Where to Go for an Emergency Housing Voucher (And How to Start)

Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs) are a special type of Section 8 voucher that help people who are homeless or at serious risk of homelessness. HowToGetAssistance.org only provides general information; you must go through official agencies or portals to apply or check status.

EHVs are limited and not available in every area, but you can usually get information or start the process through your local public housing agency (PHA) and your community homelessness services providers.

Quick Summary: Where People Typically Get Emergency Housing Vouchers

Main gatekeeper: Your local Public Housing Agency (PHA) that runs Section 8/Housing Choice Vouchers.
Referral source (most areas): A homelessness response system (like a Continuum of Care, shelter, or outreach program), not walk-in self-referral.
First calls to make:211, your local PHA, or your local homeless/continuum of care office.
Key limits: EHVs are time-limited and funding-limited; not everyone who qualifies will receive one.
Backup: Ask about regular Housing Choice Vouchers, rapid rehousing, and emergency rental assistance if EHVs are closed or full.

1. Fast Answer: Who Actually Gives Out Emergency Housing Vouchers?

EHVs are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) but are administered locally. You do not get an EHV directly from HUD; you typically get one through a local Public Housing Agency (also called a housing authority) that received EHV funding.

In many communities, you cannot just walk into the housing authority and request an EHV; you must be referred by an approved partner, usually part of the local homelessness response system (such as shelters, outreach teams, or victim service providers).

Because rules and availability vary by city and county, start by finding your local PHA using HUD’s official tool on the HUD “Public Housing Agencies” page and checking whether they list Emergency Housing Vouchers or can direct you to the current referral process.

2. Does an Emergency Housing Voucher Apply to You?

EHVs are targeted; they are not a general low-income housing benefit. While exact criteria can vary somewhat by community, EHVs are typically reserved for people who are:

Experiencing homelessness (shelter, street, vehicle, or other places not meant for habitation).
At risk of homelessness, such as facing an imminent eviction with no safe backup options.
Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking.
Recently homeless and at high risk of returning to homelessness without help.

Local agencies usually must follow HUD’s definitions of “homeless” and “at risk of homelessness,” but they may also set priorities (for example, focusing on people with the highest vulnerability or longest history of homelessness when vouchers are scarce).

You do not have to be receiving other benefits (like TANF or SNAP) to be considered, but income limits still apply, and documentation of your housing situation is commonly required.

Short Terms Callout (Plain Language)

Public Housing Agency (PHA): Local office (housing authority) that runs Section 8 and public housing.
Continuum of Care (CoC): Community network that coordinates homeless services (shelters, outreach, housing programs).
Referral: When one agency (for example, a shelter) sends your information to the PHA for an EHV.
EHVs vs. regular vouchers: EHVs are time-limited, targeted vouchers; regular vouchers are broader but often have long waitlists.

3. Your Next Steps: How to Start the EHV Process

Because EHVs flow through multiple agencies, it helps to follow a step-by-step path instead of calling random offices.

Step 1: Find Your Local Housing Authority

Go to HUD’s “Public Housing Agencies” search tool on the official HUD site (hud.gov).
Search by your city, county, or ZIP code to find your local Public Housing Agency.
Write down or save: the PHA’s name, main phone number, and website.

What to ask when you call or email the PHA:

Step 2: Connect With the Local Homelessness Response System

In many areas, the PHA will tell you that EHVs require a referral from a homelessness service provider or Coordinated Entry system.

Common places that can often start or connect you to an EHV referral:

Coordinated Entry / access point (sometimes run by the Continuum of Care).
Emergency shelters and domestic violence shelters.
Street outreach teams or day centers.
Local nonprofit homelessness agencies partnering with the PHA.

If you don’t know who these are in your area, you can:

Call 211 (or visit the official 211 website) and say you need homeless services or Coordinated Entry.
Ask specifically: “Which agency handles referrals for Emergency Housing Vouchers or similar homeless housing programs here?”

What to expect next:
Typically, you will be scheduled for an intake or assessment, either in person or by phone, where they ask about your current living situation, safety, income, and housing history to determine which programs fit, including EHVs if open.

Step 3: Prepare Basic Information and Documents

You do not usually need everything at the first contact, but having common items ready can reduce delays:

ID: Government-issued photo ID if you have it.
Proof of homelessness or housing crisis, such as eviction papers, shelter verification, a letter from a case worker, or a notice from a landlord.
Social Security numbers (or documents showing you have applied) for household members, when applicable.
Income information: Recent pay stubs, benefit letters (SSI, SSDI, unemployment), or statements of no income.

One frequent snag is delays because staff have to keep chasing missing paperwork; asking early, “What documents will you need from me for an EHV referral or housing program?” can help you avoid repeated trips.

Step 4: Ask About Timelines and Other Options

EHVs are funding-limited and, in some areas, already fully assigned. When you speak with a PHA or homeless service provider, ask:

“Are Emergency Housing Vouchers still available here?”
“If not, can you connect me to other housing programs, like regular vouchers, rapid rehousing, or emergency rental assistance?”
“If I complete an assessment, will I be placed on a list, and how will I be contacted?”

What to expect next:
You may be placed on a prioritization list, and if selected for an EHV, the PHA will schedule an appointment or send paperwork to formally determine eligibility, inspect the unit you find, and issue the voucher.

4. What You’ll Need Ready (and What Usually Happens After Referral)

Once a homelessness service provider or Coordinated Entry system refers you to the PHA for an EHV, the housing authority typically handles the formal eligibility process.

You should be prepared for:

Formal application forms: Often similar to regular Section 8 applications.
Verification of income and household composition: Birth certificates, Social Security cards (where available), benefit letters, etc.
Background checks: PHAs commonly check for certain criminal history and prior program fraud; rules vary but are not identical everywhere.
Briefings: Many PHAs require a voucher briefing to explain how to search for a unit, payment standards, deadlines to find housing, and your responsibilities.

What to expect after you are issued an EHV, if approved:

You are usually given a limited amount of time to find a unit whose rent fits the payment standard and passes inspection.
The voucher typically pays part of the rent directly to the landlord, and you pay the rest, based on your income.
If you cannot find a unit in time, you may be able to request an extension, but this depends on local policy and funding.

No agency can promise that an EHV will be issued quickly, or at all; the process depends on funding, local priorities, and available landlords willing to accept vouchers.

5. Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Any time housing assistance and vouchers are involved, scams are common. Use these checks to stay safer:

Never pay a fee to “apply for” or “speed up” an Emergency Housing Voucher—legitimate EHVs are free to apply for through PHAs and partner agencies.
Apply or share sensitive information only through official channels, such as a .gov website, a known local housing authority, or a verified nonprofit partner.
Be cautious of people online promising “guaranteed approval,” “express vouchers,” or asking for gift cards, wire transfers, or cash.
If something feels off, call your local PHA directly using contact information from HUD or your city/county website to confirm whether an offer is legitimate.

If you are unsure whether a site or program is official, ask:

6. If Emergency Housing Vouchers Aren’t Available

In many areas, EHV funding is limited and may already be fully used. That does not necessarily mean there is no help:

Other programs to ask about when you talk to 211, the PHA, or a homeless service provider:

Regular Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers, including waitlist options or special priority categories.
Public housing units or other subsidized housing developments.
Rapid rehousing (short- to medium-term rental help plus case management).
Emergency rental assistance or eviction prevention funds through city, county, or state programs.
Domestic violence-specific housing programs if you are fleeing abuse.
Street outreach, shelter, or motel vouchers as temporary options while working toward more stable housing.

If an office tells you they do not handle EHVs, ask:

Once you have made contact with at least one official housing authority and one homeless services provider or 211, you are typically in the right system to learn whether Emergency Housing Vouchers are available and what other housing programs you can be connected to.