Can I get discounted housing to stay near my child's hospital?
Published: Jun. 4, 2026Updated: Jun. 4, 2026
If you must travel a considerable distance for your child's hospital visit or extended hospital stay, you may need to stay overnight, which can be a considerable expense. Here are some tips:
- Try requesting housing from a Ronald McDonald House near the hospital. Use the Find a Chapter page to look up your area. Most Ronald McDonald House websites have a form or phone number to request free or low-cost housing for families of hospital patients. If the nearby Ronald McDonald house doesn't have room, they may be able to help coordinate booking a hotel at a discount.
- Ask the hospital if any hotels nearby provide a medical discount. For example, the Stanford Hospital has a "Where to stay" page that lists local hotels with discounts for families of patients.
- If you are a California resident, see if your child qualifies for California Children's Services (CCS). CCS can assist with a portion of costs toward a hotel stay. They can also assist with meal funds.
For more information and tips, see our full article about preparing for an extended hospital stay.
Unlock more with Undivided
Turn knowledge into action that benefits your child
Get Membership
Each piece of content has been rigorously researched, edited, and vetted to bring you the latest and most up-to-date information. Learn more about our content and research process here.
A Navigator is your Partner at each turn
Every Undivided Navigator has years of experience supporting families raising kids with disabilities or parenting their own. Partner with an Undivided Navigator for a free Kickstart to learn first hand what support feels like!
Expert-driven content, guidance, and solutions.
Member events and office hours with real answers, plus access to our private parents' group.
Priority to begin a free Kickstart of the Undivided Support System with a dedicated Navigator.
“It’s so helpful to have one place that you can go to get many answers.”–Leeza Woodbury, with Navigator Kelly since 2020
Beta
