Minnesota has over 8,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, with the Twin Cities metro area — Minneapolis and St. Paul — accounting for the majority. Minnesota’s winters are among the harshest in the contiguous United States, making emergency hotel and motel placements a genuine matter of survival from November through March. The state has invested significantly in homeless services, but rural Minnesota, Greater Minnesota cities, and the Iron Range face significantly fewer resources than the Twin Cities.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel assistance anywhere in Minnesota tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in Minnesota tonight? Call 211 immediately — Minnesota 211 is available 24 hours across all 87 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 Minnesota
Minnesota does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) — state-level homeless programs and ESG funds
- County Human Services departments — Minnesota’s county-level social services
- Community Action Agencies — a statewide CAA network covering all 87 counties
- Continuums of Care — Minnesota has several CoC regions; the Hennepin County CoC is the largest
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Minnesota winters create a particular urgency. When temperatures drop below zero — which happens regularly from December through February — many Minnesota organizations activate severe cold weather emergency protocols that lower barriers to entry and prioritize getting everyone inside. If you are outside during a severe cold weather warning, call 211 immediately.
Always call 211 first.
Minnesota State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)
DHS administers the Emergency General Assistance (EGA) program and the Emergency Assistance for Families with Children program through county human services offices. Both can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for people in acute crisis.
DHS contact: 651-431-2000 Website: mn.gov/dhs
Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness (MICH)
MICH coordinates Minnesota’s statewide homelessness response and distributes state housing funds to local organizations. Minnesota has invested in statewide Heading Home Minnesota initiatives that fund emergency housing statewide.
Website: mn.gov/dhs/homelessness
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Minnesota by Region
Minneapolis and Hennepin County
Minneapolis has the largest homeless population in Minnesota and the most comprehensive emergency housing infrastructure.
Hennepin County CoC / Heading Home Hennepin Lead CoC coordinator for Hennepin County.
- Phone: 612-348-4111
- Website: hennepin.us/homelessness
Simpson Housing Solutions Emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel placement assistance in Minneapolis.
- Phone: 612-874-8511
- Address: 2740 1st Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
- Website: simpsonhousing.org
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Catholic Charities Twin Cities One of the Twin Cities’ largest providers of emergency housing including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 651-325-0500
- Website: cctwincities.org
- Intake: Call for current programs and availability
Salvation Army of Minneapolis Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 612-767-7600
- Address: 900 4th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Avivo (formerly Minneapolis Community Care) Emergency housing and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness.
- Phone: 612-341-3400
- Website: avivomn.org
People Serving People (families) Emergency family shelter and housing services in Minneapolis.
- Phone: 612-332-4500
- Website: peopleservingpeople.org
Hennepin County Human Services County emergency housing assistance including EGA program.
- Phone: 612-348-4111
Hennepin County 2-1-1 Call 211 for real-time emergency housing referrals and hotel voucher availability across Hennepin County.
St. Paul and Ramsey County
Ramsey County CoC / Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) MACV serves as a key CoC partner and homeless services coordinator in Ramsey County.
- Phone: 651-645-0954
- Website: mac-v.org
Dorothy Day Center / Catholic Charities Comprehensive day services and emergency housing in St. Paul.
- Phone: 651-232-0129
- Address: 714 E 6th St, St. Paul, MN 55106
- Website: cctwincities.org
Salvation Army of St. Paul Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 651-224-4316
- Address: 401 E 8th St, St. Paul, MN 55101
Ramsey County Human Services County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 651-266-4444
District 6 Planning Council and other community organizations Call 211 for St. Paul-specific emergency housing referrals.
Greater Minnesota — Rochester and Southeast
Channel One Regional Food Bank / Rochester CoC Coordinates emergency housing resources in the Rochester area.
- Phone: 507-287-6675
Salvation Army Rochester Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 507-289-0467
Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 507-287-2047
- Website: ccsmn.org
Olmsted County Human Services County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 507-328-6500
Duluth and Northeast Minnesota (Iron Range)
CHUM (Churches United in Ministry) Lead CoC partner and primary homeless services provider in Duluth and St. Louis County.
- Phone: 218-722-7464
- Address: 102 W 2nd St, Duluth, MN 55802
- Website: chumduluth.org
- Intake: Daily — call for current hours
Salvation Army Duluth Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 218-722-2689
St. Louis County Social Services County emergency housing assistance for the Iron Range and Duluth area.
- Phone: 218-726-2101
St. Cloud and Central Minnesota
Central Minnesota CoC / Catholic Charities of St. Cloud Lead CoC partner for Central Minnesota.
- Phone: 320-650-1550
- Website: cc.stcdio.org
Salvation Army St. Cloud Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 320-251-5600
Stearns County Human Services County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 320-656-6000
Moorhead and West Central Minnesota (Clay County)
Churches United for the Homeless (Fargo-Moorhead) Primary homeless services provider for the Fargo-Moorhead metro, serving both North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota.
- Phone: 701-235-4453
- Website: cufhfm.org
Clay County Social Services County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 218-299-5200
Rural Minnesota
Rural Minnesota — particularly the southwestern prairie counties and northeastern Iron Range — has very limited formal hotel voucher programs. Primary resources:
- Your county Human Services office — find at mn.gov/dhs
- Community Action Agencies — call 211 for your nearest CAA
- Local churches — primary emergency resource in rural Minnesota
- 211 — always call first, even in rural areas
Minnesota Cold Weather Emergency — Critical Information
November through March — statewide.
When Minnesota issues severe cold weather warnings or temperatures drop to life-threatening levels:
- Many Minnesota shelters activate no-turn-away policies
- Additional emergency shelter beds are opened
- Hotel placements are prioritized for people who cannot access shelter
- Outreach teams actively seek unsheltered individuals
If you are homeless outside during extreme cold in Minnesota: Call 211 immediately. Hypothermia can be fatal within hours. Many programs waive ID, sobriety, and other requirements during severe cold weather emergencies.
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Minnesota
| Priority Group | Minnesota-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People outside during extreme cold | Medical emergency — immediate placement, barriers lowered |
| Families with children | Top priority; county Emergency Assistance can authorize placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | MN Day One DV Hotline: 1-866-223-1111 |
| Veterans | Strong VA resources in Minneapolis, St. Paul, St. Cloud |
| American Indian/Native households | Minneapolis has specific AI/AN homeless programs |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county programs |
| Youth ages 18–24 | Avenues for Homeless Youth (Minneapolis): 612-767-8800 |
| LGBTQ+ individuals | Several Twin Cities programs explicitly affirming |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| Rural residents | County Human Services and local churches are primary resources |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Minnesota — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 87 Minnesota counties.
Step 2: If you are in Minneapolis, call Simpson Housing at 612-874-8511 or Catholic Charities at 651-325-0500.
Step 3: If you are in St. Paul, call Dorothy Day Center at 651-232-0129 or the Salvation Army at 651-224-4316.
Step 4: If you are in Duluth, call CHUM at 218-722-7464.
Step 5: Contact your county Human Services office and ask about Emergency General Assistance (EGA) for emergency hotel assistance.
Step 6: If it is a severe cold weather emergency, call 211 immediately — barriers are lowered statewide.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your Minnesota Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Minnesota SNAP at mnbenefits.mn.gov or call 651-431-2000. With zero income you qualify for maximum benefits and expedited 7-day processing. See our food assistance guide for details.
Apply for Medical Assistance: Apply at mnbenefits.mn.gov for Minnesota Medical Assistance — the state’s Medicaid program — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry: In Minneapolis, call Heading Home Hennepin or 211. In St. Paul, call Ramsey County Human Services. 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. The Twin Cities have active rapid rehousing programs. See our emergency rental assistance guide as another immediate option.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Minnesota PHA. Minneapolis Public Housing Authority: 612-342-1400. Minnesota PHAs have very long waitlists — apply now and to multiple PHAs. 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 Minnesota?
Call 211 from anywhere in Minnesota — available 24 hours across all 87 counties. In Minneapolis, call Simpson Housing at 612-874-8511 or Catholic Charities Twin Cities at 651-325-0500. In St. Paul, call the Dorothy Day Center at 651-232-0129. Your county Human Services office is also a key resource through the Emergency General Assistance program.
Is there emergency shelter during Minnesota winters?
Yes — and this is critical. During severe cold weather warnings, many Minnesota programs activate no-turn-away policies and lower or eliminate barriers to entry. Call 211 immediately if you are outside during extreme cold — hypothermia can be life-threatening within hours. Hotel placements are available for people who cannot safely access shelter.
What is Minnesota’s Emergency General Assistance (EGA) program?
EGA is a state-funded emergency assistance program administered through county Human Services offices. It can provide one-time emergency funds for housing costs — including emergency hotel placements in acute crisis situations. Contact your county Human Services office and ask specifically about EGA emergency housing assistance. Find your local office at mn.gov/dhs.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Minnesota?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. County Human Services offices can authorize emergency hotel placements through the Emergency Assistance for Families with Children program. Call 211 and specify you have children. People Serving People in Minneapolis specifically serves families. Catholic Charities Twin Cities also prioritizes families.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Minnesota?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Minnesota has VA resources in Minneapolis (Minneapolis VA Health Care System), St. Paul, St. Cloud (St. Cloud VA Health Care System), and Fargo (serving western Minnesota) with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
Are there hotel vouchers for American Indian or Native homeless people in Minnesota?
Yes. Minneapolis has specific programs for American Indian and Alaska Native people experiencing homelessness, including the American Indian Community Development Corporation and Division of Indian Work. Call 211 in Minneapolis and ask specifically for American Indian homeless programs.
What if I am homeless in rural Minnesota?
Rural Minnesota has very limited formal hotel voucher programs. Contact your county Human Services office and ask about Emergency General 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 Minnesota communities. Call 211 — even in rural areas.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Minnesota?
Most Minnesota emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions during severe cold weather emergencies. Twin Cities programs sometimes offer longer placements for families. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter your regional coordinated entry system immediately.