Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country — but its homelessness crisis is proportionally significant. With over 1,400 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, and one of the most expensive housing markets in New England, the gap between available housing and what low-income residents can afford continues to grow. Emergency hotel and motel voucher programs operate statewide, with Providence anchoring the majority of services and smaller organizations serving the rest of the state.
This guide from House for Homeless explains how to find and access emergency hotel assistance anywhere in Rhode Island tonight. For programs in other states, see our hotel vouchers for homeless guide.
Need a hotel voucher in Rhode Island tonight? Call 211 immediately — Rhode Island 211 is available 24 hours. Tell the operator your city or town and that you need emergency hotel or motel assistance. Veterans call 877-424-3838.
How Emergency Hotel Vouchers Work in Rhode Island
Rhode Island does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered through:
- Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) — administers state emergency assistance programs
- Rhode Island Housing — the state’s housing finance agency, distributes ESG and state funds
- Rhode Island Continuum of Care (RI CoC) — the single statewide CoC coordinating all homeless services
- Community Action Agencies — Rhode Island has a CAA network covering all communities
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Rhode Island is unique in that it operates a single statewide Continuum of Care — unlike larger states with multiple regional CoCs. This means coordinated entry and homeless services are centrally coordinated, which can make accessing resources more consistent across the state.
Always call 211 first.
Rhode Island State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS)
DHS administers emergency assistance programs statewide including the Rhode Island General Public Assistance (GPA) program, which can provide emergency funds for housing in acute crisis situations.
DHS contact: 401-462-5300 Website: dhs.ri.gov
Rhode Island Housing
Rhode Island Housing administers federal ESG funds and state housing resources, distributing them to local organizations for emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance statewide.
Contact: 401-457-1234 Website: rihousing.com
Rhode Island Works (TANF)
Rhode Island’s TANF program — Rhode Island Works — can authorize emergency hotel placements for families with children in acute crisis. Contact your local DHS office to apply.
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Rhode Island
Providence (Primary Resource Hub)
Providence has the most comprehensive homeless services in Rhode Island, serving both Providence residents and people from across the state.
Crossroads Rhode Island The lead homeless service organization in Rhode Island and the primary agency for emergency hotel placements statewide. Crossroads operates emergency shelters, rapid rehousing, and case management — and is the first call for most hotel voucher situations in Rhode Island.
- Phone: 401-521-2255
- Address: 160 Broad St, Providence, RI 02903
- Website: crossroadsri.org
- Intake: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; call 211 after hours
- Who they serve: Adults, families, and youth. Low-barrier — many programs do not require sobriety or ID.
Amos House Comprehensive day services and housing assistance in Providence.
- Phone: 401-272-0220
- Address: 460 Pine St, Providence, RI 02907
- Website: amoshouse.com
- Services: Emergency assistance, meals, case management, and housing referrals
Salvation Army of Providence Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 401-421-5230
- Address: 386 Broad St, Providence, RI 02907
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Catholic Social Services of Rhode Island Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone regardless of faith.
- Phone: 401-278-4500
- Website: catholiccharitiesri.org
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Providence Center Behavioral health services and housing assistance for people with mental illness or substance use issues experiencing homelessness.
- Phone: 401-276-4020
- Website: providencecenter.org
Harrington Hall (men — recovery focused) Emergency shelter and housing for men in recovery in Providence.
- Phone: 401-785-0050
McAuley House Day shelter and emergency assistance for people experiencing homelessness in Providence.
- Phone: 401-351-3500
- Address: 10 Dore St, Providence, RI 02908
Northern Rhode Island (Woonsocket, Pawtucket, Cumberland)
Woonsocket Community Action Agency (CAP) Community Action Agency serving Northern Rhode Island with emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 401-769-0550
- Website: cap-ri.org
Salvation Army of Woonsocket Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 401-765-5000
- Address: 243 Cumberland St, Woonsocket, RI 02895
Pawtucket Social Services Emergency housing assistance for Pawtucket residents.
- Phone: 401-728-0500 ext. 389
Southern Rhode Island (Warwick, Cranston, Newport, South County)
House of Hope Community Development Corporation (Newport County) Emergency shelter and housing services for Newport County residents.
- Phone: 401-846-4673
- Website: houseofhopecdc.org
Cranston Department of Social Services Emergency housing assistance for Cranston residents.
- Phone: 401-780-3165
Warwick Community Action Emergency assistance for Warwick area residents.
- Phone: 401-739-8022
Salvation Army of Newport Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 401-846-5520
South County Community Action Community Action Agency serving Washington County (South County) with emergency housing funds.
- Phone: 401-364-6204
- Website: sccaonline.org
Rhode Island Coordinated Entry — How It Works
Rhode Island operates a single statewide coordinated entry system through the RI CoC, coordinated by Crossroads Rhode Island. This is your pathway to all permanent housing programs in the state.
How to access:
- Call 211 or contact Crossroads Rhode Island at 401-521-2255
- You are assessed using the standardized VI-SPDAT tool
- Based on your score and household type, you are matched to available housing programs — rapid rehousing, transitional housing, or permanent supportive housing
- You are placed on a prioritized list for housing slots statewide
Being assessed through coordinated entry is essential — even if you are getting a hotel voucher tonight, ask the placing agency to refer you to coordinated entry the same day.
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Rhode Island
| Priority Group | Rhode Island-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority; RI CoC outreach teams active statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; Rhode Island Works (TANF) can authorize placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | RI DV hotline: 1-800-494-8100; Day One RI: 401-751-4590 |
| Veterans | Providence VA Medical Center: 401-273-7100; call 877-424-3838 |
| Youth ages 18–24 | Amos House and Crossroads serve young adults |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most programs |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| People with mental illness | Providence Center; Crossroads low-barrier programs |
| People with pets | Very limited — call 211 specifically |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Rhode Island — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours statewide. Tell the operator your city or town and that you need emergency hotel or motel assistance.
Step 2: Call Crossroads Rhode Island at 401-521-2255 — the primary hotel voucher resource in Rhode Island. Even if you are outside Providence, Crossroads can connect you to resources statewide.
Step 3: If you are a family with children, call Rhode Island DHS at 401-462-5300 and ask about Rhode Island Works emergency housing assistance.
Step 4: Contact your local Salvation Army or Catholic Social Services office.
Step 5: If you are in Northern Rhode Island, call Woonsocket CAP at 401-769-0550.
Step 6: If you are in Newport County, call House of Hope at 401-846-4673.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your Rhode Island Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Rhode Island SNAP at dhs.ri.gov or call 401-462-5300. With zero income you qualify for maximum benefits and expedited 7-day processing. See our food assistance guide for more information.
Apply for Medicaid: Apply at dhs.ri.gov for RIte Care — Rhode Island’s Medicaid program — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry: Call 211 or Crossroads Rhode Island at 401-521-2255 on Day 1. Rhode Island’s single statewide CoC means one call connects you to all available housing programs in the state.
Apply for rapid rehousing: Ask 211 or Crossroads specifically for rapid rehousing referrals — Rhode Island has active rapid rehousing programs. See our emergency rental assistance guide for another immediate option.
Apply for Section 8: Contact the Rhode Island Housing Resources Commission or your local housing authority. Providence Housing Authority: 401-751-6400. Rhode Island’s Section 8 waitlists are very long — apply now while pursuing faster options. See our Section 8 guide and browse all housing voucher programs for more options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Rhode Island?
Call 211 from anywhere in Rhode Island — available 24 hours. Tell the operator your city or town and that you need emergency hotel or motel assistance. Also call Crossroads Rhode Island directly at 401-521-2255 — they are the primary resource for emergency hotel placements statewide. Your local Salvation Army and Catholic Social Services are also good contacts.
Does Rhode Island have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No single statewide hotel voucher program exists. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered through the RI CoC, Rhode Island DHS, Rhode Island Housing, and local nonprofits. Because Rhode Island has a single statewide CoC — unlike most states — services are more coordinated than average. Call 211 for what is currently available.
What makes Rhode Island’s homeless services unique?
Rhode Island operates a single statewide Continuum of Care rather than multiple regional CoCs. This means coordinated entry, housing placements, and emergency hotel referrals are centrally coordinated through one system. Crossroads Rhode Island serves as the anchor organization for this system, making it the primary first contact for most housing emergencies statewide.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Rhode Island?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority across Rhode Island’s programs. Rhode Island Works (TANF) can authorize emergency hotel placements for families in acute crisis — call DHS at 401-462-5300. Crossroads Rhode Island also prioritizes families. Call 211 and specify that you have children.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Rhode Island?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. The Providence VA Medical Center at 401-273-7100 has dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH vouchers and SSVF rapid rehousing. Rhode Island’s small size means VA resources are relatively accessible from anywhere in the state.
Can I get a hotel voucher in Rhode Island without ID?
Many Rhode Island programs serve people without identification. Crossroads Rhode Island and Amos House are both low-barrier and do not require ID for initial emergency assistance. Do not let lack of ID prevent you from calling 211 or Crossroads.
What is RIte Care?
RIte Care is Rhode Island’s name for its Medicaid program — free healthcare for low-income residents. Apply at dhs.ri.gov or call 401-462-5300. RIte Care covers medical, dental, mental health, and substance use treatment services — all critical for housing stability.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Rhode Island?
Most Rhode Island emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions depending on program funding and your progress toward permanent housing. Use your stay to call Crossroads Rhode Island and enter the statewide coordinated entry system — Rhode Island’s small size means housing resources can sometimes move faster than in larger states.