If you or someone you help is sleeping outdoors, in a car, or facing an immediate housing emergency in Atlanta, short-term hotel or motel vouchers may be a temporary solution. They are typically offered by a small group of city and state programs and local nonprofit organizations for referrals, emergencies (extreme weather, domestic violence, crises), or when shelter beds are unavailable. Below, you’ll find a practical, step-by-step guide on where to look, who provides them, how eligibility is determined, how to apply, and other resources to move from crisis to stable housing.
What are Hotel or Motel Vouchers?
A hotel/motel voucher is a short-term loan (hours, days, or sometimes up to two weeks) paid to a hotel on behalf of an individual or family who does not have a safe place to sleep. Vouchers are not long-term housing; they are emergency shelters while social workers work on longer-term solutions (shelter placement, rapid rehousing, vouchers). Many programs limit the frequency (often once a year) and prioritize households with children, veterans, victims of domestic violence, or those with medical needs.
Where to go First to get Free Hotel Vouchers
Call ATL311/Coordinated Entry: For people in Atlanta, ATL311 connects callers with the city’s homeless services and Coordinated Entry for assessment and triage. They can provide information on hotel voucher availability and referrals to providers. If you are in Atlanta, this is often the first official step.
Continuum of Care (Partners for HOME/Local Providers): The Atlanta Continuum of Care coordinates local nonprofits, shelters, and rapid rehousing providers. Many voucher decisions are made through the caseworkers in this network; if you already work with a homeless service provider, ask them to contact the CoC Entry system on your behalf.
Nonprofits that historically offer motel/hotel vouchers: Some local organizations directly operate small hotel voucher programs or maintain emergency funds that can be used for motel stays (e.g., Another Chance of Atlanta and some faith-based or community-based agencies). Availability is limited and is usually requested (fill out a screening form or speak to an intake assistant).
County Assessment Centers and Homeless Services: If you live in Fulton County (outside Atlanta city limits) or neighboring counties, contact the County Homeless Assessment Center/Division of Homelessness. They manage local intake and can coordinate emergency assistance or referrals.
Shelter providers and missionary organizations: Major shelter providers (e.g., Atlanta Mission, Hope Atlanta, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and similar) may offer emergency shelter or, if shelter beds are full or unsafe for a family, may be able to assist with securing hotel vouchers or emergency accommodations through partner funds. Always call the intake numbers for these organizations.
Eligibility to get Free Hotel Vouchers for Homeless Atlanta
Eligibility rules vary by program, but common themes include:
Experiencing homelessness (without a safe place to stay): unsheltered, in a car, or in an emergency situation.
Priority populations: Families with children, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, people with disabilities, and people with urgent medical needs.
Documentation: Some programs will request identification, proof of family composition, or evidence of homelessness, but many can initiate a referral using verbal information in urgent cases.
Limits: Most programs can only assist once per period (often once a year) and have short duration limits (several days to a couple of weeks). Case managers will seek a housing plan (shelter placement or rapid rehousing) while the voucher is being used.
How to Apply / get a Hotel voucher — step-by-step
Call ATL311 (City) or your county’s Homeless Assessment Center. Indicate your location, immediate safety needs, household size, and whether you have pets, disabilities, or children. ATL311 can classify you into the coordinated system. (ATL311: 404-546-0311).
Complete the Coordinated Intake/VI-SPDAT if requested. Coordinated Intake typically uses a standard assessment to prioritize households. Be honest and thorough; the assessment determines what resources are offered next.
Request emergency assistance from shelter providers or nonprofit organizations. If ATL311 or Coordinated Intake cannot locate you immediately, ask local nonprofits (Salvation Army, Atlanta Mission, Another Chance, PADV, Catholic Charities, United Way partners) if they have emergency hotel funds or can issue a voucher or referral. Many agencies maintain small discretionary funds.
If they refer you, follow the agency’s documentation process. Agencies that issue vouchers typically request basic information (name, household size, method of contact) and a brief interview. They will call a hotel to reserve a room or provide you with a voucher code/authorization to present upon check-in.
Work with your social worker: A voucher is temporary; the agency should open a case to help you find shelter or housing resources (rapid rehousing, shelter placement, information about the Housing Choice voucher waitlist). Ask your social worker for referrals and the necessary documentation to access long-term programs.
Practical tips when requesting vouchers
Start with the official hotline (ATL311): it connects you to the system.
Bring your ID and any documents you have (IDs, proof of children, veteran documentation); this expedites admission.
Be clear about health and safety needs (medical condition, domestic violence); this can prioritize the request.
Prepare for shortages: Hotel vouchers are limited; many providers reserve them for the most serious emergencies. If you are turned down, ask for referrals to beds at shelters, warming centers, or the Coordinated Entry waiting list. (Many community forums and provider staff report that vouchers are very limited.)
Other local programs and long-term assistance (don’t rely solely on vouchers)
Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) and Housing Choice Vouchers: Federal programs administered locally through public housing agencies (very different from a short-term hotel voucher; these are long-term rental subsidies, but often have long wait times and strict requirements). Check with the Atlanta Housing Authority and the Fulton County Housing Authority for openings and waiting lists.
Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing: Operated by CoC partners and nonprofits, these programs help people get off the street and into more permanent housing. They are generally referred through a coordinated intake.
Motel-to-Home Assistance: Some nonprofits cover moving costs or offer limited assistance with motel accommodations as part of the transition to permanent housing; availability varies.
Contacts & websites to start with
ATL311 (City of Atlanta Coordinated Intake/Support Services): Call 404-546-0311 (option for Support Services).
Partners for HOME (Atlanta CoC): partnersforhome.org — coordinates the local response to homelessness.
Another Chance in Atlanta (screening and hotel/motel vouchers): Organization pages and screening forms are available online. Search “Another Chance in Atlanta hotel voucher” or visit local resource directories.
Fulton County Division of Homelessness/Homeless Assessment Center: Contact the County Division of Homelessness for county-level intake information.
Shelter providers (example): Atlanta Mission — Help page: atlantamission.org/get-help (phone: 404-588-4000).
What to Do If You Can’t Get a Voucher
Request shelter accommodation (even if it’s a mixed-gender program or an overnight intake center).
Request information about heating/cooling centers (seasonal services).
Request a referral for rapid rehousing; even if you have to wait, being in the system expedites access to housing programs.
Contact 2-1-1/United Way helplines or major nonprofit organizations (United Way of Greater Atlanta) for emergency assistance referrals.
Document everything: names, dates, and phone numbers of agency staff; this will be helpful if you need to escalate the case or reapply.
Conclusion
Hotel vouchers are available in Atlanta, but they are a scarce and emergency-only resource. The local system prioritizes the most vulnerable and typically directs people to coordinated entry and housing programs. If you need immediate help, start with ATL311 and a local social worker or caseworker who can refer you; this path offers the best opportunity for both immediate safety and subsequent housing support.
