New York has the largest homeless population of any state in the United States, with over 90,000 people experiencing homelessness on a single night — more than any other state. New York City alone accounts for the majority of that number. Emergency hotel and motel voucher programs operate across the state, though they function very differently in New York City versus upstate counties and rural areas.
This guide from House for Homeless explains how emergency hotel and motel voucher programs work in New York State. For programs in other states, see our hotel vouchers for homeless national guide., who provides them, and how to access help wherever you are in New York tonight.
Need a hotel voucher in New York tonight? Call 211 immediately — available 24 hours across New York State. Tell the operator your location and that you need emergency hotel or motel assistance. Veterans call 877-424-3838.
New York City vs. Upstate New York: A Critical Difference
New York State’s emergency housing system works very differently depending on where you are:
New York City has a legal right to shelter — one of the only places in the United States where this exists. If you are homeless in New York City, the city is legally required to provide you a shelter bed. Hotel and motel vouchers in NYC are typically used as overflow when shelter capacity is exceeded, for families, or through specific programs like CityFHEPS vouchers for longer-term housing.
Upstate New York (Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and rural counties) operates more like other states — emergency hotel vouchers are available through county social services, Community Action Agencies, and nonprofits, but there is no legal right to shelter and availability varies by county.
Knowing which system applies to your location helps you ask for the right thing.
New York City: Emergency Housing
Right to Shelter
In New York City, you have a legal right to emergency shelter. The city cannot turn you away. To access a shelter bed:
Single adults: Call 311 (NYC’s municipal services line, available 24/7) or go to a Homeless Intake Assessment Center directly:
- 30th Street Men’s Shelter: 400 E 30th St, Manhattan | Open 24 hours
- Bellevue Men’s Shelter: 400 E 30th St, Manhattan (assessment center)
- PATH (Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing) for families: 151 E 151st St, Bronx | Open 24 hours
Families with children: Call 311 or go to PATH at 151 E 151st St in the Bronx — open 24 hours for family intake.
CityFHEPS — NYC’s Long-Term Voucher Program
CityFHEPS (City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement) is New York City’s local housing voucher program. It provides ongoing rental subsidies for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in NYC. It is not a hotel voucher — it is a long-term rental voucher similar to Section 8.
To be referred for CityFHEPS, you typically need to be in the shelter system or working with a housing specialist. Contact the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA) at 718-557-1399 or visit a local HRA office.
NYC Emergency Hotel Programs
When traditional NYC shelters are at capacity — particularly during extreme weather, crises, or for households with specific barriers — NYC does arrange hotel placements through:
- NYC Department of Social Services (DSS): Call 311 and ask for emergency hotel assistance
- Safe Haven programs: Low-barrier hotel-style accommodations for people who refuse traditional shelter
- Hotel program for families: Administered through NYC’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) when family shelter is full
Phone for NYC DHS: 212-361-7893 (24 hours)
Upstate New York: Emergency Hotel Vouchers by Region
Albany and Capital Region
- Albany County Department of Social Services: 518-447-7300 — ask about emergency housing assistance and hotel vouchers
- Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless: 518-463-4693 — emergency shelter and housing assistance in Albany
- Affordable Housing Partnership: 518-434-1730 — housing assistance and referrals
- 211: Call 211 for current availability across Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, and Saratoga counties
Buffalo and Western New York
- Erie County Department of Social Services: 716-858-8400 — emergency housing assistance
- Buffalo City Mission: 716-854-8181 — emergency shelter and transitional housing for men, women, and families
- Compass House: 716-883-3100 — women and children experiencing homelessness
- Journey’s End Refugee Services: 716-882-9511 — emergency housing for refugees and immigrants
- 211: Call 211 for current hotel and motel voucher availability in Erie, Niagara, and surrounding counties
Rochester and Finger Lakes
- Monroe County Department of Human Services: 585-753-6000 — emergency housing and hotel assistance
- House of Mercy: 585-546-2400 — comprehensive homeless services including emergency shelter
- Anthony Jordan Health Center: 585-423-5090 — healthcare and housing assistance
- 211: Call 211 for current availability across Monroe, Ontario, and Finger Lakes counties
Syracuse and Central New York
- Onondaga County Department of Social Services: 315-435-2863 — emergency housing assistance
- Rescue Mission of Syracuse: 315-701-3500 — emergency shelter, meals, and housing services
- Vera House: 315-425-0818 — DV shelter and emergency housing for survivors
- 211: Call 211 for current hotel voucher availability in Onondaga and surrounding counties
Rural Counties and Smaller Cities
New York’s 62 counties each have a Department of Social Services that can provide emergency housing assistance. In rural areas, county DSS is often the primary source of emergency hotel vouchers. Call your county DSS directly or dial 211 to be connected.
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers Across New York State
County Departments of Social Services (DSS)
Every New York county has a DSS that administers emergency housing assistance, including hotel and motel placements. In New York City this is HRA/DSS. In upstate counties it is the county DSS.
How to access: Call your county DSS directly, call 211, or in NYC call 311.
What to say: “I am currently homeless and need emergency housing assistance. I cannot access a shelter due to [reason — pets, partner, medical condition, shelter full]. Do you have an emergency hotel or motel program?”
Community Action Agencies in New York
New York’s Community Action Agencies receive federal CSBG and state emergency funds:
- Community Action Organization of Western New York (Buffalo): 716-881-5150
- Capital District Community Loan Fund (Albany): 518-436-8586
- PathStone Corporation (Rochester): 585-340-3300
- Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities (Queens, NYC): 718-651-8700
- Westchester Community Opportunity Program (White Plains): 914-592-5600
Salvation Army New York
The Salvation Army operates across New York and maintains emergency assistance funds:
- Manhattan: 212-337-7200
- Brooklyn: 718-768-3500
- Buffalo: 716-883-9800
- Albany: 518-462-1986
- Rochester: 585-987-9500
- Syracuse: 315-479-1380
Catholic Charities New York
Catholic Charities operates dioceses across New York with emergency assistance programs:
- Catholic Charities NYC: 212-371-1000
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Albany: 518-453-6650
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Buffalo: 716-856-4494
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Rochester: 585-546-7220
New York-Specific Programs
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)
OTDA oversees emergency assistance programs across New York State. The Emergency Assistance to Adults (EAA) and Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF) programs provide one-time emergency funds for housing — including hotel placements — to people in crisis.
OTDA main line: 518-474-9475 Apply through: Your local county DSS office or call 211
New York State Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
While primarily a utility program, HEAP emergency funds sometimes cover housing costs in crisis situations. Ask your county DSS about emergency HEAP housing assistance during your application.
FHEPS and ERAP (NYC Only)
In New York City, Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and CityFHEPS vouchers provide housing subsidies for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. These are administered through NYC HRA. Call 718-557-1399 or visit nyc.gov/hra for more information.
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in New York
| Priority Group | New York Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Primary target statewide; NYC has right to shelter |
| Families with children | Top priority; NYC PATH intake center open 24/7 |
| Domestic violence survivors | DV vouchers available statewide through certified DV programs |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in NYC and county DSS programs |
| People with HIV/AIDS | HOPWA funding available through NYC and major counties |
| Veterans | Strong VA resources in NYC, Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse |
| Couples | Hotel placements specifically address gender-separated shelter limits |
| People with pets | Limited — ask 211 specifically for pet-friendly options |
| Immigrants and refugees | New York City has strong immigrant services; Ask for right to shelter regardless of status |
Important for NYC: New York City’s right to shelter applies to everyone physically present in the city — including undocumented immigrants, tourists, and people from other states. Immigration status does not affect your right to shelter in New York City.
What to Do During Your New York Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for SNAP in New York at mybenefits.ny.gov or call 1-800-342-3009. NYC residents can apply through ACCESS HRA at access.nyc.gov. See our guide on how to apply for SNAP when homeless.
Apply for Medicaid: Apply at mybenefits.ny.gov. New York has one of the most generous Medicaid programs in the country — eligibility is broad.
Enter the coordinated entry system: Call 211 (or 311 in NYC) to be entered into your area’s coordinated entry system for rapid rehousing and transitional housing. See our guide on types of housing assistance programs for all your options.
Apply for Section 8: New York’s PHA waitlists are among the longest in the country. Apply now at your local PHA. In NYC, contact NYCHA at 718-707-7771. See our Section 8 guide for the full process. Browse all housing voucher programs for more options.
For NYC — apply for CityFHEPS: If you are in the NYC shelter system, ask your case manager about CityFHEPS vouchers. These provide ongoing housing subsidies and are one of the fastest paths out of the NYC shelter system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hotel voucher for homeless in New York?
In New York City, call 311 or go to a city shelter intake center — NYC has a legal right to shelter. Upstate, call 211 and ask for emergency hotel or motel assistance in your county. You can also contact your county Department of Social Services, the Salvation Army, or Catholic Charities.
Does New York City have a right to shelter?
Yes. New York City has a legal right to shelter for homeless adults and families. The city cannot legally turn you away. If you are in NYC and homeless, call 311 or go to a shelter intake center. Hotel placements are used when shelter beds are full or for specific programs.
Can undocumented immigrants get hotel vouchers in New York?
In New York City, the right to shelter applies regardless of immigration status. Emergency services are available to anyone physically present in the city. Upstate, it varies by program. Call 211 and explain your situation — many programs serve everyone in immediate need without checking status.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in New York?
Yes. Families with children are a top priority. In NYC, go to the PATH intake center at 151 E 151st St in the Bronx (open 24 hours). Upstate, call 211 and ask specifically for family emergency housing. Families are rarely turned away.
How long do hotel vouchers last in New York?
Outside NYC, most emergency placements last 1–7 nights with possible extensions. In NYC, hotel and motel placements through the shelter system can last longer while permanent housing is arranged. The goal in both cases is to move you to stable housing as quickly as possible.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in New York?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. New York has major VA resources in NYC, Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH vouchers and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What is PATH in New York City?
PATH stands for Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing. It is NYC’s 24-hour intake center for homeless families at 151 E 151st St in the Bronx. Any family that presents at PATH and is determined to be eligible for shelter will receive a placement — no family is turned away under NYC’s right to shelter rules.
What if I am homeless in New York but not in New York City?
Call 211 immediately — available statewide. Contact your county Department of Social Services and ask about emergency housing assistance and hotel vouchers. All 62 New York counties have DSS offices that administer emergency housing funds. You can also browse our emergency shelters guide for shelter options near you. Resources are more limited upstate than in NYC, but help is available.