South Carolina has over 4,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, spread across a state where tourism-driven coastal economies have pushed housing costs far beyond what low-income residents can afford. Charleston and the Grand Strand (Myrtle Beach area) face acute housing instability driven by the service industry workforce. Columbia, the state capital, has the most developed homeless services infrastructure. Greenville, Spartanburg, and rural counties in the Pee Dee region and Lowcountry each face distinct challenges.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in South Carolina tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in South Carolina tonight? Call 211 immediately — South Carolina 211 is available 24 hours across all 46 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 South Carolina
South Carolina does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) — state-level social services through county offices
- County DSS offices — South Carolina’s county-level welfare offices, one in every county
- Community Action Agencies — South Carolina’s CAA network covers all 46 counties
- Continuums of Care — South Carolina has multiple CoC regions
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
County DSS offices administer the Family Independence (TANF) program and emergency funds that can sometimes authorize hotel placements for families in acute crisis. South Carolina’s hospitality economy also means that extended-stay motels are common in coastal areas — many nonprofits use this market for emergency placements.
Always call 211 first.
South Carolina State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS)
DSS administers emergency assistance programs through county offices statewide. The Family Independence Program (TANF) and Emergency Assistance Program can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families with children in crisis.
DSS contact: 1-800-311-7220 Website: dss.sc.gov
South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing)
SC Housing distributes federal ESG funds and state housing resources to local organizations providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance statewide.
SC Housing contact: 803-896-9001 Website: schousing.com
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in South Carolina by Region
Columbia and Midlands (Richland, Lexington, Kershaw counties)
Columbia has the largest and most organized homeless services system in South Carolina.
Midlands Area Consortium for the Homeless (MACH) / Columbia CoC Lead CoC coordinator for the Columbia metro area.
- Phone: 803-733-5470
- Website: machsc.org
Salvation Army of Columbia Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 803-254-8090
- Address: 3024 Farrow Rd, Columbia, SC 29203
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Catholic Charities of South Carolina (Columbia) Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 803-254-6521
- Website: catholiccharitiessc.org
Transitions Homeless Center Comprehensive homeless services including emergency shelter and housing placement in Columbia.
- Phone: 803-726-2505
- Website: transitionshomelesscenter.org
- Intake: Daily — call for current hours
Oliver Gospel Mission (men) Emergency shelter and housing for men in Columbia.
- Phone: 803-779-4840
- Website: olivergospelmission.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Richland County DSS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 803-898-7601
Charleston and the Lowcountry (Charleston, Dorchester, Berkeley counties)
Charleston’s booming tourism and tech economy has created severe housing affordability challenges for low-income residents.
Lowcountry CoC / Homeless No More Lead CoC partner for the Charleston area.
- Phone: 843-805-6500
- Website: homelessnomore.org
Salvation Army of Charleston Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 843-747-1688
- Address: 3695 Meetze Rd, Hollywood, SC 29449
Catholic Charities of South Carolina (Charleston) Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 843-723-2948
Crisis Ministries (Charleston) Comprehensive homeless services including emergency shelter and housing placement.
- Phone: 843-723-9477
- Website: crisisministries.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Charleston County DSS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 843-202-7850
Greenville and Upstate (Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson counties)
Upstate CoC / United Housing Connections Lead CoC and primary housing placement organization for Upstate South Carolina.
- Phone: 864-467-3396
- Website: unitedhousingconnections.org
Salvation Army of Greenville Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 864-235-4803
- Address: 511 Rutherford St, Greenville, SC 29609
Catholic Charities Greenville Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 864-242-2608
Miracle Hill Ministries (men, women, families) Comprehensive homeless services including emergency shelter across Upstate South Carolina.
- Phone: 864-232-7336
- Website: miraclehill.org
- Intake: Call for current hours and availability
Greenville County DSS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 864-467-7900
Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand (Horry County)
The Grand Strand is a resort economy with significant seasonal workforce homelessness — particularly after tourist season when service industry jobs disappear.
Horry County CoC / Helping Hands of Myrtle Beach Coordinates homeless services in Horry County.
- Phone: 843-839-0999
- Website: helpinghandsmb.com
Salvation Army Myrtle Beach Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 843-448-1545
- Address: 9th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Horry County DSS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 843-915-8950
Florence and the Pee Dee Region
Pee Dee CoC / United Way of Florence County Coordinates homeless services in the Pee Dee region.
- Phone: 843-662-2313
Salvation Army Florence Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 843-662-5585
Florence County DSS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 843-661-4850
Rural South Carolina
South Carolina’s rural counties — particularly in the Pee Dee, Lowcountry, and Savannah Valley regions — have very limited formal hotel voucher programs. Primary resources:
- Your county DSS office — every South Carolina county has one; find at dss.sc.gov
- Community Action Agencies — call 211 for your nearest CAA
- Local churches — primary emergency resource in rural South Carolina
- 211 — always call first even in rural areas
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in South Carolina
| Priority Group | South Carolina-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; DSS Family Independence can authorize placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | SC DV Hotline: 1-800-260-9293 |
| Veterans | VA resources in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county programs |
| Seasonal/tourism workers | Grand Strand programs aware of seasonal homelessness |
| Youth ages 18–24 | City-specific programs — ask 211 |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| Rural Lowcountry residents | County DSS and local churches primary resources |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in South Carolina — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 46 South Carolina counties.
Step 2: If you are in Columbia, call Transitions Homeless Center at 803-726-2505 or the Salvation Army at 803-254-8090.
Step 3: If you are in Charleston, call Crisis Ministries at 843-723-9477 (24 hours) or Homeless No More at 843-805-6500.
Step 4: If you are in Greenville, call United Housing Connections at 864-467-3396 or Miracle Hill at 864-232-7336.
Step 5: If you are in Myrtle Beach, call Helping Hands at 843-839-0999 or the Salvation Army at 843-448-1545.
Step 6: Contact your county DSS office and ask about emergency hotel assistance through Family Independence.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your South Carolina Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for South Carolina SNAP at dss.sc.gov or call 1-800-311-7220. 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 dss.sc.gov for South Carolina Medicaid — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry: In Columbia, call MACH at 803-733-5470. In Charleston, call Homeless No More. 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. Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville all have active programs. See our emergency rental assistance guide as another immediate option.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local South Carolina PHA. Columbia Housing Authority: 803-254-3886. South Carolina PHAs have long waitlists — apply now and to multiple PHAs. 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 South Carolina?
Call 211 from anywhere in South Carolina — available 24 hours across all 46 counties. In Columbia, call Transitions Homeless Center at 803-726-2505 or the Salvation Army at 803-254-8090. In Charleston, call Crisis Ministries at 843-723-9477. In Greenville, call United Housing Connections at 864-467-3396. Your county DSS office is also a key resource.
Does South Carolina have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. South 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 Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville — rural counties have fewer options. Call 211 for what is available in your specific county.
Are there hotel vouchers for seasonal workers in the Myrtle Beach area?
Yes. Horry County has programs that specifically understand the seasonal nature of Grand Strand homelessness, where service industry workers lose jobs and housing after tourist season. Helping Hands of Myrtle Beach at 843-839-0999 is the primary contact. Call 211 and specify you are in Horry County for the most current referrals.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in South Carolina?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. County DSS offices can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements through the Family Independence program for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. Transitions Homeless Center in Columbia and Crisis Ministries in Charleston both serve families.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in South Carolina?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. South Carolina has VA resources in Columbia (Dorn VA Medical Center), Charleston (Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center), and Greenville (Greenville VA CBOC) with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What if I am homeless in rural South Carolina?
Rural South Carolina — particularly in the Pee Dee, Lowcountry, and Savannah Valley — has limited formal hotel voucher programs. Contact your county DSS office and ask about emergency housing assistance. Local churches are often the primary emergency resource in rural communities. Call 211 — operators know resources that are not publicly listed.
Can I get a hotel voucher in South Carolina without ID?
Many South Carolina programs serve people without identification. Crisis Ministries in Charleston and Oliver Gospel Mission in Columbia operate low-barrier programs. Do not let lack of ID stop you from calling 211. Free South Carolina ID programs are available through SCDMV — ask 211 for ID assistance resources in your county.
How long do hotel vouchers last in South Carolina?
Most South Carolina emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions while longer-term housing is arranged. Columbia and Charleston programs sometimes offer longer placements for families. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter coordinated entry immediately.