What Hope Lodge Is and How Cancer Patients Use It for Free Housing

Hope Lodge is free overnight housing run by the American Cancer Society for patients traveling to receive cancer treatment

Hope Lodge operates in 31 cities across the United States. The American Cancer Society owns and staffs each location. Patients stay at no cost — there are no fees, no deposits, and no income limits. You do not pay for the room, utilities, kitchen access, or basic supplies like linens and toiletries.

The housing is designed for patients whose treatment requires them to travel away from home, usually because their local hospital does not offer the specific therapy they need. A patient might stay for a few days during an initial consultation or for several weeks during active treatment. Family members or caregivers can stay in the same room.

Hope Lodge is not a hospital or medical facility. It is residential housing — apartments or suites with private bedrooms, bathrooms, and access to shared kitchens and common areas. Staff are present during business hours and on call after hours, but they do not provide medical care.

Key Takeaways

• Hope Lodge houses are free and available only to cancer patients receiving active treatment at a partnered hospital or cancer center.
• You must be referred by your treatment hospital or oncologist; you cannot contact Hope Lodge directly to reserve a room.
• Each location has a limited number of rooms and operates on a first-come, first-served basis once your hospital submits your referral.
• Stays are typically short-term — a few days to several weeks — and end when your treatment phase at that hospital concludes.
• Family members and caregivers can stay with you at no additional cost, and the kitchen is available for cooking your own meals.

Which hospitals and cancer centers partner with Hope Lodge

Hope Lodge locations are attached to major cancer treatment centers, usually National Cancer Institute-designated facilities or large academic medical centers. The 31 locations are in cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Boston, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Washington DC, plus smaller cities in 24 states total.

Your oncologist or treatment hospital must refer you. Hope Lodge does not accept direct requests from patients. When your doctor determines that you need to travel for treatment, they contact the Hope Lodge location nearest your treatment center and submit your information. The hospital's social worker or patient advocate usually handles this step.

If you are unsure whether your treatment hospital partners with Hope Lodge, ask your oncologist's office or the hospital's patient services department. They can tell you immediately whether a location exists in your treatment city and whether your case qualifies for referral.

How to get referred and what happens after

Your treatment hospital initiates the referral process. You do not fill out a form or call Hope Lodge yourself. Instead, your oncology team submits your name, treatment dates, and basic information to the Hope Lodge location serving your treatment center. This typically happens during your first or second appointment once travel is confirmed as necessary.

After the referral is submitted, Hope Lodge staff contact you directly — usually by phone — to confirm your arrival date, length of stay, and any accessibility needs. They ask about dietary restrictions, mobility requirements, or other accommodations. They also explain house rules, parking, and check-in procedures.

Rooms are assigned based on availability. Hope Lodge operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so earlier referrals get priority. If a location is full, staff will tell you at the time of referral and may place you on a waitlist or suggest alternative housing resources in the area.

What to expect during your stay

When you arrive, you check in at the front desk and receive keys to your private room. Most rooms have a bedroom, bathroom, and sitting area. Linens, towels, and basic toiletries are provided. You can bring personal items, but storage space is limited.

Common areas include a full kitchen where you can prepare meals, a dining room, a living room with television, and often a library or computer area. Some locations have outdoor space or a garden. Laundry facilities are available. Staff can direct you to nearby grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants.

You are responsible for your own meals and daily activities. Hope Lodge is not a hotel with housekeeping or meal service. You clean up after yourself in shared spaces and keep your room tidy. Staff are available during business hours (usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to answer questions, and an on-call staff member is reachable after hours for emergencies.

Who can stay at Hope Lodge

You must be a cancer patient receiving active treatment at a hospital or cancer center that partners with Hope Lodge. "Active treatment" means you are currently undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, immunotherapy, or another cancer-directed therapy — not follow-up care or survivorship visits.

Your treatment must require travel away from your home. Hope Lodge is not available to local patients who can commute to their treatment center. The distance threshold varies by location, but generally you must live more than 30 to 50 miles from your treatment hospital.

There are no age restrictions, income limits, or insurance requirements. Uninsured patients, underinsured patients, and patients on Medicaid or Medicare are all welcome. Children can stay with a parent or guardian. Spouses, adult children, or other family members can share your room.

What Hope Lodge does not cover

Hope Lodge provides housing only. It does not pay for transportation to your treatment center, meals outside the house, medical appointments, or treatment costs. You are responsible for getting to your hospital each day — some locations offer shuttle services or can connect you with transportation resources, but this varies.

Hope Lodge is not a medical facility. Staff cannot provide nursing care, medication management, or medical advice. If you have a medical emergency during your stay, you call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, just as you would anywhere else.

Stays are temporary and tied to your active treatment at that specific hospital. Once your treatment phase ends or you return home to continue care locally, your stay concludes. Hope Lodge cannot extend your housing for recovery time or follow-up appointments after your main treatment block.

How to find the Hope Lodge location near your treatment center

The American Cancer Society website lists all 31 Hope Lodge locations with addresses, phone numbers, and the hospitals they serve. You can search by city or state. However, the best first step is to tell your oncology team that you will need housing during treatment and ask them to check whether Hope Lodge is available.

Your hospital's social work department or patient advocate can answer questions about the referral process, typical wait times at your local Hope Lodge, and what to bring. They may also know about backup housing resources if Hope Lodge is full or if you do not may have access to for some reason.

If you are still in the process of choosing a treatment center and travel will be necessary, you can ask potential hospitals whether they partner with Hope Lodge. This is one factor among many in selecting where to receive care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I stay at Hope Lodge if I am getting a second opinion or consultation?

Hope Lodge is designed for patients undergoing active treatment, not for consultations or second opinions. However, some locations may accommodate short stays for initial treatment planning if your hospital refers you. Ask your oncologist whether your situation qualifies.

What if the Hope Lodge location near my treatment center is full?

Staff will tell you at the time of referral if rooms are unavailable. Some locations maintain a waitlist and may have a cancellation. Your hospital's social worker can also suggest alternative housing — some treatment centers partner with hotels that offer discounted rates for patients, or can connect you with other nonprofits that provide temporary housing.

Do I need insurance to stay at Hope Lodge?

No. Hope Lodge is free regardless of insurance status. Uninsured, underinsured, Medicaid, and Medicare patients are all welcome. You do not need to show proof of insurance or financial information.

Can my caregiver stay with me if they are not family?

Yes. Hope Lodge allows a support person — spouse, adult child, friend, or other caregiver — to share your room at no cost. Let your referral coordinator know who will be staying with you so they can confirm the room setup.

What happens if I need to leave early or extend my stay?

Tell Hope Lodge staff as soon as you know your plans have changed. If you need to leave early, they can prepare for the next patient. If you need to extend, availability depends on whether rooms are booked. Your treatment hospital can request an extension, but it is not may provide.