Finding Temporary Housing When You Need It Fast

When you need a place to stay for a few days, weeks, or months, “temporary housing” usually means a mix of government-funded options and community resources, not a single program. This commonly involves your local housing authority, county or city human services department, and sometimes emergency shelter or rapid rehousing programs run with federal HUD funds.

Quick summary: where temporary housing help usually comes from

  • Main government players: local housing authority and county/city human services or social services department
  • Short-term shelter: emergency shelters, domestic violence shelters, motel voucher programs
  • Short-term to medium-term housing: rapid rehousing, transitional housing, crisis bridge housing
  • Key first action:call or visit your local housing authority or human services office and ask for “emergency or temporary housing resources”
  • Typical follow-up: intake interview, documentation check, placement on shelter/temporary housing waitlists, and referrals to nonprofits
  • Watch for scams: only give documents or money to agencies and nonprofits that can be verified through .gov or well-known local networks

Main types of government-linked temporary housing

In real life, there is no single “Temporary Housing Program.” Instead, different programs cover specific situations and lengths of stay.

Common options include:

  • Emergency shelter – Short-term, often overnight or up to 90 days, usually for people currently homeless or fleeing danger; coordinated by continuum of care networks funded through HUD and often accessed through a local homeless services hotline or drop-in center.
  • Motel/hotel vouchers – Time-limited stays (often a few nights to a few weeks) paid by a county human services agency, local housing authority, or nonprofit, often for families with children, seniors, or people exiting hospitals or domestic violence.
  • Rapid rehousing – A HUD-funded program providing short to medium-term rental assistance (often 3–18 months) plus case management, meant to move people directly into a regular rental unit rather than shelter.
  • Transitional housing – Time-limited housing (often up to 24 months) with intensive services, common for people leaving shelters, domestic violence situations, or substance use treatment programs.
  • Disaster-related temporary housing – After floods, fires, or storms, state emergency management agencies and FEMA may provide temporary hotel stays or trailer units for people whose homes are uninhabitable.

Key terms to know:

  • Continuum of Care (CoC) — Local or regional network that coordinates homeless services and HUD-funded housing programs.
  • Shelter diversion — Help to stay temporarily with friends/family or in a motel instead of entering a shelter system.
  • Rapid rehousing — Short-term rental assistance plus services to help you quickly lease a regular apartment.
  • Transitional housing — Time-limited housing with support services, between shelter and permanent housing.

Because programs are usually local, exact names and rules vary by state, county, and city, even when federal funds are involved.

Where to go officially for temporary housing help

Most people enter temporary housing programs through two main system touchpoints:

  1. Local housing authority or public housing agency (PHA)

    • They often manage motel vouchers, rapid rehousing slots, or referrals to community programs.
    • Search for your city or county name + “housing authority .gov” and verify the site ends in .gov.

  2. County or city human services / social services department

    • Departments labeled Human Services, Social Services, Health and Human Services, or Community Services often run emergency assistance and homeless services.
    • Search for your county name + “human services .gov” or “social services .gov” and use the official portal or main phone line.

Additional government-related entry points that often connect to temporary housing:

  • Local 2-1-1 information line (in many states) – connects callers to shelters, voucher programs, and housing nonprofits.
  • VA medical centers or VA homeless outreach – for veterans, the Department of Veterans Affairs frequently coordinates HUD-VASH and other temporary housing resources.
  • State emergency management or disaster assistance offices – especially right after a declared disaster.

A practical next step you can take today is to call your county human services department and say:
“I’m currently without stable housing and need information on any emergency shelter, motel voucher, rapid rehousing, or temporary housing programs you can connect me with.”

What to prepare before you contact agencies

Even for emergency or temporary housing, agencies typically ask for proof of who you are and what’s happening to your current housing. Having this ready can speed things up or at least prevent delays.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Photo ID – such as a driver’s license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued ID, for each adult in the household if possible.
  • Proof of homelessness or housing crisis – this could be an eviction notice, lease termination letter, hotel receipt showing you’re out of funds, letter from a friend/relative stating you must leave, or a police/fire report if your home is unsafe.
  • Proof of income or lack of income – recent pay stubs, benefit award letters (like unemployment, SSI, or SNAP), or a statement describing no income, because many temporary housing programs have income limits.

Other items that are often required or helpful:

  • Birth certificates or Social Security cards for children when applying for family programs.
  • Disability or medical documentation if you need accessible housing or have health-related priority.
  • Any paperwork from prior shelters or housing agencies, including discharge papers or program referrals.

If you do not have documents because they were lost or left behind, tell the worker during intake; agencies can sometimes verify identity or situation through other systems or let you sign temporary affidavits while you replace records.

Step-by-step: how the temporary housing process usually works

1. Identify and contact the correct local agency

Start by locating your local housing authority and your county/city human services department using official government websites.
Once you find them, call the main number or, if you can safely travel, go in person to the front desk or intake window and ask about “emergency housing or homeless services intake.”

2. Ask for the correct entry point or hotline

Many communities use a single access point, such as:

  • A centralized homeless services hotline
  • A walk-in intake center
  • An outreach team that can meet you at a safe location

Ask specifically: “Do you have a coordinated entry line or central intake for shelter, rapid rehousing, or temporary housing?”
They will typically give you a phone number, address, or hours for that intake process.

3. Gather basic documents and information

Before your intake appointment or call, gather any IDs, eviction or move-out papers, pay stubs, and benefit letters you have.
Also write down basic information they will likely ask: names and ages of household members, where you slept last night, how long you have been without stable housing, and any safety concerns (such as domestic violence).

4. Complete the intake or assessment

At intake, staff usually complete a screening or assessment that asks about your housing history, income, health, safety, and needs.
This can happen in person or by phone, and often determines whether you are eligible for emergency shelter, motel vouchers, or referral to rapid rehousing or transitional housing.

What to expect next: After intake, you may be:

  • Referred directly to an open shelter bed or placed on a shelter waitlist.
  • Given a short-term motel voucher if you meet specific criteria (such as having children, medical vulnerability, or being a senior).
  • Scheduled to meet with a case manager for rapid rehousing or transitional housing if you qualify and slots are available.

5. Provide verification documents and sign releases

If a program has a spot for you, staff typically ask you to show your ID and proof of crisis, and may request that you sign consent forms so they can coordinate with other agencies or landlords.
For rapid rehousing or transitional housing, you may also be asked to sign a program agreement that covers rules (such as curfew, guests, or substance use policies).

What to expect next: Once paperwork is verified:

  • Shelter or motel staff will explain check-in times, rules, and what you can/cannot bring.
  • For rapid rehousing, a case manager usually helps you search for landlords, fill out rental applications, and set up payments to the landlord once a unit is found.

6. Follow up regularly if you are waitlisted or in short-term placement

If you’re placed on a waitlist, ask how often you should check back and what your waitlist ID or reference number is.
If you’re in a motel voucher or emergency shelter, stay in touch with your assigned case manager, because extensions, transitions to longer-term programs, or additional assistance usually depend on active communication.

A simple script you can use when calling back:
“I completed an intake for temporary housing on [date]. I’m following up on my status and whether any shelter, motel voucher, or rapid rehousing openings are available.”

Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for
A common snag is that temporary housing slots fill up quickly, and you may be told to call back at specific times or go on a waitlist. When that happens, ask the worker whether you can be connected to any other programs or nonprofits in the area, such as faith-based shelters, domestic violence hotlines, or community-run motel voucher funds, and keep a written list of all places you’re referred to so you can follow up methodically.

Staying safe from scams and finding legitimate extra help

Because temporary housing involves money, identity documents, and sometimes rent payments, scams are common.
Use these safeguards:

  • Only share personal documents and Social Security numbers with agencies and nonprofits you can verify through a .gov website, 2-1-1, or the housing authority/human services office.
  • Be cautious of anyone online or on social media who promises guaranteed hotel vouchers or Section 8 approval in exchange for fees or gift cards; legitimate programs do not charge you application fees in cash or peer-to-peer apps.
  • When in doubt, call your local housing authority or county human services department and ask: “Is this program or organization an approved partner for temporary housing in our area?”

Additional legitimate help sources often include:

  • Legal aid offices – may help if your housing crisis involves illegal eviction, discrimination, or unsafe living conditions.
  • Domestic violence hotlines and shelters – can provide confidential emergency housing separate from standard shelter systems.
  • Community action agencies and faith-based nonprofits – sometimes run small motel voucher funds, rental assistance, or church-based shelter beds.

Once you have identified your local housing authority or human services office, gathered ID, proof of crisis, and income information, and completed an intake for emergency or temporary housing, you have taken the core official steps; your next moves are regular follow-up, asking specifically about all available programs (shelter, vouchers, rapid rehousing, transitional housing), and staying in contact with any assigned case manager to move toward a more stable housing option.