Alabama has over 3,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, with Birmingham and Huntsville accounting for the largest concentrations. Montgomery, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa have smaller but active homeless service systems, while rural Alabama — particularly the Black Belt counties in the center of the state — has some of the highest poverty rates in the nation and some of the fewest homeless services. Emergency hotel and motel voucher programs exist across Alabama, though resources are concentrated in urban areas.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in Alabama tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in Alabama tonight? Call 211 immediately — Alabama 211 is available 24 hours. 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 Alabama
Alabama does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) — state-level social services through county offices
- County DHR offices — Alabama’s county-level welfare offices, one in every county
- Community Action Agencies — Alabama’s CAA network covers all 67 counties
- Continuums of Care — Alabama has multiple CoC regions
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Alabama’s county DHR offices are the primary government gateway to emergency housing assistance. They administer TANF (Family Assistance) and emergency funds that can sometimes authorize hotel placements for families in acute crisis.
Always call 211 first.
Alabama State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR)
DHR administers emergency assistance programs through county offices statewide. The Family Assistance Program (TANF) and Emergency Assistance Program can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families with children in crisis.
DHR contact: 334-242-1310 Website: dhr.alabama.gov
Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA)
AHFA distributes federal ESG funds and state housing resources to local organizations providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance statewide.
AHFA contact: 334-244-9200 Website: ahfa.com
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Alabama by Region
Birmingham and Jefferson County
Birmingham has the largest homeless population in Alabama and the most developed emergency housing infrastructure.
Birmingham/Jefferson County CoC Lead CoC coordinator for the Birmingham metro area.
- Phone: 205-323-0260
Salvation Army of Birmingham Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 205-322-5427
- Address: 1000 N 16th St, Birmingham, AL 35234
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Catholic Social Services of Birmingham Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 205-324-6561
- Website: cssalabama.org
Pathways Comprehensive homeless services in Birmingham including emergency hotel placement assistance.
- Phone: 205-252-7406
- Website: pathwaysbirmingham.org
Jimmie Hale Mission (men) Emergency shelter and housing for men in Birmingham.
- Phone: 205-323-4463
- Website: jimmiehale.org
- Intake: 24 hours
WellHouse (women) Emergency shelter and housing for women in Birmingham.
- Phone: 205-202-4052
- Website: wellhouse.org
Jefferson County DHR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 205-252-1691
Montgomery and Central Alabama
Montgomery Area CoC / Family Promise of Greater Montgomery Coordinates homeless services in the Montgomery area.
- Phone: 334-270-0017
- Website: familypromisemontgomery.org
Salvation Army Montgomery Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 334-265-6296
- Address: 311 Coosa St, Montgomery, AL 36104
Catholic Social Services Montgomery Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 334-956-7890
Montgomery County DHR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 334-293-3100
Huntsville and North Alabama (Madison County)
Huntsville has grown rapidly due to aerospace and defense industry expansion, driving housing costs up and increasing housing instability.
Huntsville CoC / Huntsville Housing Authority Coordinates homeless services in Madison County.
- Phone: 256-532-3200
Salvation Army Huntsville Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 256-536-5414
- Address: 604 Meridian St N, Huntsville, AL 35801
Catholic Social Services Huntsville Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 256-536-0073
Madison County DHR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 256-532-3400
Mobile and South Alabama
Mobile CoC / Penelope House Lead CoC partner and primary shelter for women and families in Mobile.
- Phone: 251-473-4673
- Website: penelopehouse.org
Salvation Army Mobile Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 251-438-1625
- Address: 1009 Dauphin St, Mobile, AL 36604
Catholic Social Services Mobile Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 251-434-1550
Mobile County DHR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 251-450-1700
Tuscaloosa and West Central Alabama
Tuscaloosa CoC / The Salvation Army Tuscaloosa Coordinates homeless services in Tuscaloosa County.
Salvation Army Tuscaloosa Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 205-752-4600
- Address: 2320 University Blvd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Christ’s Table Emergency assistance and meals for people experiencing homelessness in Tuscaloosa.
- Phone: 205-752-8090
Tuscaloosa County DHR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 205-554-1700
The Black Belt and Rural Alabama
Alabama’s Black Belt counties — named for their dark, fertile soil — include some of the highest poverty rates in the United States. Wilcox, Lowndes, Perry, Greene, and surrounding counties have extremely limited formal homeless services.
- Your county DHR office — every Alabama county has one; find at dhr.alabama.gov
- Community Action Agencies — call 211 for your nearest CAA
- Local churches — the primary and often only emergency resource in rural Black Belt communities
- 211 — always call first even in rural areas
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Alabama
| Priority Group | Alabama-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; DHR TANF can authorize emergency placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | Alabama DV Hotline: 1-800-650-6522 |
| Veterans | VA resources in Birmingham, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Tuskegee |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county programs |
| Women | WellHouse (Birmingham), Penelope House (Mobile) |
| Youth ages 18–24 | City-specific youth programs — ask 211 |
| Black Belt residents | Local churches often primary or only resource |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Alabama — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours statewide.
Step 2: If you are in Birmingham, call Pathways at 205-252-7406 or the Salvation Army at 205-322-5427.
Step 3: If you are in Montgomery, call Family Promise at 334-270-0017 or the Salvation Army at 334-265-6296.
Step 4: If you are in Huntsville, call the Salvation Army at 256-536-5414.
Step 5: If you are in Mobile, call Penelope House at 251-473-4673 or the Salvation Army at 251-438-1625.
Step 6: Contact your county DHR office and ask about emergency hotel assistance through TANF.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your Alabama Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Alabama SNAP at myalhomestead.alabama.gov or call 334-242-1310. 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 myalhomestead.alabama.gov for Alabama Medicaid — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry: Call 211 or your local CoC. 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. Birmingham and Huntsville have active programs. See our emergency rental assistance guide as another immediate option.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Alabama PHA. Housing Authority of the Birmingham District: 205-521-0600. Alabama PHAs have long waitlists — apply now and 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 Alabama?
Call 211 from anywhere in Alabama — available 24 hours statewide. In Birmingham, call Pathways at 205-252-7406 or the Salvation Army at 205-322-5427. In Montgomery, call the Salvation Army at 334-265-6296. In Huntsville, call the Salvation Army at 256-536-5414. In Mobile, call Penelope House at 251-473-4673. Your county DHR office is also a key resource.
Does Alabama have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. Alabama does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered locally through county DHR offices, Community Action Agencies, CoCs, and nonprofits. Resources are most available in Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, and Mobile. Rural and Black Belt counties have significantly fewer options. Call 211 for what is available in your county.
What is Alabama’s DHR Emergency Assistance Program?
Alabama’s Department of Human Resources administers emergency assistance through county DHR offices. In housing crisis situations, county DHR can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements through TANF funds for families with children. Contact your county DHR office and ask specifically about emergency hotel or housing assistance. Find your local office at dhr.alabama.gov.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Alabama?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority across Alabama’s emergency housing programs. County DHR offices can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements through TANF for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. Family Promise of Greater Montgomery and Penelope House in Mobile both specifically serve families.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Alabama?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Alabama has VA resources in Birmingham (Birmingham VA Medical Center), Montgomery (Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System), Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center), and Tuskegee (Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System East Campus) with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What if I am homeless in Alabama’s Black Belt counties?
The Black Belt has some of the highest poverty rates and fewest formal homeless services in the country. Your county DHR office is your first contact, but emergency hotel funds through DHR can be very limited in rural counties. Local churches — particularly Baptist and Methodist congregations — are often the primary emergency resource in Black Belt communities. Call 211 even in rural areas.
Can I get a hotel voucher in Alabama without ID?
Many Alabama programs serve people without identification. Do not let lack of ID prevent you from calling 211. Alabama offers free ID programs through ALEA (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) for low-income residents — ask 211 or your county DHR office for ID assistance resources.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Alabama?
Most Alabama emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions while longer-term housing is arranged. Birmingham 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.