Connecticut has approximately 4,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in one of the wealthiest states in the country — a stark illustration of how high housing costs and concentrated poverty coexist. Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport have significant urban homeless populations, while Waterbury, Stamford, and New London also have active service systems. Connecticut has made significant investments in homeless services and operates one of the most coordinated state-level responses in New England, including a By-Name List system that tracks every person experiencing homelessness statewide.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in Connecticut tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in Connecticut tonight? Call 211 immediately — Connecticut 211 is available 24 hours across all 8 counties. Tell the operator your city or town and that you need emergency hotel or motel assistance. Veterans call 877-424-3838.
How Emergency Hotel Vouchers Work in Connecticut
Connecticut does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program, but it has a more centralized approach than most states. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered through:
- Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) — state-level social services
- Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) — coordinates homelessness programs statewide
- Community Action Agencies — a statewide CAA network covering all regions
- Continuums of Care — Connecticut has multiple CoC regions
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Connecticut DSS administers Temporary Family Assistance (TFA) — the state’s TANF program — and State Administered General Assistance (SAGA), which can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements. Connecticut also has a Coordinated Access Network (CAN) system that is the primary coordinated entry gateway for homeless services statewide.
Always call 211 first. Connecticut 211 is particularly robust and is the official entry point for the statewide CAN system.
Connecticut State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS)
DSS administers emergency assistance programs statewide including TFA (TANF), SAGA (General Assistance), and the Connecticut Home Heating Fuel Assistance Program. In crisis situations, DSS can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families and individuals.
DSS contact: 1-855-626-6632 Website: portal.ct.gov/dss
Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH)
DOH coordinates Connecticut’s statewide homelessness response and distributes federal ESG funds and state housing resources to local CoCs and nonprofits.
DOH contact: 860-270-8000 Website: portal.ct.gov/doh
Connecticut’s Coordinated Access Network (CAN)
CAN is Connecticut’s statewide coordinated entry system for homeless services. Calling 211 connects you directly to CAN — the gateway to emergency shelter, hotel placements, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing statewide.
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Connecticut by Region
Hartford and Greater Hartford (Hartford County)
Hartford has Connecticut’s largest homeless population and most developed emergency services network.
Hartford CoC / Journey Home Lead CoC coordinator for Greater Hartford.
- Phone: 860-578-2806
- Website: journeyhomect.org
Salvation Army of Hartford Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 860-522-9311
- Address: 350 Sheldon St, Hartford, CT 06106
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 860-548-2000
- Website: ccaoh.org
South Park Inn Emergency shelter and housing services in Hartford.
- Phone: 860-724-0707
- Website: southparkinn.org
- Intake: 24 hours
My Sisters’ Place (women) Emergency shelter and housing for women in Hartford.
- Phone: 860-527-0122
- Website: mysistersplacect.org
McKinney Shelter Emergency shelter for men in Hartford.
- Phone: 860-722-6848
Hartford DSS office Emergency assistance through TFA, SAGA, and emergency housing funds.
- Phone: 860-297-3100
New Haven and Greater New Haven (New Haven County)
New Haven CoC / Columbus House Lead CoC partner and primary shelter in New Haven.
- Phone: 203-401-4400
- Website: columbushouse.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Salvation Army of New Haven Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 203-624-3421
- Address: 301 George St, New Haven, CT 06511
Catholic Charities Diocese of Hartford (New Haven office) Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 203-787-2207
SARAH Inc. Emergency housing and services for people experiencing homelessness in the New Haven area.
- Phone: 203-468-4228
- Website: sarah-inc.org
New Haven DSS office County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 203-974-2100
Bridgeport and Fairfield County
Fairfield County CoC / Inspirica Lead CoC partner for Fairfield County.
- Phone: 203-388-1869
- Website: inspirica.org
Salvation Army Bridgeport Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 203-334-5671
- Address: 37 Elm St, Bridgeport, CT 06604
Person-to-Person (Greenwich/Darien) Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers for Fairfield County residents.
- Phone: 203-622-3940
- Website: p2pct.org
Bridgeport DSS office Emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 203-551-2700
Waterbury and Northwest Connecticut (Litchfield County)
Waterbury CoC / Brass City Harvest Coordinates homeless services in the Waterbury area.
- Phone: 203-754-1049
Salvation Army Waterbury Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 203-754-1177
- Address: 60 Holmes Ave, Waterbury, CT 06710
Waterbury DSS office Emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 203-578-2700
New London and Eastern Connecticut (New London, Windham counties)
Eastern CT CoC / Reliance House Lead CoC partner for Eastern Connecticut.
- Phone: 860-447-0366
- Website: reliancehouse.org
Salvation Army New London Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 860-442-3741
Community Residences (Windham County) Emergency housing assistance for Windham County residents.
- Phone: 860-456-1085
New London DSS office Emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 860-437-3400
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Connecticut
| Priority Group | Connecticut-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority; CAN system tracks all unsheltered |
| Families with children | Top priority; TFA and emergency funds for families |
| Domestic violence survivors | CT DV Hotline: 1-888-774-2900 |
| Veterans | Strong VA resources in West Haven, Newington, Errera |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority across most programs |
| Youth ages 18–24 | City-specific youth programs — ask 211 |
| LGBTQ+ individuals | Several CT programs explicitly affirming — ask 211 |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| People with mental illness | SAGA covers many single adults; Housing First model |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Connecticut — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours statewide. Connecticut 211 directly accesses the CAN system — the single most important call you can make.
Step 2: If you are in Hartford, call South Park Inn at 860-724-0707 (24 hours) or the Salvation Army at 860-522-9311.
Step 3: If you are in New Haven, call Columbus House at 203-401-4400 (24 hours) or the Salvation Army at 203-624-3421.
Step 4: If you are in Bridgeport, call Inspirica at 203-388-1869 or the Salvation Army at 203-334-5671.
Step 5: Contact your local DSS office and ask about TFA or SAGA emergency hotel assistance.
Step 6: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your Connecticut Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Connecticut SNAP at ct.gov/dss or call 1-855-626-6632. With zero income you qualify for the maximum food stamp benefit and expedited 7-day processing.
Apply for HUSKY Health (Medicaid): Apply at accesshealthct.com for HUSKY Health — Connecticut’s Medicaid program — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry through CAN: Call 211 on Day 1. Connecticut’s CAN system is your pathway to rapid rehousing and permanent housing. If you are unsure which program fits your situation, knowing what housing assistance options exist before your CAN assessment helps you have a more productive conversation with your case manager.
Pursue rental assistance: Ask 211 about emergency rental assistance in your area. Connecticut has had active programs in most counties — availability changes with state and federal funding cycles, so ask early.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Connecticut housing authority. Hartford Housing Authority: 860-723-8400. Connecticut housing authorities have long waitlists — apply now and explore other housing voucher programs simultaneously. Understanding how the Section 8 process works will help you stay compliant and active on the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Connecticut?
Call 211 from anywhere in Connecticut — available 24 hours. Connecticut 211 connects you directly to the statewide CAN coordinated entry system. In Hartford, call South Park Inn at 860-724-0707. In New Haven, call Columbus House at 203-401-4400. In Bridgeport, call Inspirica at 203-388-1869. Your local DSS office is also a key resource through TFA and SAGA.
What is Connecticut’s Coordinated Access Network (CAN)?
CAN is Connecticut’s statewide coordinated entry system for homeless services. When you call 211, you are connected to CAN — a centralized intake that assesses your needs and matches you to available shelter, hotel placements, rapid rehousing, and permanent housing programs. Being in CAN is essential in Connecticut; most programs require a CAN referral. Call 211 immediately to get into the system.
What is Connecticut’s SAGA program?
SAGA — State Administered General Assistance — is Connecticut’s general public assistance program for low-income adults who do not qualify for federal programs. In housing crisis situations, SAGA can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for eligible individuals. Contact your local DSS office at portal.ct.gov/dss and ask specifically about SAGA emergency housing assistance.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Connecticut?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. DSS can authorize emergency hotel placements through TFA for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children — CAN has family-specific pathways. My Sisters’ Place in Hartford serves women and families, and Columbus House in New Haven serves families. Families may also qualify for rental assistance programs once placed.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Connecticut?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Connecticut has VA resources at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System in West Haven, the Newington campus, and the Errera Community Care Center in West Haven — all with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What is HUSKY Health?
HUSKY Health is Connecticut’s name for its Medicaid program — free healthcare for low-income residents. Apply at accesshealthct.com or call 1-855-805-4325. HUSKY covers medical, dental, mental health, and substance use treatment. Connecticut has broad Medicaid eligibility and HUSKY is often easier to qualify for than people expect.
Does Connecticut have a right to shelter?
Connecticut does not have a legal right to shelter equivalent to Massachusetts, but it has made significant policy commitments to ensuring no one sleeps outside when shelter is available. The CAN system tracks every unsheltered person by name, and outreach teams actively connect people to services. Call 211 immediately if you are unsheltered — Connecticut’s system is designed to respond.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Connecticut?
Most Connecticut emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions. Connecticut’s CAN system is designed to move people quickly from emergency placement into more stable housing — the system tracks your progress and follows up. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and stay engaged with the CAN process.