Why you need to update your address with your housing program

If you move to a new address while receiving housing assistance — whether Section 8, public housing, emergency rental assistance, or another program — you must notify the agency managing your benefits. Mail from your program office, lease verification requests, and rent payment instructions all go to the address on file. If you do not update it, you may miss critical deadlines, lose your voucher, or have your case closed without warning.

The process differs depending on which program you use and whether you are moving within the same jurisdiction or to a different city or state. Some programs allow you to update online or by phone; others require an in-person visit. Starting the process before you move — not after — prevents gaps in your assistance.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your housing authority or program administrator at least two weeks before you move to report your new address and get written confirmation of the change.
  • If you are moving out of state with a Section 8 voucher, you must request a portability letter from your current housing authority before you leave.
  • Moving within the same city usually requires only an address update; moving to a different jurisdiction may require a new lease inspection and approval of the new unit.
  • Keep all written confirmation of your address change, including emails or letters from the program office, in case there is a dispute about when you notified them.

How to update your address with Section 8 or public housing

Contact your local public housing authority (PHA) directly — this is the agency that issued your voucher or manages your public housing unit. You can usually find their phone number on your lease, your voucher document, or by searching "[your city] public housing authority." Call the address update line or visit the office in person with your voucher and a piece of mail showing your new address.

Some housing authorities allow you to update online through a tenant portal. Log in with your case number and PIN (printed on your voucher or lease) and look for "change of address" or "update contact information." If you use the online method, print or screenshot the confirmation page and save it. Do not rely on the update being processed without written proof.

If you are moving within the same city and keeping the same landlord, an address change is usually all that is required. If you are moving to a different unit or a different landlord, you will also need to submit a new lease and request a housing quality standards (HQS) inspection of the new unit before you move in. The housing authority will not approve your move until the new unit passes inspection.

Moving out of state with a Section 8 voucher

If you plan to use your Section 8 voucher in a different state, you must request a portability letter from your current housing authority before you leave. This letter tells the receiving housing authority that your voucher is portable and that you are in good standing. Without it, the new state's housing authority may refuse to honor your voucher.

Contact your current housing authority at least 30 days before your move and ask for a portability request. Provide the name and address of the housing authority in the state where you are moving. The two agencies will communicate directly; you do not need to carry documents between them. Once the receiving authority approves portability, you can search for a unit in the new state and have it inspected under that state's rules.

Some housing authorities charge a small fee for portability processing, though many do not. Ask about the fee when you request the letter. The process typically takes two to four weeks, so plan ahead if your move date is firm.

Updating your address for emergency rental assistance

Emergency rental assistance programs are run by city or county agencies, and the process for updating your address depends on which program helped you. If you received assistance and are still in the same jurisdiction, contact the program office that processed your case. They will have a record of your case number and can update your mailing address over the phone or by email.

If you are moving to a different city or county, you may not be able to update your address with the original program — instead, you will need to contact the program in your new location if you need additional assistance. Keep copies of all approval letters and payment records from your original program in case you need to prove you received assistance for tax purposes or for a future application.

What to do if your address change is not processed

If you move and do not receive expected mail from your program within two weeks, contact the housing authority or program office immediately. Explain that you submitted an address change and ask them to confirm the new address on file. Request that they resend any recent notices to your new address.

If the program says they have no record of your address change, provide the date you notified them and the name of the person you spoke with, if you remember it. If you updated online, reference the confirmation page you saved. Ask the program to process the change that day and to send written confirmation to your new address.

If your case was closed or your voucher was terminated while you were moving, contact the program office in writing (email or certified mail) and explain the timeline. Many programs will reopen a case if you can show you attempted to notify them of your move before the closure.

Documents you may need to provide

When you update your address, have the following ready: your case number or voucher number, a piece of mail showing your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your ID. If you are moving to a new unit, you will also need a signed lease from the new landlord and the landlord's contact information.

For out-of-state moves with Section 8, you will need the name and address of the receiving housing authority. If you do not know it, search "[state name] housing authority" or call 211 and ask for the housing authority in your destination city.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move before I notify my housing authority?

You can move, but you should notify the program before you leave or within a few days of arriving at your new address. Waiting longer than a week increases the risk that mail will be returned and your case may be flagged for non-compliance. Always notify them in writing or by phone so there is a record.

What happens if I move and do not tell my housing authority?

If the program cannot reach you at your old address and you do not respond to notices, your case may be closed and your voucher terminated. Reopening a closed case is possible but takes time and requires you to prove you were not intentionally avoiding contact. It is much faster to update your address proactively.

Do I need permission from my housing authority to move?

For Section 8, you need approval to move to a different unit or landlord, but not to move within the same unit. For public housing, you typically cannot move to a different unit without requesting a transfer. Emergency rental assistance does not restrict where you live, but you must report your address for mail delivery.

How long does it take to process an address change?

A simple address update usually takes one to three business days. If you are moving to a new unit and need an HQS inspection, the process takes one to four weeks depending on the housing authority's inspection schedule. Out-of-state portability requests take two to four weeks.

What if I move and my new landlord will not accept Section 8?

You cannot move to a unit where the landlord refuses Section 8. The housing authority will not inspect or approve a unit if the landlord will not sign the lease addendum. You must find a different unit with a landlord who accepts the program before you move.