West Virginia has approximately 2,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in a state that faces some of the most acute economic challenges in the United States. The opioid crisis has driven significant housing instability across the state, and West Virginia’s homelessness is often hidden — people doubled up with family members or living in substandard housing rather than on the streets. Charleston and Huntington have the most developed homeless services, while rural counties — particularly in the southern coalfields and eastern Panhandle — have extremely limited formal resources.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in West Virginia tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in West Virginia tonight? Call 211 immediately — West Virginia 211 is available 24 hours across all 55 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 West Virginia
West Virginia does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) — state-level social services through county offices
- County DHHR offices — West Virginia’s county-level welfare access points
- Community Action Agencies — West Virginia’s CAA network covers all 55 counties
- Continuums of Care — West Virginia has multiple CoC regions
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
West Virginia’s county DHHR offices administer West Virginia Works — the state’s TANF program — and emergency funds that can sometimes authorize hotel placements for families in acute crisis. The opioid epidemic has shaped West Virginia’s homeless services system significantly — many programs have adapted to serve people with substance use disorders, and low-barrier programs are more common here than in many other states.
Always call 211 first.
West Virginia State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR)
DHHR administers emergency assistance programs through county offices statewide. West Virginia Works (TANF) and the Emergency Assistance Program can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families with children in crisis.
DHHR contact: 1-877-716-1212 Website: dhhr.wv.gov
West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF)
WVHDF distributes federal ESG funds and state housing resources to local organizations providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance statewide.
WVHDF contact: 304-345-6475 Website: wvhdf.com
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in West Virginia by Region
Charleston and Kanawha County
Charleston is West Virginia’s capital and largest city, with the most developed homeless services infrastructure in the state.
Kanawha County CoC / Covenant House of Charleston Lead CoC partner and primary homeless services provider in Charleston.
- Phone: 304-340-3694
- Website: covenanthousewv.org
- Intake: Call for current hours and program availability
Salvation Army of Charleston Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 304-342-7659
- Address: 1201 Virginia St E, Charleston, WV 25301
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Catholic Charities West Virginia (Charleston) Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 304-232-8884
- Website: catholiccharitieswv.org
YWCA of Charleston Emergency shelter and housing for women and families in Charleston.
- Phone: 304-340-3549
- Website: ywcacharleston.org
Kanawha County DHHR County emergency housing assistance through WV Works and Emergency Assistance.
- Phone: 304-558-3280
Huntington and the Tri-State Area (Cabell County)
Huntington has been significantly affected by the opioid crisis and has developed one of the more comprehensive low-barrier homeless service responses in the state.
Tri-State CoC / Prestera Center for Mental Health Lead CoC partner for the Huntington area, with a particular focus on behavioral health and housing.
- Phone: 304-525-7851
- Website: prestera.org
Salvation Army of Huntington Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 304-522-3223
- Address: 702 5th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701
Harmony House (DV survivors) Emergency housing for domestic violence survivors in the Huntington area.
- Phone: 304-522-3892 (24-hour crisis line)
Cabell County DHHR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 304-528-5500
Morgantown and North Central West Virginia (Monongalia County)
North Central WV CoC / Morgantown Area Restoration Ministries Coordinates homeless services in the Morgantown area.
Salvation Army Morgantown Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 304-292-5359
- Address: 1301 Chestnut St, Morgantown, WV 26505
Catholic Charities West Virginia (Morgantown) Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 304-296-5688
Monongalia County DHHR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 304-285-4000
Wheeling and Northern Panhandle (Ohio County)
Northern WV CoC / Wheeling Area Project on Homelessness Coordinates homeless services in the Northern Panhandle.
Salvation Army Wheeling Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 304-232-7873
- Address: 1013 Chapline St, Wheeling, WV 26003
Ohio County DHHR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 304-238-1100
Martinsburg and Eastern Panhandle (Berkeley County)
The Eastern Panhandle has seen significant population growth due to its proximity to the Washington DC metro area, driving up housing costs and increasing housing instability.
Eastern Panhandle CoC / Eastern WV Community Foundation Coordinates homeless services in the Eastern Panhandle.
- Phone: 304-267-2925
Salvation Army Martinsburg Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 304-263-3540
Hope Connections (Martinsburg) Emergency assistance and housing resources for Eastern Panhandle residents.
- Phone: 304-262-5671
Berkeley County DHHR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 304-263-8542
Southern Coalfields (McDowell, Mingo, Logan, Wyoming counties)
West Virginia’s southern coalfields are among the most economically distressed communities in the United States. McDowell County in particular has seen severe population decline and has almost no formal homeless services.
- Coalfield Community Action Partnership: 304-436-3131 — serves several southern WV counties
- Your county DHHR office — find at dhhr.wv.gov
- Local churches — primary and often only emergency resource in southern coalfield communities
- 211 — always call first
The Opioid Crisis and West Virginia Homeless Services
West Virginia has been among the states most severely affected by the opioid epidemic, and this has shaped its homeless services system in important ways:
- Many West Virginia programs explicitly serve people with active substance use disorders and do not require sobriety for emergency placement
- Huntington in particular has developed nationally recognized low-barrier approaches
- Harm reduction organizations often work alongside housing programs
- If you have been turned away from programs elsewhere due to substance use, West Virginia programs may be more accessible than you expect
If you or someone you know is experiencing both homelessness and substance use challenges, call 211 and specifically ask for low-barrier emergency housing options.
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in West Virginia
| Priority Group | West Virginia-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; WV Works and Emergency Assistance can authorize |
| Domestic violence survivors | WV DV Hotline: 1-800-352-6513 |
| Veterans | VA resources in Beckley, Clarksburg, Huntington, Martinsburg |
| People with substance use disorders | Low-barrier programs more common than in many states |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county programs |
| Eastern Panhandle residents | DC metro proximity drives costs — more resources than southern WV |
| Southern Coalfields residents | Very limited programs — churches often primary resource |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in West Virginia — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 55 West Virginia counties.
Step 2: If you are in Charleston, call Covenant House at 304-340-3694 or the Salvation Army at 304-342-7659.
Step 3: If you are in Huntington, call Prestera Center at 304-525-7851 or the Salvation Army at 304-522-3223.
Step 4: If you are in Morgantown, call the Salvation Army at 304-292-5359.
Step 5: If you are in Wheeling, call the Salvation Army at 304-232-7873.
Step 6: Contact your county DHHR office and ask about WV Works or Emergency Assistance hotel placement.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your West Virginia Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for West Virginia SNAP at dhhr.wv.gov or call 1-877-716-1212. With zero income you qualify for the maximum food assistance benefit and expedited 7-day processing.
Apply for West Virginia Medicaid: Apply at dhhr.wv.gov for WV Medicaid — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment including medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.
Enter coordinated entry: In Charleston, contact Covenant House. In Huntington, contact Prestera Center. Elsewhere, call 211. Coordinated entry is your pathway to rapid rehousing and permanent housing. Knowing what housing programs exist before your first case manager meeting helps you advocate for the right fit.
Pursue rental assistance: Ask 211 about emergency rental assistance in your county. Charleston and Morgantown have more active programs than southern counties — ask early in your stay.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local West Virginia PHA. Charleston-Kanawha Housing Authority: 304-348-6451. WV PHAs have waitlists — apply now and explore other housing voucher options that may move faster. Understanding how the voucher application process works helps you avoid common mistakes that can get you removed from the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in West Virginia?
Call 211 from anywhere in West Virginia — available 24 hours across all 55 counties. In Charleston, call Covenant House at 304-340-3694 or the Salvation Army at 304-342-7659. In Huntington, call Prestera Center at 304-525-7851. In Morgantown, call the Salvation Army at 304-292-5359. Your county DHHR office is also a key resource through WV Works and Emergency Assistance.
What is West Virginia Works?
West Virginia Works is the state’s TANF program, administered through county DHHR offices. In housing crisis situations, WV Works emergency funds can sometimes authorize hotel placements for families with children. Contact your county DHHR office at dhhr.wv.gov and ask specifically about WV Works emergency housing assistance.
Does West Virginia have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. West Virginia does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered locally through county DHHR offices, Community Action Agencies, CoCs, and nonprofits. Charleston and Huntington have the most resources — the southern coalfields have significantly fewer. Call 211 for what is available in your specific county.
Are there low-barrier hotel vouchers for people with substance use disorders in WV?
Yes — and this is important context for West Virginia. The opioid crisis has shaped the state’s homeless services, and many programs explicitly serve people with active substance use disorders without requiring sobriety. Huntington in particular has developed nationally recognized low-barrier approaches through Prestera Center and other organizations. Call 211 and specifically ask for low-barrier emergency housing options.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in West Virginia?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. County DHHR offices can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements through WV Works for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. YWCA Charleston serves women and families. Families who stabilize may also qualify for rental assistance programs to maintain housing stability.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in West Virginia?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. West Virginia has VA resources in Beckley (Beckley VA Medical Center), Clarksburg (Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center), Huntington (Huntington VA Medical Center), and Martinsburg (Martinsburg VA Medical Center) with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What if I am homeless in West Virginia’s southern coalfields?
The southern coalfields — McDowell, Mingo, Logan, Wyoming counties — are among the most economically distressed areas in the country with very limited formal hotel voucher programs. Coalfield Community Action Partnership at 304-436-3131 serves several of these counties. Local churches are often the only emergency resource available. Call 211 — operators know local resources not publicly listed.
How long do hotel vouchers last in West Virginia?
Most West Virginia emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions while longer-term housing is arranged. Charleston and Huntington programs sometimes offer longer placements for families or people with complex needs. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter coordinated entry immediately.