Montana has approximately 2,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the fourth largest state by area — a striking combination of scale and sparsity that makes emergency housing uniquely challenging. Billings and Missoula have the most developed homeless services; Great Falls, Bozeman, Helena, and Kalispell have smaller but active systems. Montana’s winters are severe across most of the state, making outdoor homelessness life-threatening for months at a time. Rural Montana — particularly the vast eastern prairies and the tribal reservations — has some of the most isolated communities in the United States with extremely limited formal resources.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in Montana tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in Montana tonight? Call 211 immediately — Montana 211 is available 24 hours across all 56 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 Montana
Montana does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) — state-level social services through regional offices
- DPHHS regional offices — Montana’s welfare access points
- Community Action Agencies — Montana’s CAA network covers all 56 counties
- Continuums of Care — Montana has multiple CoC regions; Billings and Missoula each have their own
- Tribal social services — Montana has 8 federally recognized tribes with their own social services
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Montana DPHHS administers TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and the Emergency Assistance Program, which can sometimes authorize hotel placements for families in acute crisis. Montana’s harsh winters mean that cold weather emergency protocols are critical — many Montana programs lower barriers or activate additional resources during severe cold.
Always call 211 first.
Montana State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)
DPHHS administers emergency assistance programs through regional offices statewide. TANF Emergency Assistance and the Montana Emergency Assistance Program can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families with children in crisis.
DPHHS contact: 406-444-5900 Website: dphhs.mt.gov
Montana Board of Housing (MBOH)
MBOH distributes federal ESG funds and state housing resources to local organizations providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance statewide.
MBOH contact: 406-841-2840 Website: housing.mt.gov
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Montana by Region
Billings and South Central Montana (Yellowstone County)
Billings is Montana’s largest city and has the most developed homeless services in the state.
Billings CoC / Family Service Inc. Lead CoC partner and primary social services coordinator in Billings.
- Phone: 406-259-2558
- Website: familyserviceinc.org
Salvation Army of Billings Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 406-259-4527
- Address: 736 N 29th St, Billings, MT 59101
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Catholic Social Services of Montana (Billings) Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 406-442-4130
- Website: cssmontana.org
Billings Rescue Mission (men) Emergency shelter and housing for men in Billings.
- Phone: 406-294-5904
- Website: billingsrescuemission.net
- Intake: 24 hours
YWCA Billings (women and families) Emergency shelter and housing for women and families.
- Phone: 406-252-6011
- Website: ywcabillings.org
Yellowstone County DPHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 406-256-5121
Missoula and Western Montana (Missoula County)
Missoula CoC / Missoula Urban Indian Health Center Coordinates homeless services in Missoula, with particular attention to the urban Native American population.
Salvation Army of Missoula Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 406-549-0710
- Address: 1021 S Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59801
Poverello Center Comprehensive homeless services in Missoula including emergency shelter and hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 406-728-1809
- Website: thepoverellocenter.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Catholic Social Services (Missoula) Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 406-549-4146
YWCA Missoula (DV survivors) Emergency shelter and housing for domestic violence survivors.
- Phone: 406-543-6691 (24-hour crisis line)
Missoula County DPHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 406-258-4750
Great Falls and North Central Montana (Cascade County)
Great Falls CoC / Opportunities Inc. Lead Community Action Agency and CoC partner for North Central Montana.
- Phone: 406-761-0310
- Website: oppinc.org
Salvation Army Great Falls Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 406-453-0291
- Address: 26 3rd St S, Great Falls, MT 59401
Cascade County DPHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 406-454-6900
Helena and Southwest Montana (Lewis and Clark County)
Helena CoC / Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) Lead CoC partner for Helena and Southwest Montana.
- Phone: 406-447-1680
- Website: hrdchelena.org
Salvation Army Helena Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 406-442-7244
- Address: 1015 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601
Lewis and Clark County DPHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 406-447-8340
Bozeman and Southwest Montana (Gallatin County)
Bozeman has experienced one of the most acute housing cost increases in the United States over the past decade, driven by remote workers and tourism.
Bozeman CoC / HRDC District IX Lead CoC partner for Gallatin and surrounding counties.
- Phone: 406-587-4486
- Website: hrdcbz.org
Salvation Army Bozeman Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 406-586-5820
Gallatin County DPHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 406-582-3200
Kalispell and Northwest Montana (Flathead County)
Northwest Montana CoC / HRDC of Flathead County Lead CoC partner for Northwest Montana.
- Phone: 406-257-6924
- Website: hrdcflathead.org
Salvation Army Kalispell Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 406-752-0040
Flathead County DPHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 406-758-5700
Tribal Nations and Rural Montana
Montana has 8 federally recognized tribes on 7 reservations, and tribal members should contact their tribal social services first.
Key tribal social services contacts:
- Blackfeet Nation Social Services: 406-338-7779
- Crow Nation Social Services: 406-638-3809
- Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes: 406-768-5155
- Northern Cheyenne Tribe Social Services: 406-477-8844
- Salish and Kootenai Tribes (Flathead): 406-675-2700
For rural non-tribal Montana:
- Your regional DPHHS office — find at dphhs.mt.gov
- Community Action Agencies — call 211 for your nearest CAA
- Local churches — primary emergency resource in rural communities
- 211 — always call first
Montana Cold Weather Emergency — Critical Information
Montana winters are severe across most of the state, with temperatures frequently dropping well below zero from November through March.
- Many Montana shelters activate no-turn-away cold weather policies when temperatures reach life-threatening levels
- Additional emergency beds and hotel placements are prioritized during severe cold
- Outreach teams actively seek unsheltered people during extreme cold warnings
If you are outside during severe cold in Montana: Call 211 immediately. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur within minutes in extreme cold. Montana programs understand this urgency — barriers are lowered during cold weather emergencies.
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Montana
| Priority Group | Montana-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People outside during severe cold | Medical emergency — immediate placement priority |
| Families with children | Top priority; TANF emergency funds can authorize placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | Montana DV Hotline: 1-888-404-7763 |
| Veterans | VA resources in Fort Harrison (Helena area) and regional CBOCs |
| Tribal members | Contact tribal social services first — may have dedicated funds |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county programs |
| Bozeman area residents | Extreme housing cost increases — HRDC IX primary resource |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| Rural eastern Montana | Very limited programs — county DPHHS and churches primary |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Montana — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 56 Montana counties.
Step 2: If you are in Billings, call Billings Rescue Mission at 406-294-5904 (24 hours) or the Salvation Army at 406-259-4527.
Step 3: If you are in Missoula, call Poverello Center at 406-728-1809 (24 hours) or the Salvation Army at 406-549-0710.
Step 4: If you are in Great Falls, call Opportunities Inc. at 406-761-0310.
Step 5: If you are in Helena, call HRDC at 406-447-1680 or the Salvation Army at 406-442-7244.
Step 6: If you are in Bozeman, call HRDC District IX at 406-587-4486.
Step 7: If you are a tribal member, contact your tribal social services directly.
Step 8: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
What to Do During Your Montana Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Montana SNAP at dphhs.mt.gov or call 406-444-5900. With zero income you qualify for the maximum food assistance benefit and expedited 7-day processing.
Apply for Montana Medicaid: Apply at dphhs.mt.gov for Montana Medicaid — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment. Montana expanded Medicaid in 2016, making more adults eligible.
Enter coordinated entry: In Billings, contact Family Service Inc. or call 211. In Missoula, contact Poverello Center. In other cities, call 211. Coordinated entry is your pathway to rapid rehousing and stable housing. Knowing what housing assistance options are 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. Billings, Missoula, and Bozeman have more active programs than rural areas — ask early in your placement rather than at the last minute.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Montana PHA. Housing Authority of Billings: 406-248-7426. Montana PHAs have waitlists — apply now while also exploring other housing voucher options. Understanding how the voucher process works from application to lease-up will help you navigate the timeline correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Montana?
Call 211 from anywhere in Montana — available 24 hours across all 56 counties. In Billings, call Billings Rescue Mission at 406-294-5904 (24 hours) or the Salvation Army at 406-259-4527. In Missoula, call Poverello Center at 406-728-1809. In Helena, call HRDC at 406-447-1680. Tribal members should contact their tribal social services first.
Does Montana have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. Montana does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered locally through regional DPHHS offices, Community Action Agencies, CoCs, and nonprofits. Billings and Missoula have the most resources — rural and tribal areas have significantly fewer. Call 211 for what is available in your specific county.
Are there hotel vouchers for tribal members in Montana?
Yes — and tribal social services are often better resourced for eligible members than county programs. Contact your tribe’s social services first. Blackfeet Nation (406-338-7779), Crow Nation (406-638-3809), Fort Peck Tribes (406-768-5155), Northern Cheyenne (406-477-8844), and Salish and Kootenai Tribes (406-675-2700) all have social services that may include emergency housing assistance. Call 211 as well for any available non-tribal resources in your area.
Is emergency shelter available during Montana winters?
Yes — and this is critical. During severe cold weather, Montana shelters activate no-turn-away policies and emergency hotel placements are prioritized. Call 211 immediately if you are outside in life-threatening cold. Frostbite and hypothermia can develop within minutes in extreme Montana temperatures — this is treated as a medical emergency, and barriers are lowered.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Montana?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. Regional DPHHS offices can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements through TANF for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. YWCA Billings and YWCA Missoula both serve women and families. Families may also qualify for rental assistance programs to maintain stable housing once placed.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Montana?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Montana’s primary VA facility is the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center near Helena, with community-based outpatient clinics in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, Kalispell, and other cities. The Fort Harrison VA has dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What about homelessness in rural eastern Montana?
Eastern Montana’s prairie counties are among the most sparsely populated areas in the continental United States. Formal hotel voucher programs are nearly nonexistent outside of Billings. Your regional DPHHS office is the primary government contact, and local Community Action Agencies cover all 56 counties. Local churches — particularly in ranch and farming communities — are often the main emergency resource. Call 211 — even in eastern Montana, operators know local resources not publicly listed.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Montana?
Most Montana emergency placements last 1–7 nights. During severe cold weather emergencies, placements may be extended to prevent life-threatening exposure. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter coordinated entry through 211 immediately — Montana’s housing resources are limited and early engagement is essential.