{"id":7945,"date":"2019-07-04T22:32:56","date_gmt":"2019-07-04T22:32:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.moverscorp.com\/?p=7945"},"modified":"2025-12-22T02:43:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T02:43:11","slug":"7-things-to-know-when-moving-to-a-different-state-with-a-housing-choice-voucher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moverscorp.com\/blog\/7-things-to-know-when-moving-to-a-different-state-with-a-housing-choice-voucher\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to Know When Moving to a Different State with a Housing Choice Voucher"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In today\u2019s market, finding affordable housing is becoming increasingly difficult. Across the country, rent and housing prices are rising faster than income growth<\/a>, meaning there are fewer affordable housing options. This makes it especially difficult for low-income families<\/a>, which is why the Housing Choice Voucher program is in place. As with any family, there are times when family circumstances and employment opportunities change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, provides financial support to landlords through the Section 8 Landlord Incentive Program to help offset damages caused by renters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are receiving a housing choice voucher and you find you have to move to a new state<\/a>, it may be possible for you to continue receiving your housing benefits even in your new state. Here are 7 things you should know when moving to a different state with a housing choice voucher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. You Need to Live in Your Initial PHA for at Least 1 Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your initial PHA, or Public Housing Agency, is the actual agency that issued your first voucher when you applied and were accepted into the Housing Choice Voucher program. If you have not lived in your initial PHA for at least one year, you may lose your benefits when moving to a new state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. You Must Fulfill Your Current Lease Obligations and Give Proper Notice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you are moving to a different state and want to keep\nyour housing benefits, you will need to make sure you meet all the obligations\non your existing lease<\/a> so that your voucher can be transferred. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means meeting any of the terms you agreed to in regard to breaking the lease, giving enough notice before vacating the property (typically 30 days), etc. Failure to meet these terms may result in your transfer being delayed or denied entirely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Double Check That There Your New Area has Housing Choice Voucher Program\nCoverage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the Housing Choice Voucher program is a federal\nprogram there are areas where there is no coverage. To determine whether the\narea where you want to move has program coverage, you can check with your\ncurrent PHA. Understanding which PHA will be your receiving PHA (where you are\nmoving to) is important as you will need to make sure you abide by their policies\nwhen making the voucher transfer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your initial PHA should also be able to provide you with information regarding neighborhoods with affordable housing, nearby job opportunities, etc. in the area you are looking to move to<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Transferring Your Voucher is Known as Portability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you decide to move states with your housing benefit, you will have to deal with terms like \u2018portability.\u2019 This simply is a term used to refer to the process of moving a housing voucher from one PHA (your initial PHA that approved your voucher) to another PHA (commonly referred to as the receiving PHA, which is the PHA in the area you are moving to).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Your Initial PHA Will Help Initiate and Begin the \u201cPort\u201d Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you have determined that you will need to move you will want to submit a written request to your Section 8 housing specialist. Your Section 8 housing specialist will verify that your voucher is eligible for portability and will notify your initial PHA to begin the port-out process. This process may include re-verifying documents and re-submitting documents, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n