Emergency Motel Voucher Program (EMVP)
The Emergency Motel Voucher Program is only available for individuals in Snohomish and Skagit counties in Washington State.
The Emergency Motel Voucher Program (EMVP) is available in Snohomish and Skagit counties and provides short-term assistance to individuals and families in an effort to reduce the number of households who return to emergency shelters.
The goal of the EMVP is to break the cycle of homelessness before it begins by reaching as many individuals as possible and providing intervention in time of crisis. This program allows recipients stability, safety, and the peace of mind required to make a positive change.
While a motel voucher is not a permanent solution, it allows our clients a safe place to stay off the streets while our clinicians work with them to find affordable, permanent housing options.
Vouchers are good for up to seven days and can be renewed to provide up to 14 days of emergency housing in instances where individuals might be returned to the street to provide more time for placement. Compass Health’s standing relationships with local motels allow the organization to quickly house an individual or family. The EMVP allows Compass Health to work collaboratively with not only our own clients, but with other non-profit providers in the community who are facing the same challenges for their own clients. We are extremely grateful to our private funders for their generous support of the successful Emergency Motel Voucher Program.
Unlike other programs that are only meant for “in-house” individuals, Compass Health is able to provide EMVP stays for clients of our partner organizations, including the VOA, Catholic Community Services, The Salvation Army, St. Vincent De Paul and Sunrise Services. This collaboration allows us to increase the chances of finding permanent housing or the next transitional option for individuals, greatly reducing the amount of people that return to the street.
Who is Qualified for the EMVP?
In order to qualify for the EMVP each individual/family is required to meet the criteria of being homeless, having an income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI) and unable to obtain a safe and stable place to live.
Eligibility for the motel voucher program is determined through an application process. An applicant may only apply once in any given year for assistance. Once an applicant is determined to be eligible, a voucher payment is made by Compass Health directly to the motel on their behalf. All clients are served on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are no longer available. Once a person is placed on an emergency shelter voucher, the Compass Health team works cooperatively with the client to provide the needed services and assistance with locating and obtaining permanent housing.
The EMVP is available in Snohomish and Skagit counties in Washington State.
Clients may access the EMVP through their Compass Health clinician, through clinicians at other agencies in the area, or by leaving a message on the EMVP line at 425-349-6844.
Please note that Emergency Motel Vouchers are ONLY AVAILABLE AS FUNDING ALLOWS. Like many services such as these, there is a far greater need than resources.
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS: