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Accessing government assistance for homeless individuals and families can feel overwhelming, especially during a housing crisis. A complex network of federal, state, and local programs exists to provide support, from immediate emergency shelter to long-term stable housing.
Understanding how this system works is the first step toward finding the help you need. Resources are available across various government departments, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), each offering targeted aid for housing, food, healthcare, and overall stability.
When facing an immediate housing crisis, the priority is to connect with resources that can provide safety and meet basic needs tonight. The system is designed with a critical triage layer to ensure that anyone in a state of emergency can find help quickly without needing to navigate complex government agencies first. This initial support for shelter, food, and health is often available separately from long-term housing programs, allowing for rapid response to urgent situations.
Your First Call: Connecting with 2-1-1 and Emergency Hotlines
The most direct and effective first step for anyone experiencing or at risk of homelessness is to contact 2-1-1. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 in most communities across the country. By simply dialing 2-1-1, you connect with a trained specialist who can assess your specific situation and provide referrals to local social services, including emergency shelters, food pantries, healthcare providers, and other essential resources.
This service acts as a centralized, human-centered "front door" to the fragmented landscape of local aid, a design that acknowledges the difficulty of navigating bureaucracy during a crisis. In addition to 2-1-1, several national hotlines offer specialized, confidential support for specific circumstances:
Finding Emergency Shelter and Essential Services
For those needing a safe place to stay immediately, emergency shelters are a primary resource. The 2-1-1 service is the best way to get a referral to a local shelter with available space. You can also find local providers by contacting your community's Continuum of Care (CoC), the local body that coordinates homeless services.
Emergency shelters typically provide a temporary place to sleep, meals, access to showers, and connections to other critical services. Many communities have specialized shelters to meet the needs of specific populations, such as:
During extreme weather conditions, such as winter months, many cities expand their shelter capacity to ensure more people can come inside.
Immediate Food and Health Resources
Meeting basic needs for food and healthcare is possible even without a permanent address. These resources are designed to be accessible to ensure survival and well-being while you work toward securing stable housing.
Food Assistance
Several federal programs can provide immediate and ongoing food assistance:
Healthcare
Access to healthcare is a right, regardless of your housing situation. Several options are available for free or low-cost medical care:
Navigating government assistance requires understanding its fundamental structure: it is a system of federally funded programs that are managed and delivered at the local level. Success in accessing housing and services depends on connecting with the correct local agencies that act as the gateway to these resources. The system is not first-come, first-served; it uses a coordinated process to prioritize help for the most vulnerable individuals and families.
The "Front Door": Understanding the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program
The cornerstone of the U.S. homeless assistance system is the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program, mandated by HUD. A CoC is not a single office but a regional or local planning body—a network of nonprofit organizations, state and local government agencies, and other stakeholders—that works together to coordinate housing and services for people experiencing homelessness in a specific geographic area. This decentralized model ensures that the response to homelessness is tailored to local needs while being supported by federal strategy and funding.
The CoC network is responsible for managing a range of services funded by HUD, including street outreach, emergency shelter, transitional housing, and permanent housing solutions. To ensure that limited resources are distributed equitably and effectively, CoCs use a process called Coordinated Entry. This is the standardized intake and assessment process used to evaluate the needs and vulnerability of individuals and families seeking assistance.
Based on this assessment, the CoC prioritizes those with the most severe needs for available housing and services. This systemic approach of prioritization explains why there is an assessment process rather than a simple waiting list and helps manage expectations about the timeline for receiving aid.
Your Local Connection: Finding Your Community's CoC and Service Providers
The single most important step to accessing most federal housing assistance programs is to connect with your local CoC. HUD provides an online Find Homeless Assistance tool where you can locate the designated contact organization for your area by selecting your state from a map or dropdown menu.
Once you have identified your local CoC's lead agency or a designated access point, you should call or visit them to begin the Coordinated Entry process. This intake will involve answering detailed questions about your situation, health, and history of homelessness. While this can feel intrusive, it is a necessary step for the system to understand your level of need and match you with the most appropriate resources available. This local CoC connection is the primary pathway to accessing programs like Emergency Solutions Grants and Emergency Housing Vouchers.
The Role of Public Housing Authorities (PHAs)
Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) are local government agencies responsible for administering federal housing programs for low-income residents. Their primary role is to manage Public Housing developments and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program.
PHAs and CoCs are critical partners in the homeless assistance system. While the CoC coordinates the crisis response and referral process, the PHA administers the long-term rental subsidies. For example, when a person is prioritized for an Emergency Housing Voucher or a HUD-VASH voucher through the CoC's Coordinated Entry system, they are referred to the local PHA, which then issues and manages the voucher. This partnership ensures that those most in need are connected with the available long-term housing resources.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds several core programs that form the foundation of the nation's response to homelessness. These programs are designed to follow a logical progression, moving individuals and families from an immediate housing crisis toward long-term stability. Understanding the purpose and access point for each program is crucial for navigating the path to a permanent home.
Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG): Preventing and Ending Homelessness
The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program is a key federal funding stream that HUD provides to states, cities, and counties, which in turn distribute the funds to local nonprofit organizations within the CoC network. It is designed to be a flexible resource that communities can use to address the immediate needs of people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Individuals do not apply for ESG funds directly; instead, they access services from the local organizations funded by the program.
ESG funds support four primary activities:
Access to all ESG-funded assistance is through the local CoC's Coordinated Entry system.
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV)
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, commonly known as Section 8, is the federal government's largest program for helping very low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities afford safe and decent housing in the private market. A PHA issues a voucher to an eligible family, who then finds their own rental unit from a private landlord. The PHA pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord, and the family pays the difference, typically around 30% of their monthly income.
Due to high demand, waiting lists for standard HCVs are often very long, sometimes lasting for years. To address the urgent needs of those in a housing crisis, the American Rescue Plan Act authorized Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV). These vouchers are specifically for individuals and families who are:
A critical distinction exists in how these vouchers are accessed. Applications for the standard HCV program are managed directly by the local PHA, which typically opens its waiting list only periodically. In contrast, EHVs are accessed only through a direct referral from the local CoC's Coordinated Entry system. It is important to note that the EHV program was a temporary initiative, and the authority for PHAs to issue new EHVs upon turnover ended on September 30, 2023, making new vouchers very limited.
Public Housing and Other Subsidized Rental Options
In addition to vouchers, there are other forms of subsidized rental housing:
| Program Name | Primary Goal | Type of Assistance | Who It Helps | How to Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) | To address immediate housing crises and prevent homelessness. | Funding for street outreach, emergency shelter, prevention, and rapid re-housing services. | Individuals and families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. | Through the local CoC's Coordinated Entry system. |
| Housing Choice Voucher (HCV / Section 8) | To provide long-term rental affordability in the private market. | Tenant-based rental subsidy paid directly to a private landlord. | Very low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. | Apply directly at the local Public Housing Authority (PHA); long waiting lists are common. |
| Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) | To provide immediate, long-term housing for those in a severe housing crisis. | Tenant-based rental subsidy, same as a standard HCV. | Individuals and families who are homeless, at risk, or fleeing violence/trafficking. | Only through a direct referral from the local CoC's Coordinated Entry system. |
| Public Housing | To provide long-term, affordable rental housing. | A subsidized rental unit in a property owned and managed by the PHA. | Low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. | Apply directly at the local Public Housing Authority (PHA); waiting lists are common. |
The federal government provides a dedicated and more integrated system of support for veterans experiencing homelessness, recognizing the unique challenges they may face. This system is primarily coordinated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in close partnership with HUD.
For veterans, the most effective starting point is not the local CoC, but rather their nearest VA Medical Center or the VA's national hotline. This streamlined pathway connects them to a suite of programs that combine housing assistance with the clinical care and supportive services they have earned.
HUD-VASH: Housing Vouchers and Clinical Support
The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program is the cornerstone of the federal strategy to end veteran homelessness. It is a collaborative effort that pairs a HUD Housing Choice Voucher with comprehensive case management and clinical services provided by the VA. This integrated model is highly effective because it addresses the root causes of homelessness often faced by veterans, such as post-traumatic stress, substance use disorders, or other health conditions, at the same time that it provides stable housing.
Under HUD-VASH, a veteran receives a voucher to rent a unit in the private market, while a dedicated VA case manager provides ongoing support to help them maintain their housing and achieve their personal goals. To access the HUD-VASH program, veterans should contact the homeless program coordinator at their nearest VA Medical Center or call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838.
Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): Eviction Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing
The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program is a VA-funded grant program focused on prevention and rapid re-housing. The VA awards grants to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives across the country to provide services to very low-income veteran families who are currently housed but at risk of eviction, or who are already homeless.
SSVF providers offer a range of services tailored to each family's needs, including:
The goal is to provide a short-term intervention that helps veteran families gain or maintain permanent housing on a sustainable basis. Veterans can find a local SSVF provider through their VA Medical Center or by using the VA's resource locator tools.
Grant and Per Diem (GPD) and Domiciliary Care Programs
For veterans who may need a more structured or intensive living environment before moving to permanent housing, the VA offers residential programs:
Referrals to both GPD and Domiciliary Care programs are made through the VA's homeless services staff at local VA Medical Centers.
Youth and young adults experiencing homelessness face a unique set of challenges, often stemming from family conflict, trauma, or involvement in the foster care system. Federal programs designed for this population focus not just on providing shelter, but also on fostering positive development, building life skills, and creating pathways to education and employment. These programs recognize that intervention must be holistic and preventative to stop the cycle of homelessness before it becomes chronic.
Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Programs (HHS)
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB), funds a critical network of Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Programs. These grants support local community-based organizations in providing services tailored to the needs of young people up to age 22. The RHY system is composed of three core components:
Youth seeking help can connect with these services by calling the National Runaway Safe line at 1-800-786-2929, which provides confidential support and referrals to local RHY-funded programs.
The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) (HUD)
The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is a HUD initiative designed to foster innovation in how communities respond to youth homelessness. HUD selects a number of communities across the country to receive funding and technical assistance to develop and implement a coordinated community plan to prevent and end youth homelessness.
A key feature of YHDP is its emphasis on collaboration and youth voice. Selected communities are required to establish Youth Action Boards (YABs), composed of young people with lived experience of homelessness, to ensure that the system is designed and implemented in a way that is responsive to their needs. YHDP funds a variety of innovative housing models, including rapid re-housing, joint transitional housing-rapid re-housing, and host homes, all guided by principles of Positive Youth Development and Trauma-Informed Care. Individuals access these services through the local providers within a YHDP-designated community.
Support for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care (Family Unification Program - FUP)
The Family Unification Program (FUP) provides Housing Choice Vouchers to two specific populations, one of which is youth aging out of foster care. This program is a critical resource for young people who are at high risk of homelessness upon exiting the child welfare system.
Under FUP, vouchers are available to youth who are at least 18 years old and not more than 24 years old, and who have left foster care or will leave foster care within 90 days. The program is a collaboration between local PHAs and Public Child Welfare Agencies (PCWAs). To be eligible, a youth must be referred to the PHA by the PCWA, which certifies their status. This cross-system partnership is designed to create a stable housing foundation for young people as they transition to adulthood.
The federal government recognizes that a one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient to end homelessness. Many individuals and families face unique barriers that require specialized support. Consequently, an ecosystem of targeted programs exists to address the intersection of homelessness with other life crises, such as chronic health conditions, behavioral health challenges, or domestic violence. These programs often integrate housing assistance with other benefit systems to provide more comprehensive and effective care.
Support for Families with Children (CalWORKs Homeless Assistance as a model)
While general programs like ESG and HCV serve families with children, some states offer additional housing assistance that is "braided" with other public benefit programs. A prime example is the CalWORKs Homeless Assistance (HA) Program in California. This program is available to families who are receiving or are eligible for CalWORKs, which is California's Temporary Assistance for needy Families (TANF) program.
The CalWORKs HA program provides direct financial assistance to:
This model of embedding housing assistance within a broader welfare program creates a more streamlined process for eligible families. To access this type of aid, families apply through their local county welfare or social services office as part of their overall CalWORKs case. It is advisable to inquire with your state's TANF agency to see if similar housing support programs are available.
Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)
The Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program is the only federal program dedicated solely to addressing the housing needs of low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Administered by HUD, HOPWA provides grants to local communities and nonprofit organizations to offer a range of housing solutions and supportive services.
The fundamental goal of HOPWA is to provide housing stability, which is critical for individuals with HIV/AIDS to access consistent medical care and adhere to complex treatment regimens. HOPWA-funded assistance can include:
To access HOPWA assistance, individuals should connect with a local HOPWA grantee. HUD provides a directory of grantees on the HUD Exchange website.
Behavioral Health and Substance Use Support (SAMHSA Programs)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within HHS, funds several grant programs aimed at providing treatment and recovery services for individuals experiencing homelessness who have mental and/or substance use disorders. These programs recognize that housing stability is often unattainable without addressing underlying behavioral health conditions.
SAMHSA-funded programs, such as the Grants for the Benefit of Homeless Individuals (GBHI) and Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH), support a variety of services, including:
These services are delivered by local behavioral health providers who often work in close partnership with the local CoC to coordinate care and housing.
Help for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Trafficking
Many federal homeless assistance programs include specific provisions to protect and support individuals fleeing violence. The Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) program prioritizes individuals and families who are fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking.
Additionally, the HHS Family Violence Prevention and Services Grant Program provides core funding for emergency shelters and related supportive services for victims of family violence and their dependents. These programs are critical lifelines that provide not just shelter, but also safety, counseling, and legal advocacy.
Beyond direct housing subsidies and services, the federal government's strategy to address homelessness includes building the capacity of local communities and empowering individuals to achieve long-term self-sufficiency. These broader resources support the entire homeless assistance system by creating the physical infrastructure for services and providing pathways to economic stability, which is the ultimate solution to preventing a return to homelessness.
Title V Program: Using Surplus Federal Property for Homeless Services
The Title V Surplus Property Program is an innovative and cost-effective initiative established under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This program allows state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations, to acquire unutilized, underutilized, excess, or surplus federal properties at no cost for use in assisting people experiencing homelessness.
Under this program, HUD is responsible for identifying suitable properties, while HHS manages the application process for interested organizations. These properties—which can include land, office buildings, or former military barracks—are repurposed to become emergency shelters, transitional housing facilities, food banks, clothing depots, job training centers, and administrative offices for service providers.
While individuals cannot apply for a Title V property directly, this program is a vital resource that creates the very facilities and service centers they rely on in their communities, leveraging existing federal assets to meet critical social needs.
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is a flexible grant administered by HHS that provides core funding to a national network of over 1,000 local Community Action Agencies (CAAs). These agencies are tasked with developing and implementing a wide range of services to reduce poverty at the local level.
Because of its flexibility, CSBG funding can be used to support many of the services that are essential for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, including housing assistance, employment support, nutrition programs, energy assistance, and other emergency services. CSBG strengthens the local nonprofit infrastructure that is on the front lines of delivering aid, ensuring these organizations have the capacity to respond to the diverse needs of their communities.
Workforce Development and Employment Training
Achieving and maintaining housing stability is intrinsically linked to economic stability. The federal government, through the Department of Labor (DOL), supports a nationwide network of resources to help individuals find employment and advance their careers. These services are available to all job seekers, including those experiencing homelessness.
Key resources include:
These employment resources are a critical component of the broader safety net, providing a pathway from homelessness to the self-sufficiency needed to remain permanently housed.
Coordinated Entry (CE) is the standardized process most communities use to access government assistance for homeless individuals. It involves a standard assessment that prioritizes households based on vulnerability, ensuring that limited resources like supportive housing and rapid re-housing are provided to those with the most severe needs first.
Yes. Federal regulations explicitly permit individuals experiencing homelessness to qualify for SNAP. Applicants do not need a fixed address; you can often use the address of a local shelter, a trusted community provider, or receive benefits via your EBT card even if you have no mailing address at all.
The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program is the primary government assistance program for homeless veterans. It combines a HUD Section 8 housing voucher with mandatory, ongoing case management and clinical health services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, ensuring veterans receive wrap-around support.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) funds the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program. This provides states with funds specifically for outreach, case management, and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness who also have serious mental illnesses or co-occurring substance use disorders.
Emergency Housing Vouchers are designated specifically for individuals who are currently homeless, at risk of homelessness, or fleeing violence. Unlike the traditional Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) program, which often uses a long lottery-based waitlist, EHVs are only accessible through a direct referral from your community's Coordinated Entry system.
SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery) is a federal program designed to expedite disability benefit applications for eligible homeless individuals. SOAR-trained case managers help navigate the complex Social Security application, significantly increasing the approval rate for critical disability income needed to secure stable housing.
The Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Program, managed by the Administration for Children and Families, funds community-based support. This government assistance provides grants for Basic Center Programs (immediate shelter), Street Outreach Programs, and Transitional Living Programs designed to stabilize unaccompanied youth under 22.
HUD defines "at risk" as having a low income and meeting specific criteria, such as receiving an eviction notice within 21 days or living temporarily with others due to economic hardship (sometimes called "couch surfing"). This definition allows certain prevention programs to offer government assistance before literal homelessness occurs.
The fastest way to access government-funded emergency shelter is by dialing 2-1-1 from any phone or contacting your region’s Continuum of Care (CoC). These systems manage the Coordinated Entry intake process, assess your immediate needs, and can connect you to available crisis shelter beds in your area.
Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) is a core government assistance strategy that quickly moves families and individuals from homelessness into their own rental housing. RRH provides temporary financial aid (like rent subsidies) and supportive case management. The primary goal is achieving housing stability first, rather than requiring program prerequisites before housing.
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