Ohio has more than 10,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, spread across a state with five major urban centers — Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo — and 88 counties ranging from dense urban cores to vast rural stretches. Emergency hotel and motel voucher programs exist across the state, though resources are concentrated in larger cities.
This guide from House for Homeless covers how to get emergency hotel assistance anywhere in Ohio tonight. For programs in other states, see our hotel vouchers for homeless national guide. — from the largest cities to rural Appalachian counties where resources are scarce.
Need a hotel voucher in Ohio tonight? Call 211 immediately — Ohio 211 is available 24 hours across all 88 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 Ohio
Ohio does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel and motel assistance is funded and administered locally through county Departments of Job and Family Services (DJFS), Community Action Agencies, Continuums of Care, and nonprofits.
Ohio’s county DJFS offices are the primary government gateway to emergency housing funds — every Ohio county has one. In addition, Ohio has a strong Community Action Agency network that receives state and federal emergency funds.
Always call 211 first — Ohio 211 connects you to programs in your specific county with real-time availability.
Ohio State Programs Supporting Hotel Assistance
Ohio Department of Development (ODOD)
ODOD administers the federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program in Ohio, distributing funds to local organizations providing emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and homelessness prevention — including hotel placements in some areas.
ODOD contact: 614-466-2285 Website: development.ohio.gov
Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA)
OHFA funds affordable housing programs statewide and some emergency assistance programs. Their Housing Assistance Fund provides emergency help for households at risk of homelessness.
OHFA contact: 614-387-2863 Website: ohiohome.org
Ohio Community Services Association (OCSA)
OCSA oversees Ohio’s network of Community Action Agencies — the primary local administrators of emergency housing funds including hotel placements across all 88 counties.
Website: ohiocsa.org
To find your local Community Action Agency: call 211 or visit ohiocsa.org.
Who Provides Hotel Vouchers in Ohio by Region
Columbus and Central Ohio (Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield counties)
Columbus is Ohio’s fastest-growing city and has invested significantly in its homelessness response system.
Community Shelter Board (CSB) Lead CoC agency coordinating all homeless services in Franklin County. CSB manages Columbus’s coordinated entry system.
- Phone: 614-221-8889
- Address: 111 E Lincoln St, Columbus, OH 43215
- Website: csb.org
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM; call 211 after hours
Faith Mission Comprehensive shelter and services for men, women, and families in Columbus.
- Men’s shelter: 614-224-6617 | 315 E Long St, Columbus, OH 43215
- Women and families: 614-224-7861 | 74 S 4th St, Columbus, OH 43215
- Website: faithmission.net
- Intake: 24 hours
The Salvation Army of Central Ohio Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 614-221-5411
- Address: 845 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43215
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Catholic Social Services of Franklin County Emergency assistance including housing help for anyone in need.
- Phone: 614-221-5891
- Website: columbuscatholiccharities.org
YMCA of Central Ohio Family Center Emergency shelter for families in Columbus.
- Phone: 614-228-0588
Franklin County DJFS County emergency housing funds for Franklin County residents.
- Phone: 614-233-2000
Cleveland and Northeast Ohio (Cuyahoga, Lake, Lorain, Geauga counties)
Cuyahoga County CoC / Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) Lead CoC and advocacy organization for the Cleveland area.
- Phone: 216-432-0540
- Website: neoch.org
Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) Hotline Emergency housing referrals for the Cleveland area.
- Phone: 216-432-0540 or call 211
2-1-1 First Call For Help (Cuyahoga County) Call 211 for real-time emergency housing referrals across Cuyahoga and surrounding counties.
Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 216-861-8060
- Address: 4187 Fulton Rd, Cleveland, OH 44144
Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 216-334-2900
- Website: ccdocle.org
FrontLine Service Emergency housing and rapid rehousing for Cleveland residents.
- Phone: 216-391-3290
- Website: frontlineservice.org
Cuyahoga County DJFS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 216-987-6900
Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio (Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont counties)
Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless (GCCH) Lead CoC agency for the Cincinnati area.
- Phone: 513-721-0760
- Website: gcch.org
Shelterhouse Largest comprehensive homeless service provider in Cincinnati, serving men, women, and families.
- Phone: 513-621-7500
- Address: 101 W 14th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Website: shelterhouse.org
- Intake: 24 hours
The Salvation Army of Greater Cincinnati Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 513-762-5660
- Address: 4115 Reading Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45229
Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 513-241-7745
- Website: ccswo.org
Community Action Agency Hamilton County Emergency housing funds including hotel placements.
- Phone: 513-569-1840
- Website: caaofhc.org
Hamilton County DJFS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 513-946-1000
See our city guide: Hotel Vouchers for Homeless in Cincinnati
Dayton and Southwest-Central Ohio (Montgomery, Greene, Clark counties)
Dayton CoC / St. Vincent de Paul Society of Dayton Coordinates homeless services and emergency housing in the Dayton area.
- Phone: 937-222-5555
- Website: svdpdayton.org
Homefull Comprehensive homeless services including emergency shelter and housing in Dayton.
- Phone: 937-853-1420
- Website: homefull.org
The Salvation Army of Dayton Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 937-222-6010
- Address: 601 S Grafton Ave, Dayton, OH 45403
Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley Emergency assistance including housing help.
- Phone: 937-223-7217
- Website: cssmv.org
Montgomery County DJFS County emergency housing funds.
- Phone: 937-225-4000
Toledo and Northwest Ohio (Lucas, Wood, Ottawa counties)
Toledo CoC / Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board Coordinates emergency housing resources in the Toledo area.
- Phone: 419-246-8187
- Website: toledolucashomelessboard.com
Harbor Comprehensive homeless services including emergency shelter and housing in Toledo.
- Phone: 419-244-8929
- Website: harborohio.org
The Salvation Army of Toledo Emergency housing assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 419-242-9511
- Address: 620 N Erie St, Toledo, OH 43604
Connecting Point Northwest Ohio Emergency assistance including hotel placements.
- Phone: 419-241-3235
Lucas County DJFS County emergency housing assistance.
- Phone: 419-213-8800
Akron and Northeast-Central Ohio (Summit, Stark, Portage counties)
Summit County CoC / Akron-Summit CoC Coordinates homeless services in Summit County.
- Phone: 330-376-6161
Haven of Rest Ministries Emergency shelter and housing services in Akron.
- Phone: 330-535-1563
- Website: havenofrest.org
The Salvation Army of Akron Emergency assistance including hotel vouchers.
- Phone: 330-762-8481
Community Support Services Akron Emergency housing and supportive services.
- Phone: 330-535-4116
Rural and Appalachian Ohio
Rural Ohio — particularly the Appalachian counties of Southeast Ohio — has significantly fewer formal hotel voucher programs than urban areas. In these communities:
- Your county DJFS office is the primary resource — every Ohio county has one. Find yours at jfs.ohio.gov
- Community Action Agencies serve all 88 Ohio counties — call 211 for your local CAA
- Local churches — in Appalachian Ohio, faith communities are often the primary emergency resource
- Southeastern Ohio CoC serves Athens, Morgan, Meigs, Vinton, and surrounding Appalachian counties
Who Qualifies for Hotel Vouchers in Ohio
| Priority Group | Ohio-Specific Notes |
|---|---|
| People sleeping outside or in vehicles | Highest priority statewide |
| Families with children | Top priority; county DJFS can sometimes authorize placements |
| Domestic violence survivors | Ohio DV Network: 1-800-934-9840 |
| Veterans | Strong VA resources in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton |
| Seniors (60+) | Priority in most county and nonprofit programs |
| Youth ages 18–24 | Covenant House Ohio (Cleveland), city-specific youth programs |
| Couples | Hotel placements address gender-separated shelter barriers |
| People with pets | Limited — call 211 specifically; some Ohio programs have options |
| Rural and Appalachian residents | County DJFS and CAAs are primary resources |
| People in recovery | Some Ohio programs require sobriety; others are low-barrier |
How to Get a Hotel Voucher in Ohio — Step by Step
Step 1: Call 211 — available 24 hours across all 88 Ohio counties. Give your city or county and explain your situation.
Step 2: If you are in Columbus, call Community Shelter Board at 614-221-8889 or Faith Mission at 614-224-6617.
Step 3: If you are in Cleveland, call NEOCH at 216-432-0540 or the Salvation Army at 216-861-8060.
Step 4: If you are in Cincinnati, call Shelterhouse at 513-621-7500 or Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless at 513-721-0760.
Step 5: If you are in Dayton, call Homefull at 937-853-1420 or St. Vincent de Paul at 937-222-5555.
Step 6: Contact your county DJFS office — particularly if you have children.
Step 7: If you are a veteran, call 877-424-3838 immediately.
City-Specific Hotel Voucher Guide in Ohio
More Ohio city guides coming soon. Call 211 for immediate referrals anywhere in Ohio.
What to Do During Your Ohio Hotel Placement
Apply for food assistance immediately: Apply for Ohio SNAP (food stamps) at benefits.ohio.gov or call 1-844-640-6446. With zero income you qualify for maximum benefits and expedited 7-day processing. See our guide on how to apply for SNAP when homeless.
Apply for Medicaid: Apply at benefits.ohio.gov. Ohio Medicaid covers healthcare including mental health and substance use treatment.
Enter coordinated entry: Call 211 or your local CoC to enter Ohio’s coordinated entry system — your pathway to rapid rehousing and permanent housing.
Apply for rapid rehousing: Call 211 and ask for rapid rehousing referrals. Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dayton all have active rapid rehousing programs. See our emergency rental assistance guide for another immediate option.
Apply for Section 8: Contact your local Ohio PHA. Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority: 614-421-6000. Ohio PHAs have long waitlists — apply now and to multiple PHAs simultaneously. See our Section 8 guide and browse all housing voucher programs for additional options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a free hotel voucher for homeless in Ohio?
Call 211 from anywhere in Ohio — available 24 hours across all 88 counties. Tell the operator your city or county and that you need emergency hotel or motel assistance. In Columbus, contact Community Shelter Board at 614-221-8889. In Cleveland, call NEOCH at 216-432-0540. In Cincinnati, call Shelterhouse at 513-621-7500. Your county DJFS office is also a key resource.
Does Ohio have a statewide hotel voucher program?
No. Ohio does not have a single statewide hotel voucher program. Emergency hotel assistance is funded and administered locally through county DJFS offices, Community Action Agencies, CoCs, and nonprofits. Resources vary significantly across Ohio’s 88 counties — call 211 for what is available in your specific area.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless families in Ohio?
Yes. Families with children are the top priority across Ohio’s emergency housing programs. County DJFS offices can sometimes authorize emergency hotel placements for families in crisis. Call 211 and specify that you have children. Faith Mission (Columbus), Shelterhouse (Cincinnati), and other Ohio shelter organizations specifically prioritize families.
Can I get a hotel voucher in Ohio without ID?
Many Ohio programs serve people without identification, particularly low-barrier programs. Do not let lack of ID prevent you from calling 211. Free Ohio ID programs are available through the Ohio BMV — ask 211 for local ID assistance resources in your county.
Are there hotel vouchers for homeless veterans in Ohio?
Yes — veterans should call 877-424-3838 rather than general 211 lines. Ohio has VA resources in Columbus (Chalmers P. Wylie VA), Cleveland (Louis Stokes VA), Cincinnati (Cincinnati VA Medical Center), Dayton (Dayton VA Medical Center), and other cities with dedicated homeless veteran programs including HUD-VASH and SSVF rapid rehousing.
What if I am homeless in rural or Appalachian Ohio?
Rural and Appalachian Ohio have fewer formal hotel voucher programs than urban areas. Your primary resources are your county DJFS office, your local Community Action Agency (find through 211 or ohiocsa.org), and local churches. In Southeast Ohio’s Appalachian counties, faith communities are often the main source of emergency hotel assistance. Call 211 — operators know rural-area resources not publicly listed online.
Are there hotel vouchers specifically for youth in Ohio?
Yes. Covenant House Ohio in Cleveland serves youth ages 18–21 experiencing homelessness. Call 216-436-5000 or visit 2516 Carnegie Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115. Other Ohio cities have youth-specific programs — call 211 and ask specifically for youth emergency housing resources.
How long do hotel vouchers last in Ohio?
Most Ohio emergency placements last 1–7 nights, with possible extensions while longer-term housing is arranged. Some programs in Columbus and Cleveland offer longer placements for families or people with complex needs. Use your stay to connect with a case manager and apply for rapid rehousing immediately — do not wait until your last night.