Virginia can help you navigate housing programs, military/veteran resources, and benefits specific to your locality.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in Virginia. 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 Virginia locality.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact VHDA at vhda.com or your local housing authority to apply. Waitlists in Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads can be extremely long — apply as early as possible and to multiple housing authorities.
Apply for Virginia Emergency Rental Assistance. Contact VHDA at vhda.com or dial 211 to ask about current rental assistance programs available in your locality.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like Caritas, Virginia Supportive Housing, ForKids, TAP, People Incorporated, and the Salvation Army offer transitional housing programs across Virginia 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, Virginia Medicaid, and VIEW (TANF) at your local DSS office or at commonhelp.virginia.gov or benefits.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in Virginia tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your Virginia locality. You should also contact your local DSS office directly — Virginia’s Emergency Assistance program can authorize emergency motel stays for qualifying individuals and families. Find your local DSS at dss.virginia.gov.
What is VIEW — Virginia’s TANF program?
VIEW (Virginia Initiative for Education and Work) is Virginia’s TANF program, which provides cash assistance and employment support for eligible families with children. VIEW emergency funds can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying families in crisis. Apply at your local DSS office.
Does Virginia DSS provide hotel vouchers?
Yes. Local Virginia DSS offices administer Emergency Assistance and VIEW (TANF) programs that can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying individuals and families. Contact your local DSS office directly to ask about available emergency funds.
Are hotel vouchers available in Northern Virginia?
Yes. Northern Virginia has some of the highest housing costs in the nation, and resources are available — though demand is intense. NVFS (703-533-9727), Doorways for Women and Families (703-237-0881), the Salvation Army (703-837-9262 in Alexandria), and local DSS offices in Fairfax and Arlington all provide emergency housing assistance. Dial 211 for current availability.
Are there hotel vouchers for military families and veterans in Virginia?
Yes. Virginia has the third-largest veteran population in the nation. The VA’s HUD-VASH program connects homeless veterans with housing vouchers. 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. Major installations with family support resources include Joint Base Langley-Eustis (757-764-2292), Naval Station Norfolk (757-444-2102), Fort Gregg-Adams (804-734-1234), and Quantico (703-784-2602).
Are hotel vouchers available in Southwest Virginia?
Yes. People Incorporated (276-623-9000) and Mount Rogers Community Services serve Southwest Virginia’s coal country communities. Dial 211 for resources in your specific Southwest Virginia county. Local churches are critical backup resources in the most remote communities.
Are there hotel vouchers for domestic violence survivors in Virginia?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or the Virginia Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-838-8238 (24/7) for immediate safe housing assistance.
Are there hotel vouchers for immigrants in Virginia?
Yes. Northern Virginia has one of the largest and most diverse immigrant populations on the East Coast. NVFS (703-533-9727) and Catholic Charities Arlington (703-841-3830) serve immigrants and refugees regardless of status. Dial 211 and ask about immigration-inclusive emergency housing programs in your area.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in Virginia?
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 local DSS office about emergency identification 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 local DSS office is also a resource — they are required to connect you with available emergency assistance.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in Virginia tonight, your first call should be to 211 — and your second should be to your local Department of Social Services office. Virginia’s Emergency Assistance program means your local DSS has emergency funds available, and you have a right to apply.
Virginia has resources for you — from the halls of Northern Virginia to the shores of Hampton Roads, from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coalfields of Southwest Virginia. Don’t wait to reach out — that’s exactly what these programs are here for.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Virginia DSS, Virginia Housing Development Authority, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army Virginia
Program availability and funding levels vary by locality and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.