Need a Place to Stay in DC?

Whether you’re 28 or 78, if you’re coming to Washington to make your voice heard, you shouldn’t have to worry about where you’ll sleep. Below are the best low-cost and community-based housing options we’ve found for citizen lobbyists.  This isn’t a full-service booking site—just honest tools, trusted networks, and functional backup plans.

1. Hotels
The easiest but most expensive choice. If hotels in DC proper feel unreasonable, there are many options in northern VA (Arlington, Alexandria) that are only a few minutes away - don’t accidentally spend double for a place when you can take a 15 minute metro ride and save massive $$.

2. Couchsurfing
You’ll need to create a profile, and sometimes a small fee is required to message hosts. Be direct and honest about why you’re visiting DC—many people will respect it. couchsurfing.com

3. FLARE’s Discord

FLARE USA has a discord set up for rideshares and lodging that may be a stellar resource to find friends and partners for activism work. You can find it here: https://discord.gg/aCDMS7PKwD

4. Hostels
Sometimes free housing doesn’t line up. These hostels offer affordable beds and tend to be welcoming to people coming for a cause. Book early if possible.

Prices typically run $35–$55 per night. Some offer discounts for longer stays.

5. Emergency Housing – If your plans fall through
We’ve built a community alert system for last-minute situations. If you’re stuck and need help, text this number with your name, arrival time, and how long you need a place. A real human will respond if someone’s available.

(text number goes here)

This is for true emergencies—please exhaust the other options first.

Need help using one of these platforms?
If you’re unsure where to start or not comfortable navigating the websites, we’ve got people who can walk you through it. Just ask.