How to transfer a section 8 voucher to another state – Moving to a different state with your family for a fresh start can be a thrilling and exciting time. A lot of people relocate to a new state for a change of scenery or to get a lower cost of living or to access better job and educational opportunities. While you embark on your new journey you get plenty of opportunities to make lifelong memories in a new location.
You might wonder how to transfer a Section 8 voucher to another state. This guide will shed light on how to transfer Section 8 voucher benefits to another state in the USA seamlessly. Section 8 housing voucher holders who are relocating to a different state have to meet certain criteria to make the procedure easy and smooth.
Highlights of this Post
What are Section 8 vouchers?
As part of its Housing Choice Voucher program, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development makes affordable, safe, and sanitary housing available for low-income families, disabled individuals, and the elderly. A voucher is issued to tenants that they can use anywhere in the country, regardless of their state of residence. The PHAs are responsible for administering the program on a local level
Section 8 voucher program is a nationwide program so it can be beneficial to transfer or port the voucher to another state.
The federal assistance government known as Housing Choice also programmed to assist elderly, low-income people and disabled individuals to find sanitary and safe housing in their private market. There are more than 2000 public housing agencies in local communities and America with funds sponsored by HUD.
Upon receiving a confirmation from the PHA, you will need to find a Housing Authority in the new state. If you live in an area without a PHA that offers rental assistance, you will not be able to transfer your voucher. You can contact your local PHA if there is an agency situated in that jurisdiction so that they can ensure the qualification requirements for the location are similar to those at your current residence.
What Does Porting A Section 8 Voucher Mean?
The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1999 led to the introduction of voucher portability by HUD. Porting of Section 8 vouchers refers to a transfer process that enables Section 8 voucher holders to move to a new state while maintaining the housing subsidy at a new place outside the jurisdiction of their current public Housing Authority.
Housing vouchers are designed to be ported or transferred allowing moves to any city or state in the US in which a public housing authority operates the voucher program. While transferring the Section 8 voucher the amount of subsidy may change based on the family size, composition in the local area and the median income. In other words, tenants can receive less or more financial support through the program.
Read also: Single Family Homes for Rent that Accept Section 8
What Are The Advantages Of Transferring Section 8 Vouchers To Another State?
Following are the top benefits of Section 8 voucher portability
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Better Housing Options
The Section 8 voucher portability enabled low-income families and individuals to move to different states with better schools, job opportunities, safer environments or for any other purposes that are not available in their present location.
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Promote Integration And Diversity In Communities
The Section 8 voucher portability promotes integration and diversity in communities and enables low-income families to access opportunities to move to areas with better resources and higher income.
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Access To More Services And Opportunities
Moving to a new state helps to provide families and individuals with better access to transportation, school, healthcare, education, job and many other essential services. In this way, they access better opportunities while retaining their rental subsidies.
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Greater Flexibility
The Section 8 voucher portability offers eligible families and individuals better control and greater flexibility over their lives since they can decide where to live and work while reaping the same housing assistance from the program.
How To Transfer Section 8 Voucher To Another State?
Following are the steps that you can take to transfer your Section 8 voucher to another state.
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Contact Your Public Housing Authority Near You And Notify Them
The first and foremost step before transferring your Section 8 voucher to another state, is to contact your local public housing authority and notify them about your intention to relocate to a different state. The process may take a month or so to process your Section 8 voucher therefore it is necessary to give the authorities adequate time.
Public housing authorities in such cases will check if candidates are still qualified to get Section 8 housing choice voucher assistance. They will also verify if candidates have outstanding debts or legal issues with the current rental housing. On approval, they will issue a new Section 8 voucher that candidates can use in the new state.
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Inform Your Landlord
You also have to inform your landlord about your intention to move to a different state. There will be a clause in your lease stating the terms and conditions under which you can break your lease. It is important to check the lease so that you know what you need to do in such cases.
Generally, candidates need to give their landlord advanced notice for instance prior 30 days notice and provide a written statement. The representatives of the public housing agency send a notice form along with the transfer packet that requires the landlord’s signature. The authorities will not allow you to transfer your Section 8 voucher to a different state if your current lease is still active.
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Public Housing Authorities Will Verify Your New Location
Local housing authorities will ask your new location where you are planning to move to confirm that the Section 8 vouchers are accessible in the city or state to which you are transferring.
On verifying your new location the authorities will proceed with the next step and obtain documentation from your new public housing authority. If there is no branch of the public house in authority in your new location you will not be able to transfer your Section 8 voucher.
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Submit Documents To The New Public Housing Authority
Once you get all the required information and documents from your new public housing authority you need to send them to your present housing agency. Following is the list of documents that you need to send to your new public Housing Authority
- HUD form 52665
- HUD form 50058
- Social Security numbers and cards of all the household members
- Birth certificates of all the household members
- Government-issued photo IDs
- Proof of your household income.
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Fill The Form And Wait For Approval
Candidates need to make sure they have filled out the form correctly without missing any details and have included all the relevant documents required. Incorrect or incomplete submission of forms will delay the process.
The procedure takes a month or two to complete and your new public housing authority will contact you once the application procedure is completed. Few public housing authorities will conduct a background check or an interview as a part of their application procedure.
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Search For A New Home
Once you get approval you can look for a home in the new place where you are relocating to. It is important to note that many landlords reject Section 8 voucher holders and hesitate to take part in the Section 8 housing program.
Make sure you work with the landlord who is participating in the Section 8 program and is ready to accept Section 8 tenants before you look at their properties. You can search online on popular websites like Zillow or apartments.com or seek recommendations from your friends or family.
Once you have selected a house of your preferred choice you can let your local housing authority know and they will inspect the property and confirm whether the house meets the quality standards set by HUD.
What Are The Restrictions Of Section 8 Vouchers?
Changes in health or mental status, employment and personal situation frequently require individuals who are Section 8 holders to relocate to a different state. The HUD allows HCV vouchers to be transferred to a new location if they meet the eligibility criteria.
While it is possible to transfer a Section 8 voucher you need to be aware of the limitations of the Section 8 housing choice voucher program. The portability rules and regulations state that candidates must be living in their current assisted housing unit for a minimum of a year before they are eligible to transfer the voucher.
Following are the restrictions and limitations that may be associated with Section 8 voucher portability
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Time Limitations
Section 8 voucher holders can use the vouchers within a particular period before they expire. The time limitations for vouchers vary from one public housing authority to another.
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Program Guidelines And Rules
Eligible Section 8 holders have to continue to follow the guidelines, rules and regulations set by the new public housing authority which may be different from that of the initial public housing authority.
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Restrictions On Location
Some public housing authorities impose restrictions on locations where holders can use Section 8 vouchers. For instance, certain Section 8 vouchers can be used in certain cities or counties.
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Limited Funding Opportunities
The Section 8 voucher portability is subject to the availability of funds and several vouchers available with the receiving public authority. Many times section 8 transfer is not possible due to the huge demand for housing assistance in a few States.
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Other Pertinent Rules
If you have received HUD voucher assistance for less than a year then you are not eligible to transfer the voucher to your new location until and unless you are a victim of domestic abuse or violence.
Moreover, if you have been evicted from your housing unit and have violated any terms or conditions of your lease you will fail to transfer your Section 8 voucher. It is important to check with your housing authority to learn about the restrictions before you embark on the journey of the transfer process.
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Exceptions To Transfer Rules
When your transfer request for Section 8 is denied, you may be able to ask the office to reconsider their decision. This is possible if:
- either you or someone in your family is disabled;
- either you or someone in your family has experienced domestic violence or abuse.
What Are The Factors That May Affect The Process Of Transferring Section 8 Vouchers to Another State?
There are many reasons why the process of transferring a Section 8 voucher to another state can be affected. These factors are as follows
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Income Criteria
Some public housing authorities have different income limitations and eligibility criteria for providing voucher assistance to eligible families. Your income should meet the guidelines of the public housing authorities in the state where you are relocating if you want to continue receiving rental subsidies.
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Availability Or Rental Vouchers
The public housing authority of your new location has funds and vouchers available to accommodate families on the waiting list. If there is a huge demand for the Section 8 housing assistance program in the new state where you’re relocating it may be challenging for you to transfer or port the voucher.
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Difference In Housing Market
There is no doubt the cost of housing and rental options may differ between states in America and this can affect the amount of assistance that you can receive from your voucher. Eligible families have to adjust their search for affordable housing based on the rental rates in the new state.
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Timeliness And Administrative Procedure
Every public housing authority in America has its own timeliness and administrative procedure that can impact how much time it will take to transfer the Section 8 voucher to your new location. Eligible individuals and families need to plan, arrange all the documents and allow sufficient time for the entire process to be completed.
Recommended: How to Find Private Landlords That Accept Section 8
How Long Does It Take To Transfer A Section 8 Voucher To Another State?
Timing is a significant factor that influences Section 8 transferability or portability to make sure there is no disruption over rental subsidy during the move. A significant amount of time is required to accommodate the application process from appointments, inspection and approval of Section 8 transfer requests.
The porting process takes around 30 to 45 days on average however it may take longer based on the workload of PHA. It is important to apply for Section 8 portability transfer in advance before relocating.
Failing to do so in sufficient time may refrain you from getting a rental subsidy through the program and leave you without a roof over your head temporarily.
What Are The Costs Included In The Porting of Section 8 vouchers?
Participants of the program have to pay extra expenses like moving costs, security deposits, living expenses, utility bills, and transportation during the move out of their pocket as the program does not cover these costs. Eligible tenants transferring their Section 8 voucher to another state with a criminal record or eviction history struggle to find a suitable apartment or housing to rent. However, a lot of nonprofits and government programs provide low-income tenants with a second chance so that they can remain housed.
Recommended: Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program
Conclusion
Section 8 housing choice voucher program is an excellent way to secure affordable and stable housing for low-income individuals and families. If you are a voucher holder and would like to move to a new state for any reason it is possible to transfer the Section 8 voucher and receive benefits in your new place. There are certain steps that you need to follow to make a smooth transition. Ask for guidance from a local public housing authority on how to transfer the voucher to another state.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Section 8 Voucher Portability?
Section 8 voucher portability is a process of porting or transferring the Section 8 voucher from one public housing agency to another agency across the state. This enables eligible voucher holders to relocate to a new area and retain their Section 8 rental subsidy. Voucher portability was implemented to give low-income individuals the opportunity to move to different locations with better schools, job and safer environments.
Why Do People Transfer Their Section 8 Vouchers to Another State?
There are a lot of reasons why people decide to transfer their Section 8 housing voucher program to another state. These include changing family situational employment, availing better housing options, accessing better quality schools, relocating for health reasons, cost of living, accessing better job opportunities etc.
Can I enter the unit before the paperwork has been processed?
This is theoretically possible, but we do not recommend you do so. Before you move into a unit, it must be determined that you are eligible for the program, it must pass an inspection of the quality standards, and the rent must be reasonable.
How much will I pay?
A rent change notice letter will be sent to you following the unit’s inspection and payment of the lease. This letter will include the amount of rent you must pay.
How much is my voucher worth?
The amount of Section 8 benefits will be based on how much income you make per month. The “Affordability” sheet will be provided to you once all your documents are received and processed. You can find what is the maximum income of section 8 before applying to this program.
Can I add someone to my voucher?
No. Your housing authority will only be able to process the household composition as determined during the portability process.
I wish to cancel the transfer and return to my original Housing Authority. What should I do?
The documents will need to be returned to your initial Housing Authority after you submit a written statement stating that you want to cancel your transfer request. Then you must inform your original Housing Authority that your transfer request has been canceled.
My voucher has expired and I have not submitted a rental approval application. What do I do now?
You will be notified by the Housing Authority through a closed file letter that your file is being closed and all of your documents will be returned to the original Housing Authority since you don’t have a signed lease. Furthermore, you will have the right to appeal the decision and to cancel your request for port transfer after receiving the closed file letter.
