If you’re homeless or about to lose your housing in Washington state tonight, hotel vouchers are available — and you may qualify right now. Washington has one of the most robust homeless assistance networks on the West 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 Washington-specific program, how to apply, who qualifies, and what to do if you need help immediately.
Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in Washington — Quick Answer
Yes, hotel vouchers for homeless individuals are available in Washington through the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), 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 Washington?
Several organizations in Washington can provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers:
Washington State Department of Commerce — Washington’s primary housing agency manages the state’s homeless assistance programs and distributes federal ESG and HOME funds to local nonprofits providing emergency shelter including hotel and motel placements. Visit commerce.wa.gov.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) — DSHS manages Washington’s social services programs including the WorkFirst program (Washington’s TANF) and can connect qualifying individuals and families with emergency housing resources. Visit dshs.wa.gov.
Washington 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. Washington’s 211 covers all 39 counties.
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) — Washington 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, from the Seattle metro to the rural eastern Washington plains.
Salvation Army Washington — The Salvation Army operates locations in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellingham, Yakima, Wenatchee, and other cities and regularly provides emergency motel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Catholic Charities Washington — Provides emergency housing assistance regardless of religion or background, with offices in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Yakima, and other communities statewide.
American Red Cross Washington — If your housing crisis results from a wildfire, earthquake, flood, or other disaster, the Red Cross can arrange immediate hotel accommodations at no cost.
Local churches and faith-based organizations — Many Washington churches — from Seattle mega-congregations to small rural eastern Washington and island community churches — maintain emergency funds specifically for hotel and motel vouchers.
Who Qualifies for Emergency Hotel Vouchers in Washington?
Eligibility varies by program, but most Washington 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 Washington programs
- Elderly individuals (60 and older)
- People with disabilities or serious health conditions
- Domestic violence survivors — most Washington programs fast-track DV cases
- Veterans experiencing homelessness
- Disaster survivors displaced by wildfires, earthquakes, floods, or volcanic activity — Washington faces significant natural disaster risk from multiple sources
- American Indian and Alaska Native individuals — Washington has a significant Native American population, with 29 federally recognized tribal nations and large urban Native communities in Seattle and Tacoma
- Immigrants and undocumented individuals — Washington has one of the largest immigrant populations on the West Coast, and several organizations serve individuals regardless of immigration status
- Agricultural workers — eastern Washington’s agricultural economy employs a large migrant and seasonal farmworker population facing unique housing challenges
- Individuals experiencing Washington’s extreme weather — from the heavy rainfall and mild but damp winters of western Washington to the frigid winters and wildfire-prone summers of eastern Washington
Washington state has one of the highest rates of homelessness per capita of any U.S. state, driven largely by a severe housing affordability crisis — particularly in the Seattle metropolitan area. The state has made major investments in homeless services and pioneered several innovative approaches. Washington also sits atop the Cascadia Subduction Zone, one of the most seismically hazardous fault systems in the world, making earthquake preparedness and emergency housing planning critically important. You do not necessarily need a photo ID to receive assistance in Washington, though having one speeds up the process.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Washington (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 Washington state.” Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with the nearest program that has funding available in your county. Washington’s 211 covers all 39 counties.
Step 2: Contact Washington DSHS
Washington DSHS has Community Services Offices (CSOs) across the state. DSHS administers WorkFirst (Washington’s TANF) and the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) cash assistance program and can connect you with temporary housing funds including motel vouchers for qualifying individuals and families.
Contact: dshs.wa.gov | 877-501-2233
Step 3: Contact Washington State Department of Commerce
The Department of Commerce manages Washington’s Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) program, which funds emergency shelter and hotel voucher programs across the state.
Contact: commerce.wa.gov | 360-725-4000
Step 4: Reach Out to a Community Action Agency
Washington’s Community Action Agencies serve counties across the state and often have emergency motel voucher funds available same-day. Key agencies include:
- Community House Mental Health / DESC — Seattle / King County
- Community Action of Skagit County — Mount Vernon / Skagit County
- Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) of Washington — Yakima County
- Spokane Housing Authority / Spokane SNAP — Spokane County
- Community Action of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties — Olympia area
- Benton-Franklin Community Action Committee — Kennewick / Tri-Cities
- Community Action Council of Lewis County — Centralia area
- Whatcom County Human Services — Bellingham / Whatcom County
Call 211 for the Community Action Agency serving your specific county.
Step 5: Contact the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has locations throughout Washington and can often provide same-day emergency motel vouchers. Call your nearest branch:
- Seattle: 206-587-0503
- Tacoma: 253-272-8459
- Spokane: 509-325-6810
- Bellingham: 360-733-2050
- Yakima: 509-453-4322
- Wenatchee: 509-662-4159
- Olympia: 360-754-6919
- Everett: 425-259-5448
- Vancouver: 360-695-5005
- Kennewick (Tri-Cities): 509-783-5083
Step 6: Contact Catholic Charities Washington
Catholic Charities provides emergency housing assistance to anyone in need regardless of faith.
- Seattle (Catholic Community Services of Western Washington): 206-323-6336
- Tacoma (Catholic Community Services): 253-502-2600
- Spokane (Catholic Charities Eastern Washington): 509-358-4250
- Yakima (Catholic Family and Child Services): 509-853-4000
Washington Government Programs for Emergency Housing
Washington DSHS — WorkFirst (TANF)
DSHS administers WorkFirst, Washington’s TANF program, which provides cash assistance and employment support for eligible families with children. WorkFirst emergency funds can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying families in crisis. Apply at your local DSHS Community Services Office.
Contact: dshs.wa.gov | 877-501-2233
Aged, Blind, or Disabled (ABD) Cash Assistance — Washington
Washington’s ABD program provides cash assistance for low-income adults who are aged, blind, or disabled and do not qualify for federal SSI. ABD funds can help cover emergency housing costs. Apply at your local DSHS Community Services Office.
Contact: dshs.wa.gov | 877-501-2233
Washington State Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG)
Washington’s Department of Commerce administers the Consolidated Homeless Grant, which funds emergency shelter and hotel voucher programs across all 39 counties. CHG is Washington’s primary state-level funding stream for homeless services.
Contact: commerce.wa.gov | 360-725-4000
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) — Washington
Washington receives substantial federal ESG funding from HUD, distributed through the Department of Commerce to local homeless service providers. ESG funds can cover emergency shelter including hotel stays when traditional shelter beds are unavailable.
Contact: Department of Commerce at commerce.wa.gov
King County — All Home
All Home is the CoC coordinator for King County and coordinates homeless services including emergency hotel voucher programs across the Seattle metro area. King County has Washington’s largest homeless population and most comprehensive services.
Contact: 206-263-9164 | allhomekc.org
HUD Continuum of Care — Washington CoC Programs
Washington has numerous HUD-funded CoC programs managing regional homeless services. Key CoCs include:
- Seattle/King County CoC
- Tacoma/Lakewood/Pierce County CoC
- Spokane City and County CoC
- Everett/Snohomish County CoC
- Bellingham/Whatcom County CoC
- Yakima City and County CoC
- Vancouver/Clark County CoC
- Olympia/Tumwater/Lacey/Thurston County CoC
- Balance of State Washington CoC
Find your local CoC: hudexchange.info | commerce.wa.gov
Tribal Emergency Assistance Programs
Washington’s 29 federally recognized tribal nations each have tribal social services that can provide emergency housing assistance including motel vouchers for tribal members. Key contacts include:
- Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Social Services (Auburn): 253-939-3311
- Puyallup Tribe Social Services (Tacoma): 253-573-7999
- Lummi Nation Social Services (Bellingham): 360-384-2282
- Tulalip Tribes Social Services (Marysville): 360-716-4400
- Colville Confederated Tribes Social Services (Nespelem): 509-634-2760
- Yakama Nation Social Services (Toppenish): 509-865-5121
- Urban Native organizations — Seattle: Chief Seattle Club, 206-292-6214
FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA)
Washington faces significant disaster risks including wildfires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and major flooding. 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) — Washington
Homeless Washington veterans have dedicated resources through the VA. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays while longer-term housing is arranged.
Washington VA Locations:
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System — Seattle: 206-762-1010
- VA Puget Sound — American Lake (Tacoma): 253-582-8440
- Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (Spokane): 509-434-7000
- Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center (Walla Walla): 509-525-5200
- Yakima VA Clinic: 509-966-0199
- Bellingham VA Clinic: 360-392-5640
- Kennewick VA Clinic: 509-736-0295
National Veterans Homeless Hotline: 1-877-424-3838 (24/7)
Nonprofit Organizations Offering Hotel Vouchers in Washington
DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) — Seattle
DESC is one of Seattle’s most respected homeless service organizations, providing emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and hotel voucher connections for chronically homeless individuals in King County, including many people with mental illness or substance use disorders.
Contact: 206-464-1570 | desc.org
Union Gospel Mission — Seattle
Union Gospel Mission provides emergency shelter, meals, and connections to hotel voucher programs for homeless individuals and families in the Seattle area.
Contact: 206-723-0767 | ugm.org
Chief Seattle Club — Seattle
Chief Seattle Club provides culturally specific emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher connections for Native Americans experiencing homelessness in Seattle and King County.
Contact: 206-292-6214 | chiefseattleclub.org
Compass Housing Alliance — Seattle
Compass Housing Alliance provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals and families in King and Snohomish counties.
Contact: 206-474-1100 | compasshousingalliance.org
Salvation Army Washington
With locations in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellingham, Yakima, Wenatchee, Olympia, Everett, Vancouver, and Kennewick, the Salvation Army is one of Washington’s most consistent statewide providers of emergency motel vouchers.
Website: salvationarmy.org
Catholic Community Services / Catholic Charities Washington
Serves anyone in need regardless of faith, with offices in Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, and Yakima providing emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher referrals across the state.
Union Gospel Mission — Spokane
Union Gospel Mission Spokane provides emergency shelter, meals, and connections to hotel voucher programs for homeless individuals and families in eastern Washington.
Contact: 509-535-8510 | ugmspokane.org
Volunteers of America Western Washington — Everett
VOA Western Washington provides emergency housing assistance and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals and families in Snohomish County and surrounding communities.
Contact: 425-259-3191 | voaww.org
YWCA of Seattle | King | Snohomish
The YWCA provides emergency shelter and hotel voucher connections specifically for women, families, and domestic violence survivors in King and Snohomish counties.
Contact: 206-461-4888 | ywcaworks.org
Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic / OIC of Washington — Yakima
OIC of Washington serves Yakima County’s large agricultural and farmworker community and provides emergency assistance including hotel voucher connections for individuals and families in the Yakima Valley.
Contact: 509-248-6726 | oicofwa.org
Clark County YWCA / Share Vancouver — Vancouver
Share provides emergency shelter and hotel voucher connections for homeless individuals and families in Clark County and the Vancouver area.
Contact: 360-993-9561 | sharevancouver.org
American Red Cross — Washington
The Red Cross assists people displaced by Washington’s wildfires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, 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 Washington
Seattle / King County
Seattle has Washington’s largest homeless population and one of the most extensive — and well-funded — homeless services systems in the nation. Key resources include:
- Seattle 211: Dial 211
- All Home King County: 206-263-9164
- DESC: 206-464-1570
- Chief Seattle Club (Native American): 206-292-6214
- Compass Housing Alliance: 206-474-1100
- Union Gospel Mission Seattle: 206-723-0767
- YWCA Seattle: 206-461-4888
- Salvation Army Seattle: 206-587-0503
- Catholic Community Services Seattle: 206-323-6336
- DSHS Seattle: 877-501-2233
Tacoma / Pierce County
- Tacoma 211: Dial 211
- Catholic Community Services Tacoma: 253-502-2600
- Salvation Army Tacoma: 253-272-8459
- Tacoma Rescue Mission: 253-383-4493
- Multi-Service Center (Federal Way/South King): 253-838-6810
- DSHS Tacoma: 877-501-2233
Spokane / Eastern Washington
- Spokane 211: Dial 211
- Union Gospel Mission Spokane: 509-535-8510
- Catholic Charities Eastern Washington: 509-358-4250
- Salvation Army Spokane: 509-325-6810
- Spokane SNAP (Community Action): 509-456-7627
- DSHS Spokane: 877-501-2233
Everett / Snohomish County
- Everett 211: Dial 211
- VOA Western Washington: 425-259-3191
- Salvation Army Everett: 425-259-5448
- Compass Housing Alliance: 206-474-1100
- DSHS Everett: 877-501-2233
Bellingham / Whatcom County
- Bellingham 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Bellingham: 360-733-2050
- Whatcom County Human Services: 360-676-6724
- Interfaith Coalition (emergency housing): 360-671-5140
- DSHS Bellingham: 877-501-2233
Yakima / Central Washington
Yakima has a large agricultural and Hispanic/Latino community with unique housing needs:
- Yakima 211: Dial 211
- OIC of Washington: 509-248-6726
- Yakama Nation Social Services (nearby): 509-865-5121
- Salvation Army Yakima: 509-453-4322
- Catholic Family and Child Services Yakima: 509-853-4000
- DSHS Yakima: 877-501-2233
Vancouver / Clark County
- Vancouver 211: Dial 211
- Share Vancouver: 360-993-9561
- Salvation Army Vancouver: 360-695-5005
- Catholic Community Services Vancouver: 360-546-2080
- DSHS Vancouver: 877-501-2233
Olympia / Thurston County
- Olympia 211: Dial 211
- Salvation Army Olympia: 360-754-6919
- Interfaith Works (emergency housing): 360-357-7224
- Community Action Council (Thurston/Mason/Lewis): 360-438-1100
- DSHS Olympia: 877-501-2233
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 Washington can help you navigate housing programs, tribal resources if applicable, and benefits specific to your county.
Apply for Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) in Washington. 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 Washington county.
Get on the Section 8 waitlist. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides long-term rental assistance. Contact your local housing authority to apply. Waitlists in Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane can be extremely long — apply as early as possible and to multiple housing authorities.
Apply for Washington Emergency Rental Assistance. Contact the Department of Commerce at commerce.wa.gov or dial 211 to ask about current rental assistance programs available in your county.
Look into transitional housing. Organizations like DESC, Compass Housing Alliance, Union Gospel Mission, Catholic Community Services, Share Vancouver, and the Salvation Army offer transitional housing programs across Washington with support services to help you build long-term stability.
Apply for benefits you may qualify for. If you haven’t already, apply for Basic Food (Washington’s SNAP), Apple Health (Washington Medicaid), and WorkFirst (TANF) at your local DSHS Community Services Office or at washingtonconnection.org or benefits.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher in Washington state tonight?
Call 211 right now. Operators are available 24/7 and can connect you with emergency hotel voucher programs in your Washington county. In Seattle, contact DESC at 206-464-1570 or the Union Gospel Mission at 206-723-0767. In Spokane, contact Union Gospel Mission Spokane at 509-535-8510. In Tacoma, contact Tacoma Rescue Mission at 253-383-4493.
What is Washington’s Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG)?
Washington’s CHG is the state’s primary funding stream for homeless services, administered by the Department of Commerce. CHG funds emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and hotel voucher programs across all 39 counties. Contact the Department of Commerce at commerce.wa.gov or dial 211 for CHG-funded providers in your area.
Are hotel vouchers available after a wildfire in Washington?
Yes. Eastern Washington experiences significant wildfire activity every summer. If a wildfire 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 wildfire-related housing needs in Washington.
Are hotel vouchers available for Native Americans in Washington?
Yes. Washington’s 29 tribal nations each have tribal social services that can provide emergency housing assistance including motel vouchers for enrolled members. Urban Native Americans in Seattle can contact Chief Seattle Club (206-292-6214) for culturally specific emergency housing resources. Dial 211 and ask about Native-specific programs in your area.
Are hotel vouchers available for farmworkers in eastern Washington?
Yes. Eastern Washington’s agricultural economy employs a large migrant and seasonal farmworker population. OIC of Washington (509-248-6726) in Yakima serves farmworkers and the agricultural community. Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic also provides social services referrals. Dial 211 for farmworker-specific emergency housing resources in your county.
Does Washington DSHS provide hotel vouchers?
Yes. Washington DSHS manages WorkFirst (TANF) and ABD cash assistance that can cover temporary motel stays for qualifying individuals and families. Contact your local DSHS Community Services Office directly at 877-501-2233 to ask about available emergency funds.
Are hotel vouchers available after an earthquake in Washington?
Yes. Washington sits atop the Cascadia Subduction Zone — one of the most seismically hazardous fault systems in the world. If an earthquake is declared a federal disaster, FEMA’s TSA program can place you in a hotel at no cost. Apply at disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.
Can I get a hotel voucher without an ID in Washington?
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 DSHS Community Services Office about emergency identification assistance.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Washington?
Yes. Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-424-3838 (24/7) or the VA Puget Sound Health Care System at 206-762-1010. VA social workers can often arrange emergency hotel stays same-day for veterans in crisis.
Are there hotel vouchers for domestic violence survivors in Washington?
Yes. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) or the Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-562-6025 (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 eastern Washington, tribal social services, local churches, and DSHS Community Services Offices are the most accessible backup resources.
Final Thoughts
If you need a hotel voucher in Washington state tonight, your first call should be to 211. From there, operators can connect you with the nearest available program — whether that’s DESC, Chief Seattle Club, Union Gospel Mission, Compass Housing Alliance, Catholic Community Services, the Salvation Army, or another local organization serving your county.
Washington has invested significantly in addressing homelessness — from the urban streets of Seattle to the agricultural valleys of eastern Washington, from the San Juan Islands to the Palouse. Don’t wait to reach out — help is available.
Last Updated: 2026 | Sources: Washington Department of Commerce, Washington DSHS, HUD, FEMA, Salvation Army Washington
Program availability and funding levels vary by county and change frequently. Always verify current availability directly with the providing organization.