Short answer: Hotels rarely give out free vouchers directly to homeless people. By 2025, most free hotel nights for homeless people will come from government programs, nonprofits, or emergency relief partnerships—not from a hotel’s standard marketing department. Below, I explain how the system works, who issues the vouchers, real-life examples from 2024–2025, and how to get help if you or someone you know needs a hotel voucher today.
How it Usually Works
Vouchers are issued by agencies, not hotels. Local social services, public housing authorities (PHAs), or charities issue vouchers for hotels and motels and then place clients in participating hotels or motels. Some examples include HUD’s Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs), county social service programs, and nonprofit organizations.
Hotels participate as providers or through donations. In the event of disasters or special relief initiatives, hotel chains may donate room nights (or accept payments from the government or nonprofit organizations). Recent examples show large hotel chains and platforms donating room nights during wildfires and other emergencies.
Who issues vouchers in 2025?
Federal and Local Housing Programs
HUD’s Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) are distributed to local PHAs to assist homeless or high-risk individuals. Local housing authorities can place EHV holders in private housing or assist with temporary placements.
City and County Social Services
Many counties and states operate hotel and motel voucher programs (often short-term, for example, up to 7 to 30 days) for people experiencing homelessness, displaced by disasters, or receiving certain income assistance (for example, CalWORKs in California). These programs direct voucher recipients to local motels and hotels.
Nonprofits and Faith-Based Groups
Organizations such as the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Family Promise, and local shelters often implement emergency housing programs and issue hotel vouchers when shelters are full or for families in crisis.
Disaster Relief Partnerships and Donations
During specific emergencies (wildfires, storms), hotel chains and hotel partners have donated rooms or collaborated with groups such as 211 LA to house displaced people. For example, Hilton and American Express donated free nights for wildfire evacuees through local coordination. FEMA also maintains lists of participating hotels for certain emergency programs.
Large municipal contracts
Some cities contract directly with hotel associations to purchase large blocks of rooms for emergency shelters. The contracting of hotels in New York City for emergency shelters is a prominent example of how the city places people in hotels through contracts with vendors. (These are not free for hotels; the city pays the hotels; placement is done through municipal agencies.)
Recent and Specific Examples (2024-2025)
Hilton + American Express donated tens of thousands of room nights to assist evacuees from the wildfires in the Los Angeles area; placements were coordinated through 211 LA. This is an example of a chain donating nights for a specific disaster, not an ongoing voucher program.
FEMA/Transitional Shelter Assistance and other federal disaster programs publish lists of participating hotels when activated; evacuees who qualify for these programs can be placed in approved accommodations.
New York City and the Hotel Association: New York City has repeatedly implemented large “voucher” contracts and hotel placements to house migrants and homeless people, demonstrating how the municipal purchase of hotel rooms is used on a large scale.
How to Get a Hotel Voucher (Practical Steps)
Call 211 (or your local helpline).
In many regions of the U.S., 211 is the gateway to emergency housing and will connect you with local hotel voucher programs, shelters, and partner nonprofits.
Contact Social Services or your local Housing Authority.
Ask about Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs), the motel voucher policy, or short-term shelter placements. If you qualify for public assistance (e.g., CalWORKs in California), ask about authorized hotel/motel vouchers.
Contact nonprofit organizations or faith-based agencies.
The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Family Promise, and local churches often have emergency programs or funds for temporary hotel stays.
If a disaster displaces you, check the FEMA or local emergency pages. FEMA or your state emergency management agency will post instructions and participating hotels when assistance programs are active.
What to Expect (Eligibility and Limits)
Short-term only: Most vouchers cover days, not months (typical range: 3 to 30 days), and are intended to buy time for a longer-term housing solution.
Required documentation: Identification, proof of homelessness/displacement, or enrollment in a qualifying program may be required.
Availability varies: Vouchers depend on local funding and hotel participation; in large cities, demand often exceeds supply, especially during crises.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for hotels that offer free vouchers, there’s no single list, as hotels rarely issue them. Instead, start with 211, your local housing authority, county social services, or major nonprofit organizations. These organizations monitor vouchers and maintain lists of participating hotels in your area. For specific disaster relief nights or donated stays, follow local news, 211 updates, and nonprofit announcements: chains and platforms announce special donations when emergencies occur.
- Emergency Housing Help from Religious Charities - November 11, 2025
- Rent Vouchers from Local Housing Authorities - November 6, 2025
- Community Wildfire Defense Grant 2025 - November 5, 2025