North Carolina has over 10,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, spread across a rapidly growing state where housing costs in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Asheville have surged far beyond what low-income residents can afford. The state’s rural counties — particularly in the western mountains and eastern coastal plain — often have the fewest services and greatest need. Emergency hotel and motel voucher programs exist across North Carolina through a mix of county social services, nonprofits, and Continuums of Care.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel assistance anywhere in North Carolina tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in North Carolina tonight? Call 211 immediately — North Carolina 211 is available 24 hours across all 100 counties. Tell the operator your city or county and that you need emergency hotel or motel assistance. Veterans call 877-424-3838.
How Emergency Hotel Vouchers Work in North Carolina
North Carolina does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) — county-level social services
- County Departments of Social Services (DSS) — North Carolina’s county-level welfare offices
- Community Action Agencies — a statewide CAA network covering all 100 counties
- Continuums of Care — North Carolina has multiple CoC regions
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
North Carolina’s county DSS offices are the primary government gateway to emergency housing assistance. Every county has one, and they administer the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) and Work First Family Assistance (TANF) funds that can cover emergency hotel placements in some situations.
Always call 211 first.
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in North Carolina by Region
Charlotte and Mecklenburg County
Charlotte is North Carolina’s largest city and has the most developed homeless services infrastructure in the state.
Mecklenburg County CoC / Charlotte-Mecklenburg Coalition for Housing Lead CoC coordinator for the Charlotte metro area.
- Phone: 704-336-3400
- Website: cmcharlotte.org
Crisis Assistance Ministry One of Charlotte’s primary emergency assistance providers, offering hotel vouchers, utility help, and emergency financial assistance.
- Phone: 704-371-3001
- Address: 500 Spratt St, Charlotte, NC 28206
- Website: crisisassistance.org
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Who they serve: Charlotte and Mecklenburg County residents facing housing crisis
Salvation Army of Charlotte Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 704-332-2089
- Address: 534 Spratt St, Charlotte, NC 28206
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 704-370-3270
- Website: ccdoc.org
Urban Ministry Center Day services and housing assistance for people experiencing homelessness in Charlotte.
- Phone: 704-347-0278
- Website: urbanministrycenter.org
Mecklenburg County DSS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 704-336-3000
Raleigh, Durham and the Research Triangle (Wake, Durham, Orange counties)
Triangle Continuum of Care / Housing for New Hope Lead CoC partner and primary homeless services provider in the Raleigh area.
- Phone: 919-838-1948
- Website: housingnewhopeorg.org
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle / Haven House (emergency referrals)
- Phone: 919-250-0043
Salvation Army of Raleigh Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 919-834-6733
- Address: 1516 Capital Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604
Catholic Charities Diocese of Raleigh Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 919-832-0225
- Website: catholiccharitiesraleigh.org
Durham County DSS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 919-560-8000
IFC (Inter-Faith Council) Community House (Chapel Hill/Orange County) Emergency shelter and housing services in Orange County.
- Phone: 919-929-6380
- Website: ifcweb.org
Greensboro and the Piedmont Triad (Guilford, Forsyth, Alamance counties)
Greensboro Urban Ministry Comprehensive emergency assistance and shelter services in Greensboro.
- Phone: 336-271-5959
- Website: greensborourbanministry.org
Salvation Army of Greensboro Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 336-272-7208
- Address: 2302 W Meadowview Rd, Greensboro, NC 27407
Winston-Salem Rescue Mission (men) Emergency shelter and housing for men in Winston-Salem.
- Phone: 336-723-1848
- Website: wsrescuemission.org
Salvation Army Winston-Salem Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 336-723-1848
Family Services (Forsyth County) Emergency housing assistance and crisis services.
- Phone: 336-722-8173
- Website: familyservicesfs.org
Asheville and Western North Carolina
Homeward Bound of WNC Lead CoC partner and primary homeless services provider in Buncombe County.
- Phone: 828-258-1695
- Website: homewardboundwnc.org
- Services: Emergency hotel vouchers, rapid rehousing, coordinated entry for Western NC
Salvation Army Asheville Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 828-254-4571
- Address: 204 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
Western Carolina Rescue Ministries Emergency shelter and housing services in Asheville.
- Phone: 828-253-5765
- Website: westerncarolinarescue.org
Buncombe County DSS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 828-250-5500
Fayetteville and Coastal Plain (Cumberland, Robeson, Wayne counties)
Cape Fear Valley CoC / Fayetteville Urban Ministry Coordinates homeless services in the Fayetteville area.
- Phone: 910-483-5944
- Website: fayettevilleurbanministry.org
Salvation Army Fayetteville Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 910-483-3119
Cumberland County DSS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 910-323-1540
Wilmington and Cape Fear Region
Good Shepherd Center (Wilmington) Comprehensive homeless services in Wilmington and New Hanover County.
- Phone: 910-763-4424
- Website: goodshepherdnc.org
Salvation Army Wilmington Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 910-762-2252
Rural North Carolina
North Carolina’s rural counties — particularly in the east (Robeson, Bladen, Columbus) and far west (Cherokee, Clay, Graham) — have very limited formal hotel voucher programs. Primary resources:
- Your county DSS office — every North Carolina county has one; find at ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services
- Community Action Agencies — call 211 for your nearest CAA
- Local churches — primary emergency resource in rural areas
- 211 — always call first
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in North Carolina
| Priority Group | North Carolina-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; county DSS Work First can authorize placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | NC DV Hotline: 1-888-232-9124 |
| Veterans | VA resources in Durham, Fayetteville, Asheville, Salisbury |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county programs |
| Youth ages 18–24 | City-specific youth programs — ask 211 |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| Rural residents | County DSS and local churches are primary resources |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in North Carolina — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 100 North Carolina counties.
Step 2: If you are in Charlotte, call Crisis Assistance Ministry at 704-371-3001 or the Salvation Army at 704-332-2089.
Step 3: If you are in Raleigh/Durham, call Housing for New Hope at 919-838-1948.
Step 4: If you are in Greensboro, call Greensboro Urban Ministry at 336-271-5959.
Step 5: If you are in Asheville, call Homeward Bound of WNC at 828-258-1695.
Step 6: Contact your county DSS office and ask about the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) for emergency hotel assistance.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your North Carolina Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for North Carolina SNAP at epass.nc.gov or call 1-800-662-7030. With zero income you qualify for maximum benefits and expedited 7-day processing. See our food assistance guide for details.
Apply for Medicaid: Apply at epass.nc.gov for NC Medicaid — covers healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry: Call 211 or your local CoC lead agency. Being in coordinated entry is your pathway to rapid rehousing and permanent housing. See our housing assistance guide for all your options.
Apply for rapid rehousing: Ask 211 specifically for rapid rehousing referrals. Charlotte, Raleigh, and Asheville all have active programs. See our emergency rental assistance guide for another immediate option.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local North Carolina PHA. Charlotte Housing Authority: 704-336-5183. NC PHAs have long waitlists — apply now to multiple PHAs simultaneously. 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 North Carolina?
Call 211 from anywhere in North Carolina — available 24 hours across all 100 counties. In Charlotte, call Crisis Assistance Ministry at 704-371-3001. In Raleigh, call Housing for New Hope at 919-838-1948. In Asheville, call Homeward Bound of WNC at 828-258-1695. Your county DSS office is also a key resource through the Crisis Intervention Program.
What is North Carolina’s Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)?
CIP is a state-funded emergency assistance program administered through county DSS offices. It can provide one-time emergency funds for utility bills and housing costs — including emergency hotel placements in acute crisis situations. Contact your county DSS office and ask specifically about CIP for emergency hotel assistance. Find your local DSS at ncdhhs.gov.
Does North Carolina have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. North Carolina does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered locally through county DSS offices, Community Action Agencies, CoCs, and nonprofits. Resources are most available in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and Asheville — rural counties have significantly fewer options. Call 211 for what is available in your specific county.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in North Carolina?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority across North Carolina’s programs. County DSS offices can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements through Work First Family Assistance (TANF) for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. Crisis Assistance Ministry in Charlotte specifically prioritizes families.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in North Carolina?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. North Carolina has VA resources in Durham (Durham VA Medical Center), Fayetteville (Fayetteville VA Medical Center), Asheville (Charles George VA Medical Center), and Salisbury (W.G. Hefner VA Medical Center) with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What if I am homeless in rural North Carolina?
Rural North Carolina has limited formal hotel voucher programs. Contact your county DSS office and ask about the Crisis Intervention Program. Your local Community Action Agency (find through 211) is another key resource. Local churches — particularly in the Appalachian west and eastern coastal plain — are often the primary source of emergency hotel assistance in rural communities. Call 211 — operators know resources not publicly listed.
Can I get a hotel voucher in North Carolina without ID?
Many North Carolina programs serve people without identification. Do not let lack of ID prevent you from calling 211 or contacting your local DSS. North Carolina offers free ID programs through the NC DMV for low-income residents — ask 211 for ID assistance resources in your county.
How long do hotel vouchers last in North Carolina?
Most North Carolina emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions while longer-term housing is arranged. Charlotte and Raleigh programs sometimes offer longer placements for families. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter coordinated entry immediately — do not wait until your last night.