Through a state-funded program, the Division of Social Services contracts with private, nonprofit community partners to provide emergency shelter and/or transitional housing (motel vouchers) for unhoused Delawareans and families.
How to find emergency or transitional housing (motel vouchers) in Delaware
- Call 211 or text your ZIP to 898-211 for 24/7 help connecting to resources across Delaware.
- Visit any Delaware State Service Center for help with intake or motel vouchers, or for help contacting Centralized Intake.
- Contact Housing Alliance Delaware for information and referrals to emergency shelter openings and available housing assistance for people who are unhoused in Delaware. Text or call 1-833-FIND-BED (1-833-346-3233). Centralized intake services are available Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Who qualifies for Motel Vouchers?
Emergency motel assistance is a temporary, short-term solution for emergency situations, and often linked to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), General Assistance, Medicaid or Social Security Income. It may also be a temporary emergency resource for those unhoused due to crisis situations such as domestic violence or a fire. Availability of beds may be limited by funding and shelter capacity. Social service agencies will often verify that shelter beds are at capacity before issuing motel vouchers. There is a $1,200 cap on how much funding a person may receive each year.
Code Purple Emergency Winter Shelter
Code Purple provides emergency winter shelter for Delaware’s unhoused when temperatures drop dangerously low or in severe weather.
- Check Online: Visit www.delaware211.org for more information.
- Call 2-1-1: Dial or text 2-1-1 (or text your ZIP code to 898211) to get connected to the nearest emergency shelter when a Code Purple is active.
