How to Get Emergency Housing Vouchers for Immediate Rental Assistance

Facing a housing crisis is an overwhelming experience, but securing an Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) can be a critical step toward stability. EHVs are a specific type of rental assistance designed to help individuals and families who are homeless or at immediate risk of losing their housing.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, this program provides a subsidy that pays a portion of your rent directly to a landlord, allowing you to find safe and decent housing in the private market.

Unlike traditional housing programs with long waiting lists, the EHV system is built for urgent situations and operates through a targeted referral process. This means you cannot apply directly; instead, you must be connected to the program through a designated local organization. The process requires navigating a specific system, but understanding the steps, who is eligible, and which agencies are involved can provide a clear path forward.

Who Qualifies for an Emergency Housing Vouchers?

Eligibility for an Emergency Housing Vouchers is not based on a first-come, first-served waiting list. Instead, it is strictly limited to individuals and families experiencing one of four specific housing crisis situations as defined by HUD. Your local community’s homeless service system will assess your situation to see if you fall into one of these federally mandated categories.

The Four Qualifying Categories

• Homeless: This category includes individuals and families who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This means you are living in a place not meant for human habitation, such as a car, a park, or on the street; staying in an emergency shelter; or residing in transitional housing.
• At Risk of Homelessness: This applies to individuals and families who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence. This could mean you have received an eviction notice and have nowhere else to go, or you are being discharged from an institution like a hospital or jail without a stable housing plan.
• Fleeing, or Attempting to Flee, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Human Trafficking: This category is specifically for individuals and families who are escaping dangerous or life-threatening situations. The need to leave is urgent, and stable housing is a critical component of safety.
• Recently Homeless and at High Risk of Housing Instability: This category includes households for whom providing rental assistance will prevent a return to homelessness. It often applies to families participating in temporary housing support programs, such as Rapid Re-housing (RRH), who need a long-term subsidy like an EHV to maintain their housing stability once the short-term assistance ends.

Local Priorities and Final Approval

While meeting one of these criteria is the first step, it is important to recognize that local communities receive a limited number of vouchers. As a result, they often establish local priorities to determine who receives a referral. For instance, one community might prioritize EHVs for individuals with long-term stays in emergency shelters, while another may focus on survivors of domestic violence or families exiting a temporary housing program.

This means that even if you are technically eligible under federal rules, your chances of receiving a voucher depend on how well your situation aligns with the specific needs and priorities identified by your local homeless services network.

After a referral is made, the local Public Housing Agency (PHA) will conduct a final eligibility determination. This typically includes verifying that your household's total gross income does not exceed the program's limits, which is generally set at 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your family size.

The EHV Process: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough from Crisis to Keys

The path to securing and using an Emergency Housing Vouchers involves several distinct stages and coordination between different local agencies. It is not a process of simply filling out an application and waiting. It is an active, referral-based system designed to connect housing resources to the most vulnerable people in a community. Understanding each step can help you navigate the system more effectively.

Step 1: Making First Contact (The Coordinated Entry System)

You cannot apply for an EHV directly at your local housing authority office. The program operates on a direct referral basis only, and the official "front door" is your community's Continuum of Care (CoC). A CoC is a regional planning body that coordinates housing and services for people experiencing homelessness.

Every CoC operates a Coordinated Entry (CE) system, which is the centralized process designed to assess the needs of individuals and families in crisis and match them with the most appropriate housing resources available, including EHVs. To begin the process, you must connect with a Coordinated Entry access point in your area.

Here are the most effective ways to find the right place to start:

• Dial 211: In most areas of the U.S., dialing 211 is the simplest and most direct way to get connected to local social services. A trained operator can listen to your situation and refer you to the correct Coordinated Entry access point.
• Search HUD's Online Resources: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides an online tool to help you find local homeless assistance providers. You can search the HUD Exchange website for a list of CoC contacts and other homeless service providers in your state or county.
• Contact Local Government or Non-Profits: Your city or county's website often has a department of human or social services with information for homeless assistance. Local non-profit organizations, shelters, and community action agencies are also typically connected to the Coordinated Entry system.

Step 2: The Assessment and Referral

Once you have made contact with a Coordinated Entry access point, a case manager will conduct a standardized assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to understand your housing situation, your needs, and to determine if you meet one of the four EHV eligibility categories. Be prepared to discuss your current living situation in detail.

If you are deemed eligible and your situation aligns with local priorities, the CoC or a designated partner agency will prepare a referral packet to send to the local Public Housing Agency (PHA). This packet typically includes a homeless certification form, a consent for the release of information, and other required documents.

Step 3: Working with the Public Housing Agency (PHA)

After the CoC sends your referral, the local Public Housing Agency will contact you to begin the next stage of the process. The PHA is the government entity that administers the voucher program.

The PHA will:

• Verify Final Eligibility: The PHA confirms that your household meets all programmatic requirements, including income limits and immigration status. They may also conduct a criminal background screening.
• Conduct a Briefing: Once you are approved, you will be invited to a briefing session. Here, the PHA staff will explain the program rules in detail, including how to calculate your portion of the rent and your responsibilities as a tenant.
• Issue the Voucher: After the briefing, you will be issued your Emergency Housing Voucher. This document represents the PHA's commitment to subsidize your rent once you find a suitable home.

Step 4: The Housing Search

With a voucher in hand, you can begin searching for a rental unit in the private market. You are free to choose any type of housing that meets the program's requirements, such as an apartment, a duplex, or a single-family home.

The unit you choose must meet two key criteria:

1. Rent Reasonableness: The total rent for the unit must be comparable to similar unassisted units in the area.
2. Housing Quality Standards (HQS): The unit must pass a health and safety inspection conducted by the PHA to ensure it is decent, safe, and sanitary.

You will be given a specific amount of time, often between 60 and 180 days, to find a unit. This is known as the "search term." If you have difficulty finding a unit within this timeframe, it may be possible to request an extension from the PHA.

Step 5: Leasing and Move-In

Once you find a landlord willing to participate and a unit you want to rent, you will submit a "Request for Tenancy Approval" to the PHA. The PHA will then inspect the unit. If it passes inspection and the rent is reasonable, the final steps can proceed.

You and your landlord will sign a standard lease agreement. At the same time, the PHA and your landlord will sign a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract. This is the formal agreement where the PHA commits to paying its portion of the rent to the landlord on your behalf each month.

A significant benefit of the EHV program is the additional financial support available to help with move-in costs. Many PHAs use program funds to cover expenses such as security deposits, utility connection fees, moving expenses, and even the cost of essential furniture. This support is designed to remove the final financial barriers to securing housing.

Understanding the Key Players: The Roles of HUD, CoC, and PHA

Successfully navigating the EHV program is easier when you understand the roles of the different organizations involved. The process is a partnership between federal, regional, and local agencies, each with a distinct set of responsibilities.

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): HUD is the federal agency that provides the funding for the EHV program and establishes the nationwide rules and core eligibility requirements. HUD allocated the initial 70,000 vouchers but is not involved in the day-to-day operations of referring or housing individual families.
• Continuum of Care (CoC): The CoC is the local or regional planning body that organizes and coordinates homeless services. Through its Coordinated Entry system, the CoC is responsible for identifying, assessing, and verifying that an individual or family meets one of the four crisis eligibility categories. They are the gatekeepers who make the official referral to the Public Housing Agency.
• Public Housing Agency (PHA): The PHA (sometimes called a housing authority) is the local government agency that administers the voucher. Once a PHA receives a referral from the CoC, its job is to manage the rest of the process. This includes conducting final eligibility checks, issuing the voucher, inspecting rental units, and making the monthly housing assistance payments to the landlord.

This structure creates a two-part eligibility process. The CoC determines your categorical eligibility—whether your situation fits one of the four crisis definitions. The PHA then determines your programmatic eligibility—whether you meet the income and other administrative rules.

Incentives for Landlords: A Critical Piece of the Puzzle

A housing voucher is only useful if a landlord is willing to accept it. Recognizing this, the EHV program was designed with significant flexibility, allowing Public Housing Agencies to offer a powerful package of financial incentives to property owners. These incentives make renting to an EHV holder a more secure and financially attractive proposition.

Key incentives offered in many communities include:

• Guaranteed and Timely Rent Payments: The PHA’s portion of the rent is sent directly to the landlord each month, providing a reliable and consistent stream of income.
• Signing Bonuses: Many PHAs offer a one-time bonus payment, sometimes equal to one or two months' rent, to a landlord for leasing their unit to an EHV family.
• Security Deposit Coverage: The EHV program can often cover the full security deposit, eliminating a major upfront cost for the tenant and reducing the landlord's financial risk.
• Damage Mitigation Funds: To address a major concern for landlords, some PHAs have established special funds to reimburse owners for tenant-caused damages that exceed the security deposit.
• Vacancy Payments: PHAs may offer a payment to cover the rent for the brief vacancy period while the PHA completes its inspection and paperwork.
• Dedicated Support: EHV participants are often connected with case managers who can help mediate any issues that may arise, giving landlords a dedicated point of contact to help resolve problems.

These incentives were strategically designed to address the historical challenges of voucher programs. By creating a strong business case for landlords, the EHV program actively works to increase the supply of available housing for those who need it most.

Moving with Your Voucher: How EHV Portability Works

"Portability" is a feature of the Housing Choice Voucher program that allows a family to move with their rental assistance to a new city or state, outside the jurisdiction of the Public Housing Agency that originally issued their voucher. This is a critical option for families who need to relocate for work, family, or other personal reasons.

The process involves coordinating between your current PHA (the "initial PHA") and the PHA in the community you are moving to (the "receiving PHA"). It is essential to understand that you are effectively starting a new administrative process with the receiving PHA.

The Portability Process

1. Request to "Port Out": You must first notify your initial PHA in writing that you intend to move and use portability. They will verify that you are in good standing with the program.
2. Paperwork Transfer: The initial PHA will then send your file, including your voucher and other relevant documents, to the receiving PHA in your desired location.
3. Contact the Receiving PHA: It is your responsibility to contact the receiving PHA to begin their intake process. The receiving PHA will schedule a briefing and explain their specific policies.
4. Re-issuance of the Voucher: The receiving PHA will issue you a new voucher. The terms of this new voucher may be different from your original one, as the receiving PHA will apply its own rules.

What Can Change When You Port?

• Payment Standards: The maximum subsidy amount is based on local market rents, so your voucher may be worth more or less in the new location.
• Occupancy Standards: The number of bedrooms you qualify for may change based on the receiving PHA's family size policies.
• Income Limits: Your income will be re-evaluated against the local income limits, which could affect your eligibility.

Because portability can be a complex process, it is vital to be proactive. Communicate clearly with both PHAs, keep copies of all your paperwork, and start the process well in advance of your planned move.

Overcoming Common Hurdles and the Program's Future

While the Emergency Housing Vouchers program has been a lifeline for tens of thousands of households, it is important to have realistic expectations about the challenges you may encounter and the program's long-term status.

Common Challenges

• Tight Rental Markets: In many areas, a severe shortage of affordable rental housing can make it extremely difficult for voucher holders to find a unit.
• Landlord Reluctance and Discrimination: Despite financial incentives, some landlords remain unwilling to participate in the voucher program due to negative stereotypes or illegal discrimination based on source of income.
• Administrative Delays: The EHV process relies on the close coordination of CoCs and PHAs. In communities where this partnership is not strong, you may experience delays in referrals, inspections, or paperwork processing.
• Staffing Issues: The non-profits and agencies that provide homeless services often face high staff turnover, which can sometimes impact the level of support available to help you navigate the system.

The Future of the EHV Program

The Emergency Housing Voucher program was created with a one-time infusion of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. It was never intended to be a permanent, annually funded program like the traditional Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.

Due to high rental costs and the program's success, these funds are being used up faster than originally projected. HUD has notified PHAs that it anticipates funding for the EHV program will be depleted by the end of 2026—several years earlier than the initial 2030 estimate.

In a critical move to begin winding down the program, HUD has also instructed PHAs that as of September 30, 2023, they are no longer permitted to reissue any EHVs that are returned. This means that once a family leaves the program, their voucher cannot be given to another family in need.

Frequently Asked Questions