What Is the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV)?

Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) are a type of federal Housing Choice Voucher created by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to help people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or fleeing domestic violence, trafficking, or similar situations.

Important: EHV is winding down

In March 2025, HUD announced that the EHV program is ending early. Under HUD guidance (Notice PIH 2025-07), housing authorities have stopped accepting new EHV applicants, and federal funding is expected to run out by the end of 2026. If you do not already have an EHV, you generally cannot get one now — but the programs listed below can help.

How EHV worked

EHV was never an open application. People were referred to a local housing authority by a Continuum of Care — the local body that coordinates homeless services — or a partner agency, which confirmed eligibility. Once issued, an EHV worked like a regular Section 8 voucher: you found a unit on the private market, the housing authority signed a contract with the landlord, and it paid its share of the rent directly while you paid yours.

If you have an EHV now

Current EHV holders keep their assistance until federal funding runs out. Stay in close contact with your caseworker and housing authority about what happens as the program ends and whether you can move to another form of assistance.

What to apply for instead

If you need help now, look at the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waitlist, and in New York City, CityFHEPS and FHEPS. Survivors of domestic violence and people experiencing homelessness often have dedicated pathways through local homeless-services and DV agencies.

Get help

A homeless-services provider, Continuum of Care, or legal-aid group can tell you which programs are open to you now that EHV has closed to new applicants.