Indiana has over 5,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, with Indianapolis — the state’s only major urban center — accounting for the largest share. Unlike states with multiple large cities, Indiana’s homelessness challenge is concentrated: the Indianapolis metro area has significantly more resources than the rest of the state. Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend, and smaller cities all have local programs, but rural Indiana counties often rely almost entirely on faith-based organizations and Community Action Agencies.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in Indiana tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in Indiana tonight? Call 211 immediately — Indiana 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 Indiana
Indiana does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) — state-level social services
- County Division of Family Resources (DFR) offices — Indiana’s county-level welfare offices
- Community Action Agencies — Indiana’s CAA network covers all 92 counties
- Continuums of Care — Indiana has multiple CoC regions; the Indianapolis CoC is the largest
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Indiana’s county DFR offices are the primary government gateway to emergency housing assistance. Every Indiana county has a DFR office that administers Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families in crisis.
Always call 211 first.
Indiana State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA)
FSSA administers emergency assistance programs through county DFR offices statewide and distributes federal ESG funds to local organizations for emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance.
FSSA contact: 1-800-403-0864 Website: in.gov/fssa
Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA)
IHCDA administers state housing funds and ESG resources to local organizations providing emergency housing assistance statewide.
IHCDA contact: 317-232-7777 Website: ihcda.in.gov
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Indiana by Region
Indianapolis and Marion County
Indianapolis has the most comprehensive homeless services infrastructure in Indiana, anchored by a well-coordinated CoC.
Indianapolis CoC / Homeless Initiative Program (HIP) Lead CoC coordinator for Marion County.
- Phone: 317-630-0853
- Website: indyhip.org
Salvation Army of Indianapolis Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 317-637-5551
- Address: 540 N Alabama St, Indianapolis, IN 46204
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Catholic Charities Indianapolis Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 317-524-4380
- Website: archindy.org/cc
Horizon House Day services and emergency housing referrals for people experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis.
- Phone: 317-637-4673
- Website: horizonhouseindy.org
- Hours: Daily — call for current hours
Wheeler Mission (men and families) Emergency shelter and housing for men and families in Indianapolis.
- Phone: 317-635-3575
- Website: wheelermission.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Dayspring Center (families) Emergency family shelter in Indianapolis.
- Phone: 317-686-1300
- Website: dayspringcenter.org
- Who they serve: Families with children — prioritized
Marion County DFR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 317-634-6341
Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana (Allen County)
SCAN (Shelter for Abused and Neglected) — Fort Wayne CoC Coordinates homeless services in Allen County.
Rescue Mission of Fort Wayne Comprehensive homeless services for men, women, and families in Fort Wayne.
- Phone: 260-426-7357
- Address: 301 W Superior St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
- Website: rescuemissionfw.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Salvation Army Fort Wayne Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 260-744-4648
- Address: 347 E Washington Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 260-422-5diverse
- Website: ccfwsb.org
Allen County DFR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 260-449-3500
South Bend and North Central Indiana (St. Joseph County)
South Bend CoC / Center for the Homeless Lead CoC partner and primary shelter in South Bend.
- Phone: 574-288-4842
- Website: centerforthhomeless.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Salvation Army South Bend Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 574-232-3714
- Address: 229 S Lafayette Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601
St. Joseph County DFR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 574-235-9511
Evansville and Southwest Indiana (Vanderburgh County)
Evansville CoC / Southwestern Indiana Regional Council on Aging (SWIRCA) Coordinates homeless services in the Evansville area.
Evansville Rescue Mission Emergency shelter and housing services in Evansville.
- Phone: 812-421-3800
- Website: evansvillerescuemission.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Salvation Army Evansville Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 812-425-3662
- Address: 600 N 1st Ave, Evansville, IN 47710
Catholic Charities Diocese of Evansville Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 812-423-5456
Vanderburgh County DFR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 812-435-5900
Bloomington and South Central Indiana (Monroe County)
Shalom Community Center Day services and emergency housing referrals for people experiencing homelessness in Bloomington.
- Phone: 812-334-9056
- Website: shalomcommunitycenter.org
Salvation Army Bloomington Emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 812-339-3593
Monroe County DFR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 812-339-5000
Terre Haute and West Central Indiana (Vigo County)
Terre Haute Catholic Charities Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 812-232-1447
Salvation Army Terre Haute Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 812-232-4728
Vigo County DFR County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 812-238-1561
Rural Indiana
Rural Indiana counties have very limited formal hotel voucher programs. Primary resources:
- Your county DFR office — every Indiana county has one; find at in.gov/fssa
- Community Action Agencies — call 211 for your nearest CAA
- Local churches — primary emergency resource in rural Indiana communities
- 211 — always call first, even in rural areas
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Indiana
| Priority Group | Indiana-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; county DFR TANF can authorize placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | Indiana DV Hotline: 1-800-332-7385 |
| Veterans | VA resources in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, Marion |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county and nonprofit programs |
| Youth ages 18–24 | City-specific youth programs — ask 211 |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| Rural residents | County DFR and local churches are primary resources |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Indiana — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours statewide.
Step 2: If you are in Indianapolis, call Wheeler Mission at 317-635-3575 (24 hours) or the Salvation Army at 317-637-5551.
Step 3: If you are in Fort Wayne, call Rescue Mission of Fort Wayne at 260-426-7357 (24 hours).
Step 4: If you are in South Bend, call Center for the Homeless at 574-288-4842 (24 hours).
Step 5: If you are in Evansville, call Evansville Rescue Mission at 812-421-3800.
Step 6: Contact your county DFR 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 Indiana Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Indiana SNAP at fssabenefits.in.gov or call 1-800-403-0864. 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 fssabenefits.in.gov for Indiana Medicaid — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry: In Indianapolis, call HIP at 317-630-0853 or 211. In Fort Wayne, contact the Allen County CoC through 211. 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. Indianapolis and Fort Wayne have active programs. See our emergency rental assistance guide for another immediate option.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Indiana PHA. Indianapolis Housing Agency: 317-261-7000. Indiana 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 Indiana?
Call 211 from anywhere in Indiana — available 24 hours statewide. In Indianapolis, call Wheeler Mission at 317-635-3575 (24 hours) or the Salvation Army at 317-637-5551. In Fort Wayne, call Rescue Mission of Fort Wayne at 260-426-7357. In South Bend, call Center for the Homeless at 574-288-4842. Your county DFR office is also a key resource.
Does Indiana have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. Indiana does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered locally through county DFR offices, Community Action Agencies, CoCs, and nonprofits. Indianapolis has the most resources — rural counties have significantly fewer options. Call 211 for what is available in your specific county.
What is Indiana’s Division of Family Resources (DFR)?
Every Indiana county has a Division of Family Resources office that administers state and federal assistance programs including SNAP, Medicaid, and TANF. In a housing crisis, contact your county DFR office and ask about emergency hotel assistance through the TANF emergency funds. Find your local DFR office at in.gov/fssa.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Indiana?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. County DFR offices can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements through TANF for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. Dayspring Center in Indianapolis specifically serves families. Wheeler Mission and Rescue Mission of Fort Wayne also serve families.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Indiana?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Indiana has VA resources in Indianapolis (Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center), Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne VA), Evansville (Evansville VA CBOC), and Marion (Marion VA Medical Center) with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
Can I get a hotel voucher in Indiana without ID?
Many Indiana programs serve people without identification. Wheeler Mission in Indianapolis and Center for the Homeless in South Bend operate low-barrier programs. Do not let lack of ID prevent you from calling 211. Indiana offers free ID programs through the Indiana BMV — ask 211 for ID assistance resources in your county.
What if I am homeless in rural Indiana?
Rural Indiana counties have limited formal hotel voucher programs. Contact your county DFR office and ask about emergency housing assistance. Your local Community Action Agency (find through 211) is another key resource. Local churches are often the primary source of emergency hotel assistance in rural Indiana communities. Call 211 — operators know resources that are not publicly listed.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Indiana?
Most Indiana emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions while longer-term housing is arranged. Indianapolis programs sometimes offer longer placements for families with children. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter coordinated entry immediately — do not wait until your last night.