Delaware is the second smallest state in the country, but its homelessness challenge is proportionally significant. Approximately 1,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in a state where housing costs — particularly in the Wilmington suburbs and Sussex County beach communities — are among the highest in the mid-Atlantic region. Wilmington has the most concentrated homeless population and the most developed services. Dover and Sussex County have smaller but active systems. Delaware’s small size is actually an advantage for homeless services — the state operates a relatively centralized response through a single statewide Continuum of Care.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in Delaware tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in Delaware tonight? Call 211 immediately — Delaware 211 is available 24 hours across all 3 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 Delaware
Delaware does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program, but it has a more centralized approach than most states given its small size. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered through:
- Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) — state-level social services
- Division of Social Services (DSS) — Delaware’s welfare access points within DHSS
- Community Action Agencies — Delaware has two primary CAAs
- Delaware Statewide CoC — Delaware operates a single statewide Continuum of Care
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Delaware DSS administers Delaware Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and General Assistance, which can sometimes authorize hotel placements for families and individuals in acute crisis. Delaware’s single statewide CoC means that coordinated entry is relatively consistent across all three counties.
Always call 211 first.
Delaware State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) — Division of Social Services
DSS administers emergency assistance programs statewide. TANF and General Assistance can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for eligible households in crisis.
DSS contact: 1-800-372-2022 Website: dhss.delaware.gov/dss
Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA)
DSHA distributes federal ESG funds and state housing resources to local organizations providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance statewide.
DSHA contact: 302-739-4263 Website: destatehousing.com
Delaware Statewide Continuum of Care
Delaware operates a single statewide CoC — unlike most states with multiple regional CoCs. This means coordinated entry, housing placements, and homeless services are coordinated through one unified system. Calling 211 connects you to this statewide system.
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Delaware by Region
Wilmington and New Castle County
Wilmington has Delaware’s largest homeless population and the most comprehensive emergency services.
New Castle County CoC / Ministry of Caring Lead CoC partner and one of Wilmington’s most respected homeless service organizations.
- Phone: 302-652-5523
- Website: ministryofcaring.org
- Services: Emergency shelter, meals, and housing placement — multiple sites in Wilmington
Salvation Army of Wilmington Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 302-472-0750
- Address: 800 N Shipley St, Wilmington, DE 19801
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Catholic Charities Diocese of Wilmington Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 302-655-9624
- Website: ccwilm.org
Emmanuel Dining Room Day services and emergency housing referrals for people experiencing homelessness in Wilmington.
- Phone: 302-652-7751
- Website: emmanueldiningroom.org
Sojourners’ Place (women and families) Emergency shelter and transitional housing for women and families in Wilmington.
- Phone: 302-652-0225
- Website: sojournersplace.org
- Intake: Call for current hours
New Castle County DSS County emergency housing assistance through TANF and General Assistance.
- Phone: 302-255-9500
Dover and Kent County
Kent County CoC / Central Delaware CoC Coordinates homeless services in Kent County.
Salvation Army of Dover Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 302-734-9386
- Address: 30 N New St, Dover, DE 19904
Catholic Charities Dover Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 302-674-5900
Kentree Inc. Emergency housing and support services in Dover.
- Phone: 302-674-0600
Kent County DSS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 302-739-5300
Sussex County and Southern Delaware
Sussex County includes Delaware’s popular beach communities — Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, and Bethany Beach — where seasonal workforce homelessness mirrors patterns seen in other resort areas.
Sussex County CoC / People’s Place II Lead CoC partner for Sussex County.
- Phone: 302-856-9861
- Website: peoplesplace2.com
Salvation Army Georgetown (Sussex County) Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 302-856-6769
- Address: 309 N Race St, Georgetown, DE 19947
Community Housing of Sussex County Emergency housing assistance specifically for Sussex County residents.
- Phone: 302-855-1930
Sussex County DSS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 302-856-6310
Delaware’s Single Statewide CoC — What It Means for You
Delaware’s unified statewide CoC is a significant advantage compared to states with fragmented regional systems. It means:
- Coordinated entry works consistently across all three counties
- Housing resources can be matched statewide, not just locally
- A referral from one county can lead to placement in another county if resources are available
- 211 connects you to the same unified system regardless of where in Delaware you call
If you are homeless anywhere in Delaware, entering the statewide CoC through 211 is your most important step toward permanent housing.
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Delaware
| Priority Group | Delaware-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; TANF emergency funds can authorize placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | Delaware DV Hotline: 1-800-701-0456 |
| Veterans | VA resources in Wilmington |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most programs |
| Sussex County seasonal workers | People’s Place II understands resort economy dynamics |
| Youth ages 18–24 | City-specific programs — ask 211 |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| People with mental illness | Delaware has integrated behavioral health-housing programs |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Delaware — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 3 Delaware counties. Delaware 211 directly accesses the statewide CoC system.
Step 2: If you are in Wilmington/New Castle County, call Ministry of Caring at 302-652-5523 or the Salvation Army at 302-472-0750.
Step 3: If you are in Dover/Kent County, call the Salvation Army at 302-734-9386 or Kentree Inc. at 302-674-0600.
Step 4: If you are in Sussex County, call People’s Place II at 302-856-9861 or the Salvation Army Georgetown at 302-856-6769.
Step 5: Contact your county DSS office and ask about TANF or General Assistance emergency hotel placement.
Step 6: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your Delaware Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Delaware SNAP at assist.dhss.delaware.gov or call 1-800-372-2022. With zero income you qualify for the maximum food assistance benefit and expedited 7-day processing.
Apply for Medicaid: Apply at assist.dhss.delaware.gov for Delaware Medicaid — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter the statewide CoC: Call 211 on Day 1. Delaware’s unified CoC system matches you to available housing statewide, not just in your county. Understanding what housing programs are available to you before your coordinated entry assessment helps you have a productive conversation with your case manager.
Pursue rental assistance: Ask 211 about emergency rental assistance in your county. Wilmington and Dover have more active programs than Sussex County — ask early in your placement, not the day before checkout.
Apply for Section 8: Contact the Delaware State Housing Authority at 302-739-4263 or your local housing authority. Wilmington Housing Authority: 302-429-6700. Delaware has waitlists — apply now while also exploring other housing voucher programs. Knowing how Section 8 eligibility and placement work helps you prepare the right documentation from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Delaware?
Call 211 from anywhere in Delaware — available 24 hours across all 3 counties. In Wilmington, call Ministry of Caring at 302-652-5523 or the Salvation Army at 302-472-0750. In Dover, call the Salvation Army at 302-734-9386. In Sussex County, call People’s Place II at 302-856-9861. Your county DSS office is also a key resource through TANF and General Assistance.
Does Delaware have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. Delaware 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. However, Delaware’s unified statewide CoC means services are more coordinated than in most states. Call 211 to access this system directly.
What makes Delaware’s homeless services different from other states?
Delaware operates a single statewide Continuum of Care — unlike most states with multiple regional CoCs. This means your coordinated entry assessment is valid statewide, not just locally. If housing is available in Dover but you are in Wilmington, the unified system can potentially match you there. It also means policy and standards are more consistent across Delaware’s three counties than in larger fragmented states.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Delaware?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. DSS offices can authorize emergency hotel placements through TANF for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. Sojourners’ Place in Wilmington specifically serves women and families. Families may also qualify for rental assistance programs to move toward stable housing once placed.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Delaware?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Delaware’s primary VA facility is the Wilmington VA Medical Center, with community-based outpatient clinics in Dover and Georgetown. The Wilmington VA has dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
Are there hotel vouchers in Sussex County beach communities?
Yes. People’s Place II at 302-856-9861 is the primary resource for Sussex County, including the beach communities. Sussex County experiences seasonal workforce homelessness similar to other resort areas — People’s Place II understands this context. Community Housing of Sussex County at 302-855-1930 is another resource. Call 211 in Sussex County for the most current referrals.
What is Delaware General Assistance?
Delaware’s General Assistance program provides emergency funds to low-income individuals who do not qualify for other programs. Administered through county DSS offices, GA can sometimes cover emergency hotel placements for individuals in acute crisis. Contact your county DSS office at dhss.delaware.gov/dss and ask specifically about General Assistance emergency housing assistance.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Delaware?
Most Delaware emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions while longer-term housing is arranged. Delaware’s small size and unified CoC sometimes allow faster transitions to permanent housing than in larger states. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter the statewide CoC through 211 immediately.