Cancer Patient Housing in Houston — Free & Low-Cost Lodging Near MD Anderson
If you're wondering where to stay during cancer treatment in Houston, you have more options than any other city in the country. MD Anderson Cancer Center alone treats 197,000+ patients per year, and dozens of other Texas Medical Center institutions offer oncology programs. For patients and families traveling to Houston, finding affordable housing near MD Anderson and TMC is one of the most stressful logistics decisions you'll face. This guide covers every free and low-cost cancer patient housing program — who qualifies, how much it costs, how to apply, and what to do if the waitlists are full.
Houston has more cancer patient lodging programs than any other city in the United States. Between Hope Lodge, the Hospitality Apartments, Halo House, Dan's House of Hope, and Aishel House, there are more than 200 rooms and apartments available at little or no cost within the TMC area. The key to securing housing near MD Anderson or your treatment center is applying early — ideally the same day you receive your treatment schedule — and applying to multiple programs simultaneously.
At a glance — where to stay during cancer treatment in Houston
Free cancer patient housing near MD Anderson and TMC
Hope Lodge Houston
Free 64 roomsThe American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge Houston is the largest Hope Lodge in the country, opened in 2021. Completely free — no fees, no deposits, no donations required.
Amenities: Communal kitchen with designated storage, free laundry, free parking, shuttle to TMC cancer centers, WiFi, private suite with bathroom.
ACS helpline: 1-800-227-2345
Hospitality Apartments
Free 46 apartments46 fully furnished one-bedroom apartments in two 4-story buildings at 7300 Bertner Avenue, steps from the Texas Medical Center. Not cancer-specific — serves any TMC patient. Rent-free with a nonrefundable cleaning fee of approximately $100-$140 at check-in.
Amenities: Full in-unit kitchen, free laundry, free parking, MD Anderson shuttle (Mon-Fri), WiFi, wheelchair accessible.
Dan's House of Hope
Free Ages 18-39Free housing specifically for young adults ages 18-39 receiving treatment at any Texas Medical Center institution. Designed for the unique needs of young adult cancer patients and their caregivers.
Amenities: Furnished rooms, communal kitchen, laundry, WiFi.
Low-cost cancer patient housing in Houston
Halo House Foundation
$25-35/night Blood cancer only33 furnished apartments (29 one-bedroom, 4 two-bedroom) approximately 2 miles from TMC. Exclusively for blood cancer patients — leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Founded by an MD Anderson oncologist.
Amenities: Full in-unit kitchen, in-unit washer/dryer, free TMC shuttle (Mon-Fri, 6 AM-6 PM), WiFi, covered parking.
Aishel House
~$50/night23 furnished apartments near the Texas Medical Center. Open to patients of any faith, diagnosis, or background — operated by Chabad but serves everyone.
Amenities: Furnished apartments, kosher kitchen available, laundry, WiFi, free parking.
Ronald McDonald House — Holcombe House
Pediatric families70 private bedrooms at 1907 Holcombe Blvd for families with a seriously ill child (age 21 or younger). Suggested donation of $25/night, but no family is ever turned away.
Amenities: Communal kitchen, complimentary meals, free laundry, free parking, hospital shuttle, WiFi.
Cost comparison — cancer patient housing options in Houston
| Program | Cost | 30-Day Total | Who Qualifies | Referral |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hope Lodge | Free | $0 | Adult cancer, 40+ mi | Social worker |
| Hospitality Apts | Free (+$140 fee) | $140 | Any diagnosis, 50+ mi | Self-referral OK |
| Dan's House | Free | $0 | Ages 18-39 | Direct or social worker |
| Halo House | $25-35/night | $935-1,235 | Blood cancer only, 50+ mi | Self-referral |
| Aishel House | ~$50/night | ~$1,500 | Any diagnosis | Self-referral OK |
| RMH (pediatric) | $0-25/night | $0-750 | Child 21 or under | Hospital referral |
| Rotary House | $165–$355/night | $4,950-5,670 | MDACC patients only | MDACC record |
| Hotel (med rate) | $89-200/night | $2,670-6,000 | Anyone | No |
All costs include one-time fees where applicable. 30-day totals are estimates. Hotels and furnished apartments qualify for the TX hotel tax exemption (up to 17% savings) at 30+ consecutive days.
How to maximize your chances of getting free housing
Apply to every program you qualify for on the same day you get your treatment schedule. Do not wait until you arrive in Houston. Waitlists at Hope Lodge and Hospitality Apartments run weeks to months. Apply to both simultaneously — and to Halo House if you have a blood cancer.
Ask your social worker to submit referrals for you. Hospital social workers can expedite applications and know which programs have current openings. At MD Anderson, request your assigned social worker on your first day. At other TMC hospitals, ask for Patient Services or Social Work.
Call Hospitality Apartments every 4 weeks to stay on the waitlist. Their policy requires you to call monthly — if you miss a call, you lose your place. Set a recurring calendar reminder.
Have a backup plan. Book a hotel or extended-stay property for your first few days or weeks while waiting for a spot to open. Many patients transition from a hotel to free housing once they reach the top of the waitlist.
Ask about financial assistance for interim housing costs. The American Cancer Society, CancerCare, Patient Advocate Foundation, and many hospital-specific charity funds offer grants to help cover lodging costs while you wait for free housing.
Financial assistance for cancer patient lodging in Houston
Even if you don't qualify for free housing — or while you're waiting for a spot — several organizations can help cover lodging costs:
- American Cancer Society: Emergency lodging grants and transportation assistance. Call 1-800-227-2345.
- CancerCare: Financial assistance grants for cancer-related costs including lodging. Apply at cancercare.org.
- Patient Advocate Foundation: Co-pay relief and financial aid for treatment-related expenses.
- Hospital charity funds: Most TMC hospitals have discretionary funds for patient lodging emergencies. Ask your social worker.
- IRS medical deduction: Lodging costs during medical treatment (up to $50/night per person) may be tax-deductible. Keep all receipts.
Tax tip: For stays of 30+ consecutive nights at the same address, the Texas hotel tax exemption saves up to 17% on your total lodging cost. This applies to hotels, extended-stay properties, and furnished apartments. See all financial assistance options →
More Houston medical lodging guides
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Rotary House, Hope Lodge, and all MDACC-specific options
Houston Methodist
Lodging near Houston Methodist Cancer Center
Baylor St. Luke's
Texas Heart Institute and cardiac patient lodging
Memorial Hermann
Trauma, transplant, and neuroscience lodging
Texas Children's Hospital
Pediatric cancer and family lodging near TMC
Frequently Asked Questions
What free housing is available for cancer patients in Houston?
Houston has more free cancer patient housing than any other U.S. city. Hope Lodge Houston offers 64 completely free suites for adult cancer patients. The Hospitality Apartments provide 46 free furnished apartments (one-time cleaning fee of $100-$140). Dan's House of Hope offers free housing for young adults ages 18-39. All three are within the Texas Medical Center area. Social worker referrals are recommended for Hope Lodge; Hospitality Apartments accept self-referrals.
How do I apply for Hope Lodge in Houston?
Ask your oncology social worker or treatment team to submit a referral to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Houston. You must be an adult cancer patient in active outpatient treatment at a TMC-area center and live 40 or more miles from the treatment facility. One caregiver stays with you at no charge. Apply as early as possible — ideally when you first receive your treatment schedule, not when you arrive. Waitlists can run days to several weeks. Phone: (713) 848-8905.
Is Halo House only for blood cancer patients?
Yes. Halo House Foundation exclusively serves patients with blood cancers — leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. You must be in active treatment at a Texas Medical Center institution with at least one weekly appointment. The cost is $25/night for a one-bedroom or $35/night for a two-bedroom apartment, plus a $85 cleaning fee and $100 refundable deposit. You must live 50 or more miles from TMC and have a caregiver present at all times. No physician referral is required — apply online at application.halohousefoundation.org.
What is the cheapest lodging for cancer patients in Houston?
The cheapest options are free: Hope Lodge (64 suites, $0), Hospitality Apartments (46 apartments, $0 plus cleaning fee), and Dan's House of Hope (free, ages 18-39). The next cheapest is Halo House at $25-35/night (blood cancer only). Aishel House charges approximately $50/night and accepts any diagnosis. After that, Extended Stay America properties near TMC start at $61-104/night with a Joe's House code. For stays over 30 days, the Texas hotel tax exemption saves an additional 17%.
Can I stay at Hope Lodge if I'm being treated at Houston Methodist or Memorial Hermann?
Yes. Hope Lodge Houston serves adult cancer patients receiving outpatient treatment at any TMC-area cancer center — not just MD Anderson. This includes Houston Methodist Cancer Center, Memorial Hermann Cancer Center, Baylor St. Luke's, and other TMC institutions. The key requirements are: active outpatient cancer treatment, living 40+ miles from the facility, and a social worker referral.
How long can I stay at free cancer housing programs in Houston?
It varies by program. Hope Lodge has no fixed maximum stay — you can remain as long as you are in active outpatient treatment, though periodic reviews occur. Hospitality Apartments allow a minimum of 2 weeks and maximum of 3 months. Halo House allows a minimum of 2 weeks and maximum of 3 months (4 months for allogeneic stem cell transplant with physician letter). Dan's House of Hope requires a minimum stay of 3 nights.
What if all free housing programs have waitlists?
Apply to multiple programs simultaneously — there is no rule against being on multiple waitlists. While waiting, consider Aishel House ($50/night, any diagnosis), Halo House ($25-35/night if you have blood cancer), or Extended Stay America with a Joe's House code ($61-104/night). Ask your social worker about emergency lodging funds — many hospitals and cancer support organizations have discretionary funds for patients who need immediate housing assistance.
Are there lodging options for caregivers of cancer patients?
Most programs accommodate caregivers. Hope Lodge allows one caregiver per patient at no additional charge. Hospitality Apartments require a 24/7 caregiver (also free). Halo House requires a caregiver to live with the patient ($25-35/night covers both). Hotels and furnished apartments have no restrictions on guests. If a caregiver needs their own separate room (for example, if there are two caregivers rotating), ask your social worker about additional options.
Reviewed by RelocateMeTX Editorial Team
Content verified March 2026. Relocation information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial, legal, or medical advice.