Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and home to the majority of the state’s urban homeless population — approximately 1,200 people on any given night in Jefferson County. Louisville has invested significantly in its homeless services system over the past decade, including a well-developed rapid rehousing infrastructure and one of the more functional coordinated entry systems in the South. The city’s approach has shifted measurably toward Housing First, meaning lower-barrier access to services than you’d find in many comparable-sized cities.
The Ohio River forms Louisville’s northern boundary with Indiana, and Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana — including Jeffersonville and New Albany — form a functionally integrated metro. People experiencing homelessness cross the Sherman Minton and other bridges regularly, and some Indiana-side resources are accessible to people regardless of which side of the river they sleep on.
This page covers Louisville and Jefferson County, Kentucky. For statewide Kentucky programs, see our Kentucky hotel vouchers for homeless page.
Need a hotel voucher in Louisville tonight? Call 211 — available 24 hours in Jefferson County. Wayside Christian Mission at 502-584-3711 is the 24-hour anchor shelter. Veterans call 877-424-3838.
The Louisville CoC — How the System Is Organized
Louisville Metro Government funds and coordinates homeless services through the Coalition for the Homeless — the lead CoC agency for Jefferson County. The Coalition manages the coordinated entry system that matches people to all housing resources beyond emergency shelter.
Coalition for the Homeless
- Phone: 502-736-7655
- Website: louhomeless.org
- Role: CoC lead, coordinated entry coordinator, advocacy
All pathways to rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and housing vouchers run through the Coalition’s coordinated entry system. Call them directly or access through 211 to enter the assessment process.
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Louisville
Wayside Christian Mission — 24-Hour Anchor Shelter
Wayside is Louisville’s largest and most accessible emergency shelter — a 24-hour, low-barrier facility that serves as the primary entry point for people needing immediate help.
- Phone: 502-584-3711
- Address: 432 E Jefferson St, Louisville, KY 40202
- Website: waysidechristianmission.org
- Intake: 24 hours, 365 days
- Who they serve: Men, women, and families in separate facilities; includes a family shelter on-site
- Note: Wayside staff maintain real-time knowledge of motel voucher availability and can refer you directly
Salvation Army of Louisville
Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 502-585-4450
- Address: 911 S Brook St, Louisville, KY 40203
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Catholic Charities of Louisville
Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone regardless of faith.
- Phone: 502-637-9786
- Website: cclou.org
St. Vincent de Paul Louisville
Emergency assistance including motel vouchers and utility help.
- Phone: 502-637-9786
- Website: svdplou.org
Louisville Metro Government — Community Services
City-administered emergency housing assistance funds.
- Phone: 502-574-4129
- Website: louisvilleky.gov/government/community-services
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) — Jefferson County Office
Administers Kentucky TANF (Kentucky Works Program) emergency housing funds.
- Phone: 502-595-4600
- Website: chfs.ky.gov
Kentucky-Specific Programs That Apply in Louisville
Kentucky Works Program (TANF) Emergency Assistance
Kentucky’s TANF program — the Kentucky Works Program — can authorize emergency hotel placements for eligible families with children through the Jefferson County CHFS office.
How to access: Call Jefferson County CHFS at 502-595-4600 and ask specifically about Kentucky Works Program emergency housing authorization. Bring ID, proof of children, and any income documentation you have.
Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP)
K-TAP is Kentucky’s cash assistance program for families. K-TAP recipients may also access emergency housing funds through CHFS. If you are already on K-TAP, contact your caseworker directly about emergency housing authorization — this is often faster than applying through the general CHFS line.
Medicaid — Kentucky
Kentucky has expanded Medicaid. Apply at kynect.ky.gov or call 1-855-459-6328. Kentucky Medicaid (through kynect, the state’s benefits portal) covers healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment. Kentucky also has a strong network of behavioral health organizations integrated with homeless services.
Programs for Specific Populations
Families With Children
Family Scholar House — the most distinctive family program in Louisville. Combines emergency and transitional housing with education support, helping parents pursue college degrees while maintaining stable housing.
- Phone: 502-589-0800
- Website: familyscholarhouse.org
- Who they serve: Single-parent families and two-parent families with children
Volunteers of America Mid-States — Louisville (Families)
- Phone: 502-635-5233
- Website: voamid.org
Center for Women and Families (DV survivors)
- Crisis line: 502-581-7222 (24 hours)
- Website: thecenteronline.org
- Note: One of the largest DV organizations in Kentucky, serving the full Louisville metro
Veterans
Robley Rex VA Medical Center — Homeless Programs
- Phone: 502-287-4000 → ask for Homeless Veterans Programs
- Address: 800 Zorn Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
Volunteers of America Mid-States — Veterans Services
- Phone: 502-635-5233
- Operates veteran-specific transitional housing and emergency assistance in Louisville
Veterans call 877-424-3838 to connect directly to VA homeless resources.
People With Substance Use Disorders
Louisville has a well-developed low-barrier substance use services network integrated with homeless services — notable because many cities require sobriety before accessing housing help.
Home of the Innocents — residential substance use treatment with housing integration
- Phone: 502-596-1000
- Website: homeoftheinnocents.org
Seven Counties Services — behavioral health and substance use treatment
- Phone: 502-589-4313
- Website: sevencounties.org
Wayside Christian Mission (502-584-3711) is explicitly low-barrier for people with active substance use — this is worth knowing if you’ve been turned away elsewhere.
Youth (Ages 18–24)
Project Women — homeless youth and young families
- Phone: 502-585-2405
YMCA of Greater Louisville — Youth Services
- Phone: 502-587-9622
Seniors (60+)
Louisville Area Agency on Aging
- Phone: 502-574-6016
- Administers elder-specific emergency housing programs and connects seniors to Eldercare Locator resources
Southern Indiana Side (Jeffersonville, New Albany — Clark and Floyd Counties)
If you are across the river in Indiana, different programs apply:
LifeSpring Health Systems (Clark County): 812-280-2080 — primary emergency services in Jeffersonville New Hope Services (Floyd County): 812-948-9489 — emergency assistance in New Albany 211 Indiana: Call for current Clark and Floyd County resources
Some Louisville-based organizations — particularly the Salvation Army and Wayside — may assist people from the Indiana side in acute emergencies, but for benefits and longer-term programs, Indiana residents should use Indiana systems.
What to Do Once You Have a Placement
Apply for Kentucky SNAP (SNAP benefits) at kynect.ky.gov or call 1-855-459-6328. Zero income qualifies you for the maximum food assistance benefit and expedited 7-day processing.
Apply for Kentucky Medicaid at the same kynect portal — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry through the Coalition for the Homeless at 502-736-7655 or via 211 on Day 1. This is your pathway to rapid rehousing and emergency rental assistance — engage early, not at the last minute of a motel placement.
Apply for Section 8. Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA): 502-569-3400. LMHA waitlists are long — also explore other housing voucher programs available in the metro. Understanding how the Section 8 process works from application through placement keeps you from the common mistakes that get people removed from lists they’ve waited years to reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Louisville?
Call 211 first — available 24 hours in Jefferson County. Wayside Christian Mission at 502-584-3711 accepts walk-ins 24 hours and staff there have real-time information on motel voucher availability across the city. The Salvation Army at 502-585-4450 and Catholic Charities at 502-637-9786 also maintain emergency housing funds. Call before 10 AM when possible — funds are limited and run out by afternoon.
What is the Coalition for the Homeless in Louisville?
The Coalition for the Homeless at 502-736-7655 is the lead CoC agency for Jefferson County — it coordinates all rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and housing vouchers across Louisville. Getting into the Coalition’s coordinated entry system is the step that connects you to long-term housing solutions beyond emergency shelter. Call directly or access through 211.
What is Wayside Christian Mission?
Wayside Christian Mission at 502-584-3711 is Louisville’s largest 24-hour, low-barrier emergency shelter, located at 432 E Jefferson St downtown. It serves men, women, and families in separate facilities, operates without a sobriety requirement, and staff maintain current knowledge of motel voucher availability across the city. It is the most important first contact for anyone new to Louisville’s homeless services system.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Louisville?
Yes. Family Scholar House at 502-589-0800 is Louisville’s signature family program — emergency and transitional housing combined with educational support for single and two-parent families. Volunteers of America Mid-States at 502-635-5233 also serves families. For TANF-funded hotel authorization, call Jefferson County CHFS at 502-595-4600. DV survivors with children should call the Center for Women and Families at 502-581-7222 (24 hours).
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Louisville?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. The Robley Rex VA Medical Center at 502-287-4000 has dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH vouchers and SSVF rapid rehousing. Volunteers of America Mid-States operates veteran-specific transitional housing in Louisville alongside their general family programs.
What is kynect and how do I use it?
kynect is Kentucky’s online benefits portal at kynect.ky.gov — you apply for SNAP, Medicaid, and K-TAP cash assistance all in one place. You don’t need a permanent address; use a shelter address or General Delivery at a post office. With zero income you qualify for expedited SNAP processing (benefits within 3 days) and likely qualify for Medicaid. Call 1-855-459-6328 if you can’t access the website.
I’m in Jeffersonville or New Albany, Indiana — do I use Louisville services?
For immediate emergency shelter in a genuine crisis, Wayside and the Salvation Army may assist regardless of your Indiana address. But for benefit programs — Indiana SNAP, Medicaid, TANF — you must use Indiana systems. Call 211 on the Indiana side for Clark and Floyd County resources. LifeSpring at 812-280-2080 covers Clark County and New Hope Services at 812-948-9489 covers Floyd County.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Louisville?
Most Louisville motel placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions through the Coalition for the Homeless coordinated entry system for people actively pursuing housing. Family Scholar House and family-specific programs may authorize longer stays. Enter coordinated entry through the Coalition on Day 1 and simultaneously apply for SNAP and Medicaid through kynect — stable benefits make every subsequent step faster.