Arizona has one of the largest homeless populations in the American Southwest, with over 14,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night. Phoenix has a chronic unsheltered crisis driven by extreme heat — a dangerous combination that makes emergency housing placement a life-or-death matter during summer months. Tucson, Flagstaff, and rural Arizona counties each face distinct challenges, from high urban poverty to isolated tribal lands with minimal services.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in Arizona tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in Arizona tonight? Call 211 immediately — Arizona 211 is available 24 hours across all 15 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 Arizona
Arizona does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) — county-level social services
- Community Action Agencies — Arizona’s CAA network serves all 15 counties
- Continuums of Care — Arizona has several CoC regions; Maricopa County CoC is the largest
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Arizona summers are a medical emergency for unsheltered people. During excessive heat warnings — common June through September — the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County, and many nonprofits activate emergency cooling shelter programs that provide immediate indoor placement regardless of sobriety, ID, or other barriers. If you are outside during an excessive heat warning in the Phoenix metro, call 211 immediately.
Arizona State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES)
DES administers emergency assistance programs through local offices statewide. The Emergency Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families in crisis.
DES contact: 1-855-HEA-PLUS (1-855-432-7587) Website: des.az.gov
Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH)
ADOH administers federal ESG funds and state housing resources, distributing them to local organizations for emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance statewide.
ADOH contact: 602-771-1000 Website: housing.az.gov
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Arizona by Region
Phoenix and Maricopa County
Phoenix has the largest homeless population in Arizona and a well-developed emergency services infrastructure — particularly around heat emergency response.
Maricopa County Human Services CoC Lead CoC coordinator for Maricopa County.
- Phone: 602-506-5911
- Website: maricopa.gov/5765/Homeless-Services
Human Services Campus (HSC) — Central Phoenix The largest concentration of homeless services in Arizona, with multiple organizations on one campus serving 1,000+ people daily.
- Address: 1025 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85007
- Phone: 602-256-6945
- Website: hscphoenix.org
- Services: Emergency shelter referrals, meals, case management, ID assistance, benefits enrollment
- Hours: Daily — services begin early morning
CASS (Central Arizona Shelter Services) Emergency shelter and housing services at the Human Services Campus.
- Phone: 602-256-6945
- Intake: Daily — call for current hours and bed availability
Salvation Army of Phoenix Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 602-267-4100
- Address: 2707 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85008
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Catholic Charities Diocese of Phoenix Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 602-285-1999
- Website: catholiccharitiesaz.org
St. Vincent de Paul (Phoenix) Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers, meals, and clothing.
- Phone: 602-261-6861
- Website: svdpaz.org
Maricopa County Heat Relief Network During excessive heat warnings (May–October), Maricopa County activates a network of cooling centers and emergency shelters. Many provide hotel placements for people who cannot access standard shelters.
- Phone: 211 or 602-262-7771
- Website: maricopa.gov/heat
Arizona 2-1-1 Call 211 for real-time emergency housing referrals across Maricopa County, including current hotel voucher availability.
Tucson and Pima County
Pima County CoC / Primavera Foundation Lead CoC partner and primary housing services provider in Tucson.
- Phone: 520-623-5111
- Website: primavera.com
- Services: Emergency shelter referrals, rapid rehousing, street outreach
Gospel Rescue Mission Tucson (men) Emergency shelter and housing for men in Tucson.
- Phone: 520-882-7238
- Address: 715 S Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719
- Website: grm.org
- Intake: Daily — call for current hours
Salvation Army of Tucson Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 520-622-5411
- Address: 1002 N Main Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705
Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 520-623-0344
- Website: ccs-soaz.org
Pima County DES County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 520-798-1500
Flagstaff and Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona CoC / Catholic Charities Northern Arizona Lead CoC partner for Northern Arizona.
- Phone: 928-778-2531
- Website: catholiccharitiesaz.org
Flagstaff Shelter Services Emergency shelter and housing services in Flagstaff.
- Phone: 928-779-3173
- Website: flagstaffshelterservices.org
- Intake: Daily — call first
Salvation Army Flagstaff Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 928-774-4400
Coconino County Social Services County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 928-679-7400
Yuma and Southwest Arizona
Yuma CoC / Arizona Western College Region Coordinates homeless services in Yuma County.
Salvation Army Yuma Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 928-782-1115
Catholic Charities Yuma Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 928-783-0419
Rural Arizona and Tribal Lands
Rural Arizona — particularly on tribal lands — has very limited formal hotel voucher programs. Primary resources:
- Your county DES office — find at des.az.gov
- Tribal social services — members of the Navajo Nation, Tohono O’odham, and other tribal nations should contact their tribal social services department
- Local Community Action Agencies — call 211
- Local churches — primary emergency resource in rural Arizona communities
- 211 — always call first
Arizona Heat Emergency — Critical Information
This applies June through September in Maricopa, Pima, Yuma, and La Paz counties.
When the National Weather Service issues an Excessive Heat Warning, Arizona activates enhanced emergency homeless services:
- Cooling centers open across Phoenix, Tucson, and other cities — free, no barriers, 24 hours during warnings
- Additional emergency shelter beds are activated
- Hotel placements are prioritized for medically vulnerable people
- Outreach teams actively seek unsheltered individuals
If you are homeless outside during extreme heat in Arizona: Call 211 immediately. You do not need ID, sobriety, or a referral. Get inside — heat stroke can kill within hours.
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Arizona
| Priority Group | Arizona-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside in extreme heat | Medical emergency — immediate placement, no barriers |
| Families with children | Top priority; DES TANF can authorize emergency hotel |
| Domestic violence survivors | AZ DV Hotline: 1-800-782-6400 |
| Veterans | Strong VA resources in Phoenix and Tucson |
| Seniors (60+) | Heat-vulnerable; priority in Maricopa County programs |
| Youth ages 18–24 | Tumbleweed Center (Phoenix), Keys to Change (Tucson) |
| People with mental illness | Crisis Response Network in Maricopa: 602-222-9444 |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| Tribal members | Tribal social services are primary resource |
| Rural residents | County DES offices and local churches primary resources |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Arizona — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 15 Arizona counties.
Step 2: If you are in Phoenix, go to the Human Services Campus at 1025 W Washington St or call 602-256-6945.
Step 3: If you are in Tucson, call Primavera Foundation at 520-623-5111.
Step 4: If you are in Flagstaff, call Flagstaff Shelter Services at 928-779-3173.
Step 5: Contact the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities in your area.
Step 6: Contact your county DES office and ask about emergency hotel assistance.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
Step 8 (heat emergency): If it is an Excessive Heat Warning day, call 211 or go to the nearest cooling center — no barriers, no ID required.
What to Do During Your Arizona Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Arizona SNAP at healthearizonaplus.gov or call 1-855-432-7587. With zero income you qualify for maximum benefits and expedited 7-day processing. See our food assistance guide for full details.
Apply for AHCCCS (Medicaid): Apply at healthearizonaplus.gov. Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) is Arizona’s Medicaid — covers healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry: In Maricopa County, contact the Human Services Campus. In Pima County, call Primavera. Elsewhere, call 211. Being in coordinated entry is your pathway to rapid rehousing and permanent housing. See our housing assistance guide for all options.
Apply for rapid rehousing: Call 211 and ask for rapid rehousing referrals. Phoenix and Tucson have active programs. See our emergency rental assistance guide for another immediate option.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Arizona PHA. Phoenix Housing Department: 602-262-6794. Arizona PHAs have long waitlists — apply now. 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 Arizona?
Call 211 from anywhere in Arizona — available 24 hours across all 15 counties. In Phoenix, go to the Human Services Campus at 1025 W Washington St or call 602-256-6945. In Tucson, call Primavera Foundation at 520-623-5111. The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities in your area are also key resources.
Is there emergency shelter during Arizona heat waves?
Yes — and this is critical. During Excessive Heat Warnings, Arizona activates enhanced emergency housing with no barriers. Cooling centers, additional shelter beds, and hotel placements are available for vulnerable people. Call 211 immediately if you are outside during extreme heat. You do not need ID or a referral.
Does Arizona have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. Arizona does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered locally through county DES offices, Community Action Agencies, CoCs, and nonprofits. Resources are most available in Phoenix and Tucson. Call 211 for what is available in your specific county.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Arizona?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. County DES offices can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements through TANF for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. The Human Services Campus in Phoenix and Primavera in Tucson both prioritize families.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Arizona?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Arizona has VA resources in Phoenix (Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center), Tucson (Southern Arizona VA Health Care System), and Prescott (Bob Stump VA Medical Center) with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What about hotel vouchers on tribal lands in Arizona?
Tribal members should contact their tribal social services department first — the Navajo Nation, Tohono O’odham Nation, and other Arizona tribes have their own social services that may provide emergency housing assistance. Call 211 as well, but tribal social services are often the most direct route for tribal members.
Can I get a hotel voucher in Arizona without ID?
Many Arizona programs serve people without ID, particularly during heat emergencies. The Human Services Campus in Phoenix operates low-barrier programs. Do not let lack of ID stop you from calling 211. Arizona also has ID assistance programs — ask at the Human Services Campus or call 211 for help obtaining free identification.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Arizona?
Most Arizona emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions. During heat emergencies, placements may continue as long as the excessive heat warning is in effect. Use your stay to connect with a case manager and enter coordinated entry immediately — do not wait until your last night.