Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States — and with that growth has come a housing affordability crisis that has pushed thousands of residents into homelessness. Davidson County had over 2,400 people experiencing homelessness on a single night according to the most recent point-in-time count, with hundreds sleeping unsheltered. Emergency hotel and motel voucher programs exist to bridge the gap when shelter beds are full or inaccessible.
This guide from House for Homeless covers exactly who to call and what to say to get an emergency hotel or motel voucher in Nashville tonight. For statewide Tennessee programs, see our hotel vouchers for homeless in Tennessee guide.
Need a hotel voucher in Nashville tonight? Call 211 immediately — available 24 hours. Tell the operator you are in Davidson County and need emergency hotel or motel assistance. Veterans call 877-424-3838.
Where to Get Hotel Vouchers in Nashville
1. Call 211 First
Dial 211 from anywhere in Nashville or Davidson County. Operators are available 24 hours and have real-time information on which Nashville-area programs currently have hotel voucher funding. Always start here.
What to say: “I am homeless in Nashville and need emergency hotel or motel assistance tonight. I am currently [sleeping outside / in my car / at a shelter that is full]. I have [pets / partner / children / medical needs — mention anything that limits your access to shelter].”
2. Room In The Inn
Room In The Inn is one of Nashville’s most respected and comprehensive homeless service organizations. They coordinate Nashville’s winter shelter program — the largest in the country — and operate year-round emergency housing services. They are the first call for most Nashville homeless service providers when someone needs emergency placement.
Phone: 615-242-7126 Address: 211 Rosa L. Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203 Website: roominntheinn.org Hours: Administrative: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; emergency shelter referrals available through 211 after hours
What they can do: Connect you to emergency shelter beds, hotel placements when shelter is full, case management, and referrals to Nashville’s full continuum of housing resources.
Who they serve: Adults experiencing homelessness in Nashville, regardless of background. Low-barrier services — do not require sobriety or ID for emergency referrals.
3. Nashville Continuum of Care / CCGN (Continuity of Care of Greater Nashville)
CCGN is the lead CoC agency coordinating Nashville’s homelessness response. They manage the coordinated entry system — the official gateway to rapid rehousing, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing in Nashville.
Phone: 615-862-6560 Website: nashvillecoc.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; call 211 after hours
How to access coordinated entry: Call CCGN or 211 and ask to be assessed through Nashville’s coordinated entry system. Being in the system is how you access most permanent housing programs in the city.
4. The Salvation Army of Nashville
The Salvation Army operates one of Nashville’s largest emergency assistance programs, providing shelter, food, clothing, and emergency housing funds including hotel vouchers for individuals and families in crisis.
Phone: 615-242-0411 Address: 800 Rosa L. Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37206 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (assistance applications) After hours: Limited emergency services — call 211 for after-hours referrals
What they provide: Emergency hotel vouchers, food assistance, clothing, and connections to longer-term housing programs. Ask specifically about hotel or motel assistance when you call.
Who they serve: Individuals, couples, and families. Do not require religious affiliation.
5. Catholic Charities of Tennessee
Catholic Charities serves anyone in need regardless of religion and maintains emergency funds for housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
Nashville office phone: 615-352-3087 Address: 2806 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN 37214 Website: cctenn.org Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Languages: English and Spanish; interpreter services available for other languages.
What they provide: Emergency housing assistance, food assistance, and connections to other programs. Funds are limited — call early in the day for best availability.
6. Matthew 25 (Families and Women)
Matthew 25 specifically serves families, women, and children experiencing homelessness in Nashville. They provide emergency shelter, case management, and emergency hotel placements when their facility is full.
Phone: 615-256-4212 Address: 3108 Brick Church Pike, Nashville, TN 37207 Website: m25nashville.org Hours: Call for current intake times
Who they serve: Families with children and single women. Particularly strong services for women fleeing domestic violence — confidential placements available.
Note: If you are a family with children, Matthew 25 should be one of your first calls in Nashville. They prioritize families and will work to find placement even when their shelter is at capacity.
7. Open Table Nashville
Open Table Nashville works alongside people experiencing homelessness, connecting them to community support, resources, and emergency housing assistance. They have strong relationships with Nashville’s hotel voucher programs and can often facilitate placement more quickly than going through 211 alone.
Phone: 615-415-4611 Address: 1704 Cedar Ln, Nashville, TN 37212 Website: opentablenashville.org
What they can do: Connect you to emergency hotel placements, pair you with a community advocate, and walk alongside you through the process of accessing longer-term housing. Particularly effective for people who have struggled to navigate the formal system alone.
8. Oasis Center (Youth — Ages 14–24)
For young people ages 14 to 24 experiencing homelessness in Nashville, Oasis Center provides emergency housing, case management, and connections to youth-specific programs.
Phone: 615-327-4455 Address: 1001 Lawrence St, Nashville, TN 37208 Website: oasiscenter.org Hours: Call for current drop-in and intake hours
Who they serve: Youth ages 14–24. Low-barrier — do not require ID or sobriety. LGBTQ+ affirming.
Emergency line: Call the main number and ask for emergency youth housing assistance if you are under 24 and need shelter tonight.
9. Nashville Rescue Mission (Men)
Nashville Rescue Mission is one of the city’s largest emergency shelters for men. When the Mission is full, staff can sometimes connect men to emergency hotel placements through partner organizations.
Phone: 615-255-2475 Address: 639 Lafayette St, Nashville, TN 37203 Website: nashvillerescuemission.org Intake: Daily — call ahead for current hours and bed availability
Who they serve: Men 18 and older. Programs include emergency shelter, long-term recovery housing, job training, and addiction recovery.
10. Davidson County DJFS (Emergency Assistance)
The Tennessee Department of Human Services — Davidson County — can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families with children through the state’s emergency assistance programs.
Phone: 615-532-5200 Address: 400 Deaderick St, Nashville, TN 37243 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Who to ask for: Ask specifically for a Family Services Worker and explain that you are homeless with children and need emergency hotel assistance.
Nashville-Specific Resources
Nashville’s Coordinated Entry System
Nashville operates a coordinated entry system through CCGN that is the gateway to most permanent housing programs. Call 211 or CCGN to be assessed. The assessment uses the VI-SPDAT tool — a brief questionnaire about your housing history and vulnerability — to match you to available programs.
Being in Nashville’s coordinated entry system is essential. Even if you get a hotel voucher tonight, ask the placing agency to refer you to coordinated entry the same day.
Nashville Homeless Impact Division
Nashville Metro Government operates a Homeless Impact Division that coordinates outreach to unsheltered individuals and connects them to services. If you are sleeping outside in Nashville, outreach workers from this division may find you — or you can contact them through 211.
The Love Kitchen (Food + Referrals)
Located at 2615 Clifton Ave, Nashville — The Love Kitchen serves meals and can sometimes provide emergency assistance referrals including hotel connections for people in crisis. Phone: 615-329-2418.
Dismas House Nashville
For people recently released from incarceration who are homeless in Nashville, Dismas House provides transitional housing and emergency assistance. Phone: 615-242-1363. Website: dismashouse.org.
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Nashville
| Priority Group | Nashville-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority — outreach teams actively seek them |
| Families with children | Matthew 25 and CCGN prioritize; DJFS can sometimes authorize |
| Women alone | Matthew 25, YWCA Nashville, DV-specific programs |
| Domestic violence survivors | Tennessee DV Hotline: 1-800-356-6767; confidential placements |
| Veterans | Nashville VA Medical Center: 615-327-4751; call 877-424-3838 first |
| Youth ages 14–24 | Oasis Center specifically serves this age group |
| LGBTQ+ individuals | Oasis Center is affirming; some shelters are not — ask 211 |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| People with pets | Limited — call 211 specifically; some Nashville programs have options |
| People in recovery | Nashville Rescue Mission (recovery-focused); Open Table for low-barrier |
What to Do During Your Nashville Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Tennessee SNAP at tn.gov/humanservices or call 1-888-863-6178. With zero income you qualify for maximum benefits. See our guide on how to apply for SNAP when homeless.
Apply for TennCare: Apply for Tennessee Medicaid at tenncareconnect.tn.gov — free healthcare including mental health and substance use treatment.
Enter Nashville’s coordinated entry system: Call CCGN at 615-862-6560 or 211 on Day 1. Do not wait — the sooner you are assessed, the sooner you move up the housing queue.
Apply for rapid rehousing: Nashville has active rapid rehousing programs. Ask CCGN or 211 for rapid rehousing referrals — this is your fastest path to a permanent apartment. Also see our emergency rental assistance guide for another immediate option.
Apply for Section 8: Contact Nashville Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency at 615-252-8400. Nashville’s Section 8 waitlist is long — apply now while pursuing faster options. See our Section 8 guide and browse all housing voucher programs for additional assistance.
Emergency Shelter Alternatives in Nashville
If hotel voucher programs are fully funded or unavailable tonight:
| Shelter | Phone | Who Served |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville Rescue Mission | 615-255-2475 | Men 18+ |
| Room In The Inn | 615-242-7126 | Adults (winter program largest) |
| Matthew 25 | 615-256-4212 | Women and families |
| YWCA Nashville | 615-242-7586 | Women and children |
| Oasis Center | 615-327-4455 | Youth 14–24 |
| Salvation Army Nashville | 615-242-0411 | Individuals and families |
Call 211 first — operators know which Nashville facilities currently have open beds. Also see our emergency shelters guide for more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher for homeless in Nashville?
Call 211 immediately — available 24 hours in Nashville. Tell the operator you are homeless in Davidson County and need emergency hotel or motel assistance. You can also call Room In The Inn at 615-242-7126, the Salvation Army at 615-242-0411, or Catholic Charities at 615-352-3087 during business hours.
Are hotel vouchers free in Nashville?
Yes. Emergency hotel and motel vouchers in Nashville are completely free — you pay nothing. The issuing agency pays the hotel directly on your behalf.
Can couples stay together with a hotel voucher in Nashville?
Yes. This is one of the main uses of hotel vouchers — Nashville’s emergency shelters are mostly gender-separated and cannot house couples together. Call 211 and specifically mention that you are a couple. Hotel placements are the standard solution.
Are there hotel vouchers for families in Nashville?
Yes. Call Matthew 25 at 615-256-4212 — they specifically serve families and women and will work to find placement even when their facility is at capacity. Also call CCGN at 615-862-6560 and Davidson County DJFS at 615-532-5200 if you have children.
Are there hotel vouchers for LGBTQ+ homeless people in Nashville?
Yes. Oasis Center at 615-327-4455 is LGBTQ+ affirming and serves youth ages 14–24. Open Table Nashville is also LGBTQ+ inclusive. When calling 211, you can ask specifically for LGBTQ+-affirming emergency housing programs.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Nashville?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 directly. The Nashville VA Medical Center at 615-327-4751 has dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH vouchers, SSVF rapid rehousing, and VA Grant and Per Diem transitional housing. Do not use general programs first.
What if no hotel voucher programs have funding in Nashville tonight?
Call 211 for emergency shelter bed availability. Nashville Rescue Mission (men), Matthew 25 (women and families), and the Salvation Army all operate emergency shelters. Room In The Inn’s winter program is one of the largest in the country — contact them about current availability.
How does Nashville’s coordinated entry system work?
Call 211 or CCGN at 615-862-6560 to be assessed using the VI-SPDAT tool. Based on your housing history and vulnerability score, you are matched to available housing programs. Higher scores mean faster placement. Families with children, veterans, and people with disabilities typically receive prioritized placement. Being in the system is essential — do not wait.