What Ronald McDonald House Does and How It Works
Ronald McDonald House provides free or low-cost housing for families whose children are receiving medical treatment away from home
Ronald McDonald House is a nonprofit organization that runs residential facilities near major hospitals and medical centers. When a child needs treatment at a hospital far from where the family lives, Ronald McDonald House offers a place to stay so parents and siblings can remain close by without paying for a hotel.
The organization operates over 370 houses in more than 60 countries. In the United States, you'll find Ronald McDonald Houses in most major cities with large pediatric medical centers. The houses are not hospitals — they're residential buildings where families live during treatment, usually at no cost or for a small suggested donation.
Families stay for days, weeks, or sometimes months depending on the child's medical needs. The house provides a kitchen, laundry facilities, common areas, and private bedrooms. Staff members are on-site to help coordinate meals, transportation, and support services.
Key Takeaways
- Ronald McDonald House housing is free or very low-cost and is meant for families whose child is receiving active medical treatment at a nearby hospital.
- You do not need to be a patient at a specific hospital to stay — the house serves families using any hospital in the area, though some houses prioritize certain medical centers.
- Families typically contact Ronald McDonald House directly or through their child's hospital social worker, and placement depends on room availability and medical need.
- Most houses provide meals, utilities, laundry, and transportation assistance, though what is included varies by location.
- Stays are usually temporary and tied to active treatment — the house is not permanent housing.
Who can stay at Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House serves families with a child under age 21 who is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in that area. The child does not have to be admitted as an inpatient — outpatient treatment, surgery, or ongoing appointments at a major medical center all count. Siblings and parents are welcome to stay together.
You do not have to meet income requirements. Ronald McDonald House does not means-test families or ask about insurance status. The only real requirement is that your child's medical treatment is the reason you need housing away from home.
Some houses do prioritize families with greater financial need or those traveling the farthest distance. A few houses serve specific medical conditions or work primarily with certain hospitals, so availability can depend on your situation. The best way to know whether a particular house can accommodate your family is to contact them directly.
How to find and contact a Ronald McDonald House near you
The Ronald McDonald House Charities website has a searchable directory of all houses by location. You can enter your city or the hospital where your child will receive treatment, and the site will show you which houses serve that area, their phone numbers, and what services they offer.
You can also ask your child's hospital social worker or case manager — they often work with Ronald McDonald House staff and can make a referral directly. Hospital social workers know which houses have availability and can sometimes speed up the process by calling ahead.
Contact the house as soon as you know your child will need treatment away from home. Some houses have waiting lists, especially in major cities or during certain seasons. Even if a house is full, staff can sometimes connect you with other low-cost housing resources or help you understand your options.
What is included in a Ronald McDonald House stay
Most Ronald McDonald Houses provide a private bedroom for your family, access to a full kitchen, laundry facilities, and common areas where families can gather. Meals are often provided or partially subsidized, though this varies by location — some houses have volunteer meal programs where community groups cook dinners several nights a week.
Many houses offer transportation to and from the hospital, either through a shuttle service or by helping families arrange rides. Some provide assistance with parking, childcare for siblings during medical appointments, and access to counselors or support groups for families going through similar situations.
Utilities, internet, and basic supplies like toiletries are typically included. Some houses have playrooms, computers, and recreational areas for children. The specific services depend on the individual house and its funding, so ask what is available when you call.
Cost and payment for Ronald McDonald House
Most Ronald McDonald House stays are free. The organization is funded through donations, corporate sponsors, and fundraising events — not through patient fees. Families are never turned away because they cannot pay.
Some houses suggest a voluntary donation, usually between $10 and $25 per night, but this is optional and not required. A few houses in high-cost areas may ask families with higher incomes to contribute, but this is uncommon and is always discussed upfront.
If you receive a bill or are told you must pay to stay, contact the Ronald McDonald House Charities main office — that is not how the program works. Families should never be charged as a condition of staying.
How long you can stay and what happens when treatment ends
Ronald McDonald House stays are temporary and tied to active medical treatment. Most families stay for the duration of their child's treatment — whether that is a few days for surgery or several months for ongoing cancer treatment or transplant recovery.
Once treatment ends or your family is able to return home, your stay at Ronald McDonald House ends. The house is designed to bridge the gap while your child needs medical care away from home, not to provide permanent housing.
If your child needs follow-up appointments or returns for additional treatment later, you may be able to stay again. Contact the house to discuss your situation — many families return multiple times over the course of a child's treatment.
Ronald McDonald House versus other housing resources
Ronald McDonald House is one option for families needing temporary housing during medical treatment. Other resources include hospital-affiliated housing programs, which some large medical centers run directly; host family programs, where local volunteers open their homes; and subsidized hotel programs through certain nonprofits or insurance plans.
Ronald McDonald House is usually the most widely available and requires no income documentation or insurance verification. If a Ronald McDonald House is full or does not serve your area, ask your hospital social worker about other programs — many hospitals maintain lists of affordable housing near their facilities.
Some families use a combination of resources: a few nights at Ronald McDonald House, some nights with relatives, and occasional hotel stays. Your hospital social worker can help you piece together a plan that works for your family's situation and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to stay at the Ronald McDonald House closest to my home?
No. You stay at a house near the hospital where your child is receiving treatment. If your child is being treated at a hospital in another city, you would stay at a Ronald McDonald House near that hospital, not near your home.
What if there is no Ronald McDonald House in the area where my child's treatment is?
Not every city has a Ronald McDonald House. Ask your child's hospital social worker about other housing resources — many hospitals have partnerships with local hotels, host family programs, or other nonprofits that offer reduced-cost housing for families in your situation.
Can I stay if my child is an adult?
Ronald McDonald House primarily serves families with children under age 21. Some houses may have limited exceptions for young adults still in active pediatric treatment, but this varies. Contact the specific house to ask about your situation.
Do I need insurance or a referral to stay at Ronald McDonald House?
No. You do not need insurance, a referral, or any special documentation. You can contact Ronald McDonald House directly, or ask your hospital social worker to help. The only requirement is that your child is receiving medical treatment in that area.
What if my family has other children who are not receiving treatment?
Siblings are welcome to stay at Ronald McDonald House. The house is designed for the whole family to stay together while one child receives medical care. This helps siblings stay connected and reduces the stress of family separation during a difficult time.