Nebraska has approximately 3,500 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, with Omaha and Lincoln together accounting for the vast majority. Both cities have well-developed homeless service systems relative to their size — Omaha in particular has invested significantly in coordinated homeless services over the past decade. Grand Island, Kearney, and Norfolk have smaller but functional programs. Rural Nebraska — particularly the Sandhills and Panhandle — is some of the most sparsely populated territory in the continental United States, where a single Community Action Agency office may serve thousands of square miles.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to find emergency hotel or motel assistance anywhere in Nebraska tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in Nebraska tonight? Call 211 immediately — Nebraska 211 is available 24 hours across all 93 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 Nebraska
Nebraska does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through:
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) — state-level social services through local offices
- Local DHHS offices — Nebraska’s county-level welfare access points
- Community Action Agencies — Nebraska’s CAA network covers all 93 counties
- Continuums of Care — Nebraska has multiple CoC regions; Omaha CoC is the largest
- Nonprofits and faith-based organizations
Nebraska DHHS offices administer Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) — Nebraska’s TANF program — and emergency funds that can sometimes authorize hotel placements for families in acute crisis. Nebraska also has an Emergency Assistance program through DHHS that can provide one-time emergency funds for housing.
Always call 211 first.
Nebraska State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
DHHS administers emergency assistance programs through local offices statewide. The Emergency Assistance program and ADC can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families with children in crisis.
DHHS contact: 1-800-383-4278 Website: dhhs.ne.gov
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA)
NIFA distributes federal ESG funds and state housing resources to local organizations providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and hotel assistance statewide.
NIFA contact: 402-434-3900 Website: nifa.org
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Nebraska by Region
Omaha and Douglas County
Omaha has the largest homeless population in Nebraska and one of the more coordinated emergency service systems in the Great Plains region.
Omaha CoC / Heartland 2020 Lead CoC coordinator for the Omaha metro area.
- Phone: 402-444-6693
- Website: heartland2020.org
Salvation Army of Omaha Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers for individuals and families.
- Phone: 402-898-4300
- Address: 2351 Dorcas St, Omaha, NE 68105
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Catholic Charities of Omaha Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 402-554-0520
- Website: catholiccharitiesomaha.org
Open Door Mission (men) Emergency shelter and housing for men in Omaha.
- Phone: 402-422-1111
- Website: opendoormission.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Siena/Francis House (men — low barrier) Low-barrier emergency shelter and housing services in Omaha.
- Phone: 402-341-1821
- Website: sienafrancishouse.org
- Intake: 24 hours; no sobriety requirement
Together (formerly YWCA of Omaha — women) Emergency shelter and housing for women and children in Omaha.
- Phone: 402-345-6555
- Website: togetheromaha.org
OneWorld Community Health Centers Healthcare and housing assistance for people experiencing homelessness in Omaha.
- Phone: 402-734-4110
- Website: oneworldomaha.org
Douglas County DHHS County emergency housing assistance through Emergency Assistance and ADC.
- Phone: 402-444-3282
Lincoln and Lancaster County
Lincoln CoC / Lincoln Homeless Coalition Lead CoC coordinator for Lancaster County.
- Phone: 402-475-5222
- Website: homelesscoalitionlincoln.org
Salvation Army of Lincoln Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 402-474-0321
- Address: 2625 Potter St, Lincoln, NE 68503
Catholic Social Services of Lincoln Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 402-474-1600
- Website: cssomaha.org
Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach (Lincoln) Day services and emergency housing referrals for people experiencing homelessness in Lincoln.
- Phone: 402-477-4116
- Website: matttalbotlincoln.org
People’s City Mission (men) Emergency shelter and housing for men in Lincoln.
- Phone: 402-475-1303
- Website: peoplescitymission.org
- Intake: 24 hours
Lancaster County DHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 402-441-7700
Grand Island and Central Nebraska (Hall County)
Grand Island CoC / Heartland United Way Coordinates homeless services in the Grand Island area.
- Phone: 308-382-2675
Salvation Army Grand Island Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 308-382-3424
- Address: 320 W 3rd St, Grand Island, NE 68801
Hall County DHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 308-385-6200
Norfolk and Northeast Nebraska (Madison County)
Northeast Nebraska CoC / Lutheran Social Services of Nebraska Lead CoC partner serving Northeast Nebraska.
- Phone: 402-875-5200
- Website: lssne.org
Salvation Army Norfolk Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 402-371-3994
Madison County DHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 402-370-3450
Kearney and South Central Nebraska (Buffalo County)
South Central Nebraska CoC / Kearney Area Community Foundation Coordinates homeless services in Kearney and surrounding counties.
Salvation Army Kearney Emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 308-237-4121
Buffalo County DHHS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 308-865-5400
Rural Nebraska — Sandhills and Panhandle
Nebraska’s Sandhills and Panhandle regions are some of the most sparsely populated areas in the continental United States. Formal hotel voucher programs are nearly nonexistent outside of small county seats.
- Your local DHHS office — every Nebraska county has access; find at dhhs.ne.gov
- Community Action Agencies — Nebraska has a strong CAA network; call 211 for your nearest office
- Local churches — primary emergency resource in rural Nebraska communities
- 211 — always call first even in the Sandhills and Panhandle
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Nebraska
| Priority Group | Nebraska-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; DHHS ADC and Emergency Assistance can authorize |
| Domestic violence survivors | Nebraska DV Hotline: 1-800-876-6238 |
| Veterans | VA resources in Omaha, Lincoln, and regional CBOCs |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county programs |
| Youth ages 18–24 | City-specific programs — ask 211 |
| People in recovery | Siena/Francis House in Omaha is explicitly low-barrier |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| Rural Sandhills/Panhandle residents | County DHHS and local CAAs primary resources |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Nebraska — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 93 Nebraska counties.
Step 2: If you are in Omaha, call Siena/Francis House at 402-341-1821 (24 hours, low-barrier) or the Salvation Army at 402-898-4300.
Step 3: If you are in Lincoln, call People’s City Mission at 402-475-1303 (24 hours) or the Salvation Army at 402-474-0321.
Step 4: If you are in Grand Island, call the Salvation Army at 308-382-3424.
Step 5: Contact your local DHHS office and ask about Emergency Assistance or ADC hotel placements.
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 Nebraska Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Nebraska SNAP at accessnebraska.ne.gov or call 1-800-383-4278. With zero income you qualify for the maximum food assistance benefit and expedited 7-day processing.
Apply for Nebraska Medicaid: Apply at accessnebraska.ne.gov for Nebraska Medicaid — covering healthcare, mental health, and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry: In Omaha, contact Heartland 2020 or call 211. In Lincoln, contact the Lincoln Homeless Coalition. Elsewhere, call 211. Coordinated entry connects you to rapid rehousing and permanent housing. Reviewing what housing assistance programs exist in Nebraska before your first case manager meeting will help you navigate the process.
Pursue rental assistance: Ask 211 about emergency rental assistance in your county. Omaha and Lincoln both have active programs — availability changes with funding, so ask early in your placement.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Nebraska PHA. Omaha Housing Authority: 402-444-4241. Nebraska PHAs have waitlists — apply now and explore other housing voucher options simultaneously. Understanding how the Section 8 application and placement process works will help you stay correctly positioned on the waitlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Nebraska?
Call 211 from anywhere in Nebraska — available 24 hours across all 93 counties. In Omaha, call Siena/Francis House at 402-341-1821 (24 hours, low-barrier) or the Salvation Army at 402-898-4300. In Lincoln, call People’s City Mission at 402-475-1303. In Grand Island, call the Salvation Army at 308-382-3424. Your county DHHS office is also a key resource.
What is Nebraska’s Emergency Assistance program?
Nebraska DHHS administers an Emergency Assistance program through local offices that can provide one-time funds for housing emergencies — including emergency hotel placements for eligible households. Contact your local DHHS office at dhhs.ne.gov and ask specifically about Emergency Assistance for housing. Families with children and households facing imminent homelessness are prioritized.
Does Nebraska have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. Nebraska does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered locally through DHHS offices, Community Action Agencies, CoCs, and nonprofits. Omaha and Lincoln have the most resources — rural Nebraska has significantly fewer. Call 211 for what is available in your specific county.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Nebraska?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority. DHHS offices can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements through ADC and Emergency Assistance for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. Together (formerly YWCA Omaha) serves women and children. Families may also qualify for rental assistance programs once they are stabilized in temporary housing.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Nebraska?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Nebraska has VA resources in Omaha (VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System) and Lincoln (Lincoln VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic) with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What makes Siena/Francis House different from other Omaha shelters?
Siena/Francis House operates as a low-barrier shelter — meaning they do not require sobriety or turn people away for active substance use. This makes them accessible to people who may have been turned away elsewhere. They operate 24 hours and serve men in Omaha. Call 402-341-1821 for current availability. People recovering from addiction may also want to ask about their recovery-focused programs.
What if I am homeless in rural Nebraska?
Rural Nebraska — particularly the Sandhills and Panhandle — has very limited formal hotel voucher programs. Nebraska’s Community Action Agency network is relatively strong and covers all counties — find your local CAA through 211. Local churches are often the primary emergency resource in small Nebraska communities. Call 211 — even in rural Nebraska, operators know local resources not publicly listed.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Nebraska?
Most Nebraska emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions while longer-term housing is arranged. Omaha programs sometimes offer longer placements for families or people with complex needs. Connect with a case manager on Day 1 and enter coordinated entry immediately.