Good Nesting

Do You Lose Section 8 If You Move?

Will moving to a new place make you lose Section 8 assistance? We’ll tackle this crucial question so you don’t make any mistakes that can lead to trouble paying the rent.

You may have to move one day to relocate for a job, be closer to an ailing family member, or for some other reason. But if you’re receiving Section 8 housing assistance, you may be reluctant to move. Why? Because you don’t want to lose your housing voucher, as it pays a large portion of your rent and makes it easier to save money and pay other bills.

This brings up the important question of whether you lose a voucher when moving, or if you can transfer it. Let’s answer that now.

Transferring a Section 8 Housing Voucher

Here’s the good news: Yes, you can transfer a Section 8 housing voucher. In other words, you won’t necessarily lose that assistance just because you move to another place. There are some rules you’ll have to follow when transferring that voucher, however. They may vary according to location and your Public Housing Agency (PHA), but here’s the basic gist of what you can expect:

Notifying Your PHA

Since your PHA plays a huge part in the Section 8 process and is tasked with determining your eligibility, you’ll need to call or write them to let them know your moving plans.
You can do this by requesting an official transfer packet to kickstart the process.

You may hit some snags when trying to transfer your voucher to a new location, particularly if one of the following is true:

  • You’re currently in the middle of a lease with your landlord.
  • You owe the PHA or the landlord money.
  • You’ve been accused of violating Section 8 rules, and termination of your assistance is imminent.

If you don’t hit any snags and are in the clear, you’ll need to give 30-60 day notice to your landlord. Your transfer packet will likely contain such a form that must be signed and dated by both you and the landlord. Each of you will keep a copy, with another going to the PHA. If you get a notice to vacate, that should be included as well. You can then submit the packet in person to the PHA or mail it.

Reporting Family Changes

Your PHA must always know if you have any changes to the family composition in your household. If you are adding or subtracting family members for your move, you’ll need to include this info with an interim packet added to your transfer packet.

Complete an in-Person Interview

Once your transfer request is received, you’ll need to meet with a coordinator from your PHA. They will review your info, and if everything goes well, you can receive your voucher that can be used at your new location, provided it meets Section 8 standards for safety and affordability.

Before deciding to move, keep in mind that this process can be costly, even if you have a voucher. You may have travel expenses, an overlap in rent that you’ll have to pay out of pocket, the need to take time off work, etc. All of those add up and can put a big dent in your bank account, so don’t proceed without a solid plan in place.