Sacramento has one of the highest per-capita homeless rates of any major California city — approximately 9,300 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in Sacramento County, a number that has grown steadily as housing costs have increased while wages for service and government workers have not kept pace. As the state capital, Sacramento sits at the intersection of California’s most ambitious homeless policy experiments and a street-level reality where tent cities have become fixtures along the American River Parkway, Northgate Boulevard, and downtown.
The city and county have invested heavily in interim housing — sanctioned encampments, cabin communities, and safe ground sites — as alternatives to traditional shelter. Understanding this landscape matters because Sacramento’s hotel and motel voucher system is embedded in a broader continuum that includes options many other cities don’t have.
This page covers emergency hotel and motel voucher resources specifically for the Sacramento metro — Sacramento County, including the cities of Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, Rancho Cordova, and Citrus Heights. For statewide California programs, see our California hotel vouchers for homeless page.
Need a hotel voucher in Sacramento tonight? Call 211 — available 24 hours in Sacramento County. Veterans call 877-424-3838. For walk-in services, the Volunteers of America Loaves & Fishes campus at 1321 N C St is the most comprehensive first stop.
Sacramento’s Homeless Services Landscape
Sacramento County operates a coordinated entry system called Sacramento Steps Forward, which serves as the lead CoC agency for the region. All pathways to housing assistance — emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, motel vouchers, and permanent supportive housing — flow through this centralized system.
Key funding sources for hotel and motel vouchers in Sacramento:
- Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance (DHA) — administers CalWORKs, General Assistance, and emergency housing funds
- City of Sacramento Department of Community Response — city-funded emergency housing assistance
- California Department of Housing and Community Development — state Homekey and HEAP funds flow through here
- Sacramento Steps Forward — CoC coordinator for ESG and rapid rehousing funds
- Nonprofits — primary day-to-day voucher sources
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Sacramento
Loaves & Fishes / Volunteers of America Sacramento Campus — Start Here
The Loaves & Fishes campus at 1321 N C St in Sacramento is the closest equivalent to Phoenix’s Human Services Campus — a multi-organization hub where you can access multiple services in one visit.
Loaves & Fishes Day services including meals, showers, mail, and emergency referrals for anyone experiencing homelessness.
- Phone: 916-446-0874
- Address: 1321 N C St, Sacramento, CA 95811
- Website: loavesandfishes.org
- Hours: Weekdays; call for current schedule
Volunteers of America Sacramento Emergency housing assistance including motel vouchers and rapid rehousing coordination.
- Phone: 916-643-2420
- Website: voa-ncnn.org
Salvation Army of Sacramento
Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 916-442-0331
- Address: 1200 N B St, Sacramento, CA 95811
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Catholic Charities of Sacramento
Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone regardless of faith.
- Phone: 916-733-0299
- Website: catholiccharitiesusa.org
- Who they serve: Individuals and families; strong case management programs
Sacramento Steps Forward — Coordinated Entry Access
The CoC lead agency — calling here or through 211 connects you to the coordinated entry assessment that determines priority for all housing resources.
- Phone: 916-498-1000
- Website: sacstepsforward.org
Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance (DHA)
Administers county emergency housing funds including General Assistance and CalWORKs emergency placements.
- Phone: 916-875-3600
- Website: dhss.saccounty.gov
California-Specific Programs That Apply in Sacramento
CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA)
California’s TANF program — CalWORKs — has a specific homeless assistance component that Sacramento County administers directly. CalWORKs HA can provide:
- Temporary homeless assistance: Up to 16 days of hotel or motel placement for families with children
- Permanent homeless assistance: Security deposit and up to two months of back rent
Who qualifies: Families with children receiving or applying for CalWORKs. Income must be at or below CalWORKs limits. How to apply: Call Sacramento County DHA at 916-875-3600 or apply at a local DHA office.
This is Sacramento’s fastest route to a hotel placement for eligible families — the state-funded component bypasses some of the capacity constraints on nonprofit voucher programs.
General Assistance (GA) — Sacramento County
For single adults without children who don’t qualify for CalWORKs, Sacramento County’s General Assistance program can sometimes authorize emergency hotel stays. GA in Sacramento provides up to $314/month for eligible adults — ask specifically about emergency hotel placement authorization when you apply.
Apply: Sacramento County DHA offices — bring ID, Social Security card, and proof of county residency if possible.
Homekey Sites and Safe Ground Programs
Sacramento has invested more heavily than most California cities in alternative interim housing. The city operates several safe ground sites — sanctioned outdoor sleeping areas with services — and cabin communities that serve as bridge housing between street homelessness and shelter.
While these aren’t hotel vouchers, they may be available faster than a motel placement during periods of high demand. Ask 211 specifically about current safe ground and cabin community availability.
Programs for Specific Populations in Sacramento
Families With Children
Wind Youth Services — homeless youth and young families in Sacramento
- Phone: 916-492-2591
- Website: windyouth.org
Sacramento Family Shelter (Salvation Army) — emergency shelter and motel vouchers specifically for families
- Phone: 916-442-0331 — ask for family services
WEAVE (Women Escaping a Violent Environment) — DV survivors with children
- Crisis line: 916-920-2952 (24 hours)
- Website: weaveinc.org
Veterans
Sacramento VA Medical Center — Homeless Programs
- Phone: 916-843-7000 → ask for Homeless Veterans Programs
- Address: 10535 Hospital Way, Mather, CA 95655
- HUD-VASH and SSVF: Available for eligible veterans — among the most robust veteran homeless programs in California
Veterans call 877-424-3838 to bypass general wait times and connect directly to VA homeless resources.
Youth (Ages 18–24)
Wind Youth Services at 916-492-2591 is Sacramento’s primary organization for young adults experiencing homelessness, including those aging out of foster care.
Covenant House California (Sacramento) — homeless youth services
- Phone: 916-340-0111
- Website: covenanthouseca.org
Seniors (60+)
Sacramento County Aging and Adult Services
- Phone: 916-874-9471
- Administers elder-specific emergency housing programs and connects seniors to Area Agency on Aging resources
The American River Parkway — Outreach Context
Sacramento’s largest unsheltered encampment has historically been along the American River Parkway, a 23-mile greenbelt running through the city. If you are currently staying along the Parkway:
Sacramento Loaves & Fishes outreach teams actively patrol this area on weekdays — you can approach them directly or call 916-446-0874 to arrange an outreach contact.
The City of Sacramento has conducted periodic enforcement sweeps along the Parkway. If you receive a notice to vacate, contact 211 immediately — displacement enforcement is typically paired with outreach and housing resources, but you need to actively engage to access them.
What to Do Once You Have a Placement
Apply for California SNAP (CalFresh) immediately at benefitscal.com or call 877-847-3663. With zero income you qualify for the maximum food assistance benefit — CalFresh provides more generous benefits than most states, and expedited processing delivers benefits within 3 days for households with little or no income.
Apply for Medi-Cal at the same portal. California has among the broadest Medicaid eligibility in the country — nearly all low-income adults qualify regardless of immigration status.
Enter Sacramento CoC coordinated entry through Sacramento Steps Forward at 916-498-1000 or via 211. This is your pathway to rapid rehousing and emergency rental assistance programs — engage on Day 1, not when your placement is about to end.
Apply for Section 8. Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA): 916-440-1390. The Sacramento waitlist is among the longest in California — also explore other housing voucher programs that may move faster in your situation. Understanding how the Section 8 voucher process works from the start prevents errors that get people removed from lists they waited years to reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Sacramento?
Call 211 first — available 24 hours in Sacramento County. Then contact the Volunteers of America at 916-643-2420 or the Salvation Army at 916-442-0331. For families with children, call Sacramento County DHA at 916-875-3600 and ask specifically about CalWORKs Homeless Assistance — this is California’s fastest route to a hotel placement for eligible families. Call before 10 AM when possible, as voucher funds are limited.
What is CalWORKs Homeless Assistance and how do I get it?
CalWORKs Homeless Assistance is a California-specific program administered by Sacramento County DHA that provides up to 16 days of hotel or motel placement for families with children who are receiving or applying for CalWORKs. It can also cover security deposits and up to two months of back rent. Call Sacramento County DHA at 916-875-3600 to apply — bring ID, proof of children, and any income documentation you have.
What is Sacramento Steps Forward?
Sacramento Steps Forward is the lead Continuum of Care agency for Sacramento County — it coordinates all emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing across the region. Calling 916-498-1000 or accessing through 211 connects you to the coordinated entry assessment that prioritizes you for all available housing resources. Getting into this system early is the single most important step toward longer-term housing.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Sacramento?
Yes. CalWORKs Homeless Assistance through Sacramento County DHA (916-875-3600) is the most direct route for eligible families. The Salvation Army’s family services (916-442-0331), Catholic Charities (916-733-0299), and Wind Youth Services for young families (916-492-2591) are additional options. Tell every organization you call that you have children — this affects your priority significantly.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Sacramento?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. The Sacramento VA Medical Center at 916-843-7000 has dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH vouchers and SSVF rapid rehousing. Sacramento’s VA homeless programs are among the stronger ones in California given the region’s large veteran population.
What are safe ground sites and how do I access one in Sacramento?
Safe ground sites are city-sanctioned outdoor sleeping areas with basic services — they’re not hotel vouchers, but may be available when motel placements are not. Call 211 and ask specifically about current safe ground site availability and intake process. Sacramento has invested more in this alternative housing model than most California cities, making it a realistic option during high-demand periods.
I’m in Elk Grove or Rancho Cordova — do I use Sacramento city services?
You are in Sacramento County, which means you access county-level services — Sacramento County DHA at 916-875-3600 and Sacramento Steps Forward at 916-498-1000 — rather than city of Sacramento programs specifically. Call 211 and give your specific city; operators will route you to the most appropriate resources. The Loaves & Fishes campus and Salvation Army serve the broader county.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Sacramento?
Most nonprofit motel placements in Sacramento last 1–7 nights. CalWORKs Homeless Assistance can authorize up to 16 days for eligible families, making it the longest placement available through a direct program. Enter coordinated entry on Day 1 through Sacramento Steps Forward and simultaneously apply for CalFresh and Medi-Cal — the more programs you’re enrolled in, the more stable your footing when the placement ends.