Single mothers are among the most at-risk groups for homelessness and housing instability in the United States. Raising children alone on a single income — often with limited childcare options, gaps in employment, and no financial safety net — means a single setback can quickly turn into a housing crisis.
If you are a single mother who is homeless, facing eviction, or struggling to afford housing, this guide from House for Homeless covers every program available to you, starting with what you can access right now.
Single mother in housing crisis tonight? Call 211 immediately and tell them you have children. Family shelters keep mothers and children together — they are separate from adult-only facilities. Operators can connect you to one with availability right now.
What to Do Right Now If You Are a Single Mother Without Housing
If you are homeless or about to lose your housing tonight:
- Call 211 — tell them you are a mother with children — this triggers family shelter referrals specifically
- Go to a family shelter — you and your children will stay together
- Contact your children’s school — schools are required under the McKinney-Vento Act to help homeless families access services, transportation, and supplies immediately
- Apply for SNAP — if you have no food, apply for food stamps immediately; expedited processing gets you benefits within 7 days with no income
- Ask about emergency hotel vouchers — if family shelters are full, 211 can sometimes arrange a hotel/motel placement so you and your children are not sleeping outside
Your children’s safety comes first. Every program listed below is available to you — but shelter and food happen tonight. See our full guide on types of housing assistance programs to understand your options.
Priority Status for Single Mothers
Single mothers with children have priority status in most housing assistance programs. This is important to understand — it means you go to the front of the line ahead of single adults in many cases.
Programs that specifically prioritize families with children include:
- Section 8 / Housing Choice Vouchers — most PHAs give priority to families with children
- Rapid rehousing — families are often prioritized over single adults
- Emergency shelters — family shelters exist specifically to keep you and your children together
- Public housing — families with children are a priority population
- SNAP / WIC — both have specific provisions for mothers and young children
When you apply to any program, always mention that you have dependent children — it may qualify you for faster processing or priority placement.
Programs Available to Single Mothers
1. Emergency Family Shelters (Available Tonight)
Family shelters provide immediate, free housing for mothers and their children together. Unlike adult shelters, family shelters offer private or semi-private rooms rather than dormitory-style sleeping areas. Most provide meals, childcare referrals, and case management.
How to find one: Call 211 and specifically say “I am a single mother with [number] children and need a family shelter.” You can also browse our emergency shelter guides by city for locations near you. Do not just ask for “shelter” — specifying that you have children gets you connected to the right type of facility.
What to expect: Stays are typically 30–90 days with extensions available. Case managers will help you apply for longer-term housing programs during your stay.
Homeless-specific note: If you have no ID, you can still access most family shelters. If local family shelters are full, ask 211 about overflow family placements or emergency hotel/motel vouchers for families.
2. Hotel and Motel Vouchers for Families (Available in Days)
When family shelter beds are not available, some local agencies provide emergency hotel or motel vouchers specifically for families with children. These allow you and your children to stay in a hotel room while longer-term housing is arranged.
How to access: Call 211 and ask specifically for “family hotel vouchers” or “emergency family housing.” Not every area has this program — availability varies by city and county.
3. Emergency Rental Assistance — ERA (Available in 2–6 Weeks)
If you have a rental home but are behind on rent and facing eviction, ERA can pay your landlord directly and stop the eviction process. ERA prioritizes households at or below 50% of Area Median Income — which includes most single-mother households.
Having an eviction notice often expedites ERA processing. Apply immediately if you have received one.
How to apply: Call 211 or see our complete guide on what emergency rental assistance is and how to apply for ERA.
Single-mother note: If you lost income due to childcare costs, a reduction in work hours because of childcare, or a family medical emergency, document this as your financial hardship. These are valid and common reasons for ERA eligibility.
4. Rapid Rehousing (Available in Days to Weeks)
Rapid rehousing programs help homeless families move into permanent housing as quickly as possible. They provide short-term rental assistance — typically 3 to 12 months — along with a case manager who helps with finding an apartment, negotiating with landlords, and connecting to childcare, employment, and other support services.
Families with children are frequently prioritized for rapid rehousing over single adults.
How to access: Call 211 and ask for rapid rehousing referrals for families. You can also contact your local Continuum of Care (CoC) directly.
5. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (Waitlist — Apply Now)
Section 8 provides a long-term monthly rental subsidy — you pay 30% of your income, the voucher covers the rest. For a single mother with no or low income, this can mean paying $0–$300/month for an apartment.
Families with children are a priority population at most PHAs. However, waitlists are often long — apply now and pursue faster options simultaneously.
How to apply: Find your local PHA at HUD’s PHA directory and apply when the waitlist is open. See our HUD income limits guide to confirm you qualify. Apply to multiple PHAs at once — there is no restriction.
Single-mother tip: When applying, specify the number of children and their ages. This determines the bedroom size you qualify for. A single mother with two children typically qualifies for a 2-bedroom voucher.
See our full guide on Section 8 housing for complete details, and browse all housing assistance programs available to your family.
6. Public Housing (Waitlist — Apply Now)
Public housing provides government-owned rental units at 30% of your income. Families with children are a priority population. Like Section 8, waitlists can be long — apply now alongside faster programs.
How to apply: Contact your local PHA — the same agency that manages Section 8.
7. TANF — Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
TANF provides short-term cash assistance to families with children. Cash from TANF can be used toward rent, deposits, and other housing-related costs. TANF is administered by states and varies significantly in benefit amounts and eligibility.
Single mothers with dependent children are the primary target population for TANF.
How to apply: Contact your state’s social services or welfare office. Call 211 for the local contact number.
8. WIC — Women, Infants, and Children
WIC provides monthly food benefits specifically for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5. If you are a single mother with young children, WIC is one of the fastest benefits to access — income limits are generous (185% of FPL) and the application process is simple.
WIC also connects you to nutrition counseling, breastfeeding support, and referrals to other programs.
How to apply: Find your local WIC clinic through USDA WIC or call 211.
9. SNAP — Food Stamps for Single Mothers
SNAP provides monthly food benefits on an EBT card. Single-mother households typically qualify easily — the income limit is 130% of FPL for most households, and many states have expanded this through categorical eligibility.
If you have no income, you qualify for the maximum SNAP benefit and may receive expedited processing within 7 days.
How to apply: Apply at your state SNAP office, online, or call 211 for local application assistance.
10. Child Support and Legal Aid
If your children’s other parent owes child support, pursuing it can significantly increase your monthly income — making you more stable and potentially improving your housing prospects. Most states offer free child support enforcement services.
Legal aid organizations also provide free legal help for single mothers facing eviction, custody disputes related to housing, and other housing-related legal issues.
Programs Specifically for Homeless Mothers
Family Promise
Family Promise is a national nonprofit that partners with local faith communities to provide shelter, meals, and case management for homeless families with children. Many Family Promise chapters offer families a private space in a host congregation rather than a traditional shelter setting.
Find a local Family Promise chapter at familypromise.org.
Covenant House
Covenant House provides housing and support services for youth and young mothers under age 24 experiencing homelessness. If you are a young single mother, Covenant House may offer specialized services including mother-baby programs.
Domestic Violence Shelters
If you are fleeing domestic violence, DV shelters provide safe, confidential housing for mothers and children. DV shelters typically offer more privacy and longer stays than general family shelters, along with legal advocacy, counseling, and safety planning.
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 (TTY: 800-787-3224) for immediate referrals.
Common Barriers Single Mothers Face — and How to Address Them
| Barrier | Solution |
|---|---|
| No childcare — cannot attend appointments | Ask programs about phone or online applications; request accommodation |
| No ID | Low-barrier family shelters accept mothers without ID; free ID programs available through 211 |
| Eviction record | Many rapid rehousing programs and family shelters do not screen for eviction history |
| Domestic violence history affecting housing | VAWA protections apply — DV cannot be used to deny you housing assistance |
| No income | TANF, SNAP, and ERA all serve zero-income households; shelters are free |
| Older children (teens) | Family shelters serve children up to 18; some serve up to 21 for youth with children |
| Immigration status | Some programs serve regardless of status — call 211 and ask |
What Single Mothers Should Know About McKinney-Vento
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provides specific protections and rights for homeless families with school-age children:
- Immediate school enrollment — your children can enroll in school without proof of residency, immunization records, or other documents
- School of origin — your children can stay in their current school even if you move to a shelter in another district
- Free transportation — schools must provide or arrange transportation to keep children in their school of origin
- Free meals — homeless children are automatically eligible for free school breakfast and lunch
- School liaisons — every school district has a McKinney-Vento liaison who can connect you to housing and social services
If your children’s school is not providing these services, contact your state’s Department of Education or a legal aid organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What housing assistance is available for single mothers?
Single mothers can access emergency family shelters, hotel/motel vouchers for families, rapid rehousing, Emergency Rental Assistance, Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and TANF cash assistance. Families with children are a priority population for most programs. Call 211 immediately for referrals — tell them you have children.
Can a single mother with no income get housing assistance?
Yes. Zero income does not disqualify you from housing assistance — it actually puts you in the highest priority tier for most programs. Emergency shelters are free. SNAP provides food. ERA accepts zero-income households. TANF provides cash assistance. Section 8 would result in a $0 rent contribution for a zero-income household.
Can I take my children to a homeless shelter?
Yes — but you need a family shelter specifically. Most adult shelters are gender-separated and not appropriate for families. Call 211 and specifically say you are a mother with children. Family shelters keep you and your children together and typically offer more privacy than single-adult shelters.
How do I get Section 8 as a single mother?
Apply through your local Public Housing Authority (PHA). Single mothers with dependent children are a priority population at most PHAs. The waitlist can be long — apply now while pursuing faster options like rapid rehousing or ERA. You can apply to multiple PHAs simultaneously. Find your local PHA at HUD’s directory.
Is there emergency rental assistance specifically for single mothers?
ERA programs are not exclusively for single mothers, but single-mother households with low income typically qualify easily. The 80% AMI income limit is generous, and having children is often a priority factor for expedited processing. Apply through your local ERA program — call 211 for the program nearest to you.
What if I am fleeing domestic violence with my children?
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 immediately for confidential shelter referrals. DV shelters provide safe housing for you and your children. Federal VAWA protections also mean a DV-related eviction or criminal record cannot be used to deny you housing assistance. You do not need a police report to access DV shelter.
Are my children protected if we become homeless?
Yes. The McKinney-Vento Act requires schools to immediately enroll homeless children, provide free transportation to keep them in their school, and connect families to services. Your children can stay in their current school even if you move to a shelter in another district. Contact the school’s McKinney-Vento liaison for help.
Can single mothers get help with a security deposit?
Some ERA programs cover security deposits, and some rapid rehousing programs provide deposit assistance as part of their services. Ask specifically about deposit assistance when you apply. Some local nonprofits and community action agencies also offer one-time grants for deposits. Call 211 and ask about “security deposit assistance for families.”