Lesson 12
Moving with your voucher
⏱ 2 min
Key points
- You can generally take your voucher anywhere in the U.S. (portability).
- Tell your agency first and end your lease the right way.
- If you didn't live in the agency's area when you applied, you may have to stay 12 months first.
Moving with your voucher (portability)
You can generally take your voucher to any community in the United States. This is called portability. Tell your PHA ahead of time, end your current lease according to its terms, and line up a new place.
If you did not live in the PHA's area when you applied, you may have to stay there for your first 12 months. For a move to another agency's area, your current PHA contacts the new one, sends your paperwork, and works out whether the new agency will bill your old PHA or take you into its own program. The new PHA then issues you a voucher under its own rules. Details are in our guide to transferring a Section 8 voucher to another state.
From our guide: The Steps to Section 8: How to Apply and Get a Voucher
Quick check
What is “portability”?
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While you wait for housing help, SNAP, Medicaid and energy assistance can lower your other bills.
Open the benefit finderWant more detail? Read our full guide: The Steps to Section 8: How to Apply and Get a Voucher