Mississippi has approximately 2,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night — a relatively small number that reflects both the state’s rural character and the reality that many people who are homeless in Mississippi are not counted because they are doubled up with family or living in severely substandard housing. Jackson is the state’s only major urban center and has the most developed homeless services infrastructure. The Gulf Coast — Gulfport, Biloxi, and surrounding communities — has a second concentration of services driven in part by the region’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Rural Mississippi, particularly the Delta, has extremely limited formal programs.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in Mississippi tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in Mississippi tonight? Call 211 immediately — Mississippi 211 is available 24 hours across all 82 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 Mississippi
Mississippi does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) — state-level social services through county offices
- County MDHS offices — Mississippi’s county-level welfare access points
- Community Action Agencies — Mississippi’s CAA network covers all 82 counties
- Continuums of Care — Mississippi has multiple CoC regions
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Mississippi county MDHS offices administer TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and emergency funds that can sometimes authorize hotel placements for families in acute crisis. Mississippi has one of the least generous TANF programs in the country, but MDHS can sometimes facilitate emergency housing referrals even when direct cash is limited. Faith communities — particularly Baptist, Methodist, and AME congregations — are central to the emergency safety net across Mississippi.
Always call 211 first.
Mississippi State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS)
MDHS administers emergency assistance programs through county offices statewide. The TANF Emergency Assistance program and emergency housing funds can sometimes authorize hotel placements for families with children in crisis.
MDHS contact: 1-800-948-4060 Website: mdhs.ms.gov
Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC)
MHC distributes federal ESG funds and state housing resources to local organizations providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance statewide.
MHC contact: 601-718-4636 Website: mshomecorp.com
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Mississippi by Region
Jackson and Central Mississippi (Hinds County)
Jackson is Mississippi’s capital and largest city, with the most developed homeless services in the state.
Jackson CoC / Catholic Charities of Jackson Lead CoC partner and primary emergency assistance provider in Jackson.
- Phone: 601-355-8634
- Website: ccdiojackson.org
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Salvation Army of Jackson Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 601-353-7839
- Address: 635 N West St, Jackson, MS 39202
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Society of St. Vincent de Paul — Jackson Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers and utility help.
- Phone: 601-352-6996
Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence Safe House (DV survivors) Emergency housing for domestic violence survivors in Jackson.
- Hotline: 601-981-9196 (24 hours)
The Stewpot Community Services Day services and emergency housing referrals for people experiencing homelessness in Jackson.
- Phone: 601-353-2759
- Website: thestewpot.org
- Hours: Daily — call for current hours
Hinds County MDHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 601-359-4500
Gulfport, Biloxi and the Gulf Coast (Harrison, Jackson, Hancock counties)
The Gulf Coast has a second concentration of homeless services, bolstered by Hurricane Katrina recovery infrastructure that remains active.
Gulf Coast CoC / Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence Coordinates homeless services across the Gulf Coast region.
- Phone: 228-436-3809
- Website: gulfcoastcenter.org
Salvation Army of Gulfport Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 228-863-2541
- Address: 1617 25th Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501
Catholic Social and Community Services (Biloxi) Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 228-374-6674
- Website: cscsbiloxi.com
Coast Family Resource Center Emergency assistance and housing resources for Gulf Coast residents.
- Phone: 228-864-1511
Harrison County MDHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 228-865-4300
Hattiesburg and South Central Mississippi (Forrest County)
Pine Belt CoC / United Way of the Pine Belt Coordinates homeless services in the Hattiesburg area.
- Phone: 601-544-1492
Salvation Army Hattiesburg Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 601-544-5424
- Address: 907 Adeline St, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Forrest County MDHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 601-545-5900
Meridian and East Central Mississippi (Lauderdale County)
Salvation Army Meridian Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 601-693-3461
- Address: 2516 13th St, Meridian, MS 39301
Catholic Charities Meridian Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 601-693-1723
Lauderdale County MDHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 601-482-9712
The Mississippi Delta
The Delta counties — Bolivar, Coahoma, Humphreys, Leflore, Sunflower, and surrounding areas — face some of the highest poverty rates in the United States alongside extremely limited formal homeless services.
- Delta Council Community Action Agency: 662-887-1228 — primary CAA for several Delta counties
- Mississippi Action for Community Education (MACE): 662-335-3523 — serves Bolivar, Coahoma, and surrounding counties
- Local churches — Baptist and AME congregations are often the only emergency resource in many Delta communities
- Your county MDHS office — find at mdhs.ms.gov
- 211 — always call first even in the Delta
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Mississippi
| Priority Group | Mississippi-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; MDHS TANF can sometimes authorize placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | MS DV Hotline: 1-800-898-3234 |
| Veterans | VA resources in Jackson, Biloxi, and community-based clinics |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county programs |
| Delta residents | MACE, Delta Council CAA, and local churches primary resources |
| Gulf Coast residents | Katrina recovery infrastructure still supports services |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Mississippi — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 82 Mississippi counties.
Step 2: If you are in Jackson, call Catholic Charities at 601-355-8634 or the Salvation Army at 601-353-7839.
Step 3: If you are on the Gulf Coast, call Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence at 228-436-3809 or the Salvation Army Gulfport at 228-863-2541.
Step 4: If you are in Hattiesburg, call the Salvation Army at 601-544-5424.
Step 5: Contact your county MDHS office and ask about TANF emergency housing assistance.
Step 6: Contact your local Community Action Agency — call 211 for the nearest one.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your Mississippi Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Mississippi SNAP at mdhs.ms.gov or call 1-800-948-4060. With zero income you qualify for the maximum food stamp benefit and expedited 7-day processing.
Apply for Mississippi Medicaid: Apply at medicaid.ms.gov for Mississippi Division of Medicaid — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry: In Jackson, contact Catholic Charities or call 211. On the Gulf Coast, contact Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence. Coordinated entry connects you to rapid rehousing and permanent housing options. Understanding the types of assistance programs available before your first case manager meeting helps you ask the right questions.
Pursue rental assistance: Ask 211 about emergency rental assistance in your county. Mississippi’s programs vary significantly by area, and funding is limited — ask early in your placement, not at the last minute.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Mississippi PHA. Jackson Housing Authority: 601-362-5722. Mississippi PHAs have long waitlists — apply now and simultaneously explore other housing voucher options. Knowing how the Section 8 program operates will help you stay active on the waiting list correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Mississippi?
Call 211 from anywhere in Mississippi — available 24 hours across all 82 counties. In Jackson, call Catholic Charities at 601-355-8634 or the Salvation Army at 601-353-7839. On the Gulf Coast, call Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence at 228-436-3809. In Hattiesburg, call the Salvation Army at 601-544-5424. Your county MDHS office is also a key resource.
Does Mississippi have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. Mississippi does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered locally through county MDHS offices, Community Action Agencies, CoCs, and nonprofits. Jackson and the Gulf Coast have the most resources — Delta counties have very few formal programs. Call 211 for what is available in your specific county.
Why does Mississippi have fewer homeless counted than expected?
Mississippi’s official homeless count is relatively low, but this reflects the way homelessness presents in the state. Many people experiencing homelessness in Mississippi are doubled up — living with relatives or friends in overcrowded households — or living in severely substandard housing rather than on the street. These situations often do not appear in official counts but represent genuine housing crisis.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Mississippi?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. County MDHS offices can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements through TANF for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. Catholic Charities in Jackson serves families comprehensively. Families who stabilize may also qualify for longer-term rental assistance to maintain housing.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Mississippi?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Mississippi has VA resources in Jackson (G.V. Sonny Montgomery VA Medical Center) and Biloxi (Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System) with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What if I am homeless in the Mississippi Delta?
The Delta has some of the highest poverty rates in the United States with very limited formal hotel voucher programs. Mississippi Action for Community Education (MACE) at 662-335-3523 and Delta Council Community Action Agency at 662-887-1228 are the primary CAAs. Local churches — particularly Baptist and AME congregations — are often the primary emergency resource. Call 211 — operators know local resources not publicly listed.
Can I get a hotel voucher in Mississippi without ID?
Many Mississippi programs serve people without identification, particularly faith-based programs and low-barrier shelters. Do not let lack of ID prevent you from calling 211. Mississippi offers free state ID programs through the DPS for low-income residents — ask 211 or your county MDHS office for assistance.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Mississippi?
Most Mississippi emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions while longer-term housing is arranged. Gulf Coast programs sometimes offer slightly longer placements given the area’s disaster recovery history. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter coordinated entry immediately.