Finding safe shelter is one of the most urgent needs for people experiencing homelessness. In Cincinnati, Ohio, hotel and motel voucher programs offer temporary relief, providing individuals and families with a safe place to stay while they seek long-term housing solutions. Here is a detailed guide on how these programs work, who qualifies, and where to find help.
What Are Hotel Vouchers?
Hotel vouchers are short-term emergency assistance provided by local organizations, shelters, or agencies. They cover the cost of staying in a hotel or motel for a limited time, usually when shelters are full or when specific circumstances (such as families with older children or disaster displacement) make traditional shelters unsuitable.
Best Places to find Hotel Vouchers for Homeless Cincinnati, Ohio
Several nonprofit organizations and community programs in Cincinnati work with individuals and families experiencing homelessness and can provide hotel accommodations or emergency housing assistance when needed.
1. Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA)
The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) does not directly manage a motel voucher program in the traditional sense, but it does administer Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) funded by HUD’s American Rescue Plan. These vouchers can sometimes be used to obtain temporary accommodations, such as hotels or motels, when coordinated through local partner agencies.
- While EHVs are primarily intended for long-term rental housing, partner agencies may use hotel or motel accommodations for short-term stays as a temporary measure until permanent housing is secured.
- Families with children, individuals fleeing unsafe environments, or people displaced by disasters may be given priority for hotel vouchers.
- These placements are typically coordinated through case managers who connect clients with the CMHA voucher system.
Eligibility:
- Individuals currently experiencing homelessness
- Individuals at risk of homelessness
- Survivors of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking
- Individuals who have recently become homeless and need support for stable housing
2. American Red Cross – Cincinnati Chapter
The American Red Cross – Cincinnati Chapter offers hotel or motel vouchers, but these are generally reserved for individuals displaced by emergencies such as fires, floods, or other disasters.
Eligibility: Primarily for individuals and families who have lost their homes due to disasters. For example, if a fire destroys a home, the Red Cross can provide temporary housing assistance.
After a disaster, emergency services typically notify the Red Cross, but individuals can also contact them directly. The Cincinnati Area Section is part of the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State Section, which coordinates disaster relief in Hamilton County and surrounding areas.
3. Bethany House Services
Bethany House Services focuses on assisting families experiencing homelessness in Cincinnati. The organization provides emergency shelter and, on occasion, arranges temporary hotel stays if families cannot immediately find accommodation at their facilities. They offer:
Emergency Shelter: When regular shelter space is unavailable or unsuitable, Bethany House places families in local hotels/motels.
Case Management: Families are required to actively search for employment and housing on a daily basis, while receiving support from case managers.
Transitional Housing: Long-term options are available for families seeking stability.
Support Services: These include housing search, job assistance, and comprehensive services to help families find permanent housing.
These vouchers were offered to:
- Single women without children
- Women with children
- Parents and children over 12 years old (who cannot stay in traditional shelters)
4. Interfaith Hospitality Network (Family Shelter)
The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati (IHNGC), now known as Found House IHN, provides emergency shelter to homeless families. While its primary model relies on congregational partners who provide lodging and meals, they also offer hotel or motel stays when space is unavailable in congregations or shelters. Their services include:
Emergency Shelter Program: Local congregations house families, who receive meals and lodging.
Hotel/Motel Vouchers: These are used as an alternative when congregational housing is full or unsuitable. This ensures that families do not go without accommodation.
Day center: provides access to showers, laundry, case management, and housing navigation.
Call 513.381.SAFE (7233) or text 513.970.1515 to request emergency shelter placement.
Address: 1836 Fairmount Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45214
Phone: 513.471.1100
Website: https://www.foundhouse.org/
5. The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army’s Southwest Ohio and Northeast Kentucky Division offers emergency housing assistance, which may include temporary shelter and, in some cases, motel vouchers for people experiencing homelessness. Who qualifies?
- People experiencing homelessness due to crisis situations (eviction, unsafe living conditions, sudden displacement).
- Families with children in need of immediate shelter.
- People fleeing domestic violence or other unsafe environments.
Local shelters that can connect people with hotel vouchers.
In many cases, people receive hotel vouchers after first contacting a local shelter or support center. Staff assess the situation and determine if vouchers or other housing options are available.
Some major shelters in the Cincinnati area include:
Shelterhouse: One of the city’s largest providers of services for people experiencing homelessness, offering emergency shelter and housing assistance.
City Gospel Mission: Offers shelter programs, meals, and support services for people experiencing homelessness.
Esther Marie Hatton Center for Women: A shelter that supports homeless women and connects them with resources.
These organizations often collaborate with local agencies to help people find emergency housing solutions.
How to Apply for a Hotel Voucher in Cincinnati
If you need emergency housing in Cincinnati, the following steps may be helpful:
- Contact a local shelter or social services organization.
- Call 211 to find available housing resources in the area.
- Visit a nonprofit organization such as the Salvation Army or Bethany House Services.
- Speak with a social worker or case manager who can assess your eligibility.
Many programs prioritize families with children, seniors, people with disabilities, or people in imminent danger.
Final Tips
Keep important documents (ID, medical records, proof of homelessness) on hand for admission.
Ask case managers about transitional housing programs to avoid returning to homelessness once your vouchers expire.
Explore support services, such as food assistance, job placement, and counseling, offered by partner agencies.
