How to Transfer Your Section 8 Voucher in NYC: Moving to a New Apartment

One of the key benefits of a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is portability—you can take your rental assistance with you when you move. But transferring isn't automatic. You need approval before you move, and the process differs depending on which agency administers your voucher and where you're moving. This guide covers everything NYC voucher holders need to know about transferring within the city, to another state, or from another area into NYC.

The Golden Rule: Get Approval First

Never move out of your current apartment without written authorization from your Housing Authority. If you move without approval, you risk losing your voucher entirely. This applies whether you're moving across the street or across the country.

The process requires you to:

Request a transfer

Get approved for a transfer voucher

Find a new apartment that passes inspection

Receive written move-in authorization

Then—and only then—move

Who Administers Your Voucher?

Three agencies administer Section 8 vouchers in NYC, and each has slightly different transfer procedures:

NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority): The largest program, serving over 100,000 households. Contact the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 or use the Self-Service Portal at selfserve.nycha.info.

HPD (Department of Housing Preservation and Development): Contact Client Services at 917-286-4300 or visit 100 Gold Street, Manhattan.

HCR (New York State Homes and Community Renewal): Contact the Subsidy Services Bureau at 212-480-6672.

The agency name should be on your voucher and HAP contract. If you're unsure, call the number on your most recent recertification paperwork.

Transfer Types

Non-Emergency Transfers (Within NYC)

For a routine move within the five boroughs when there's no urgent safety issue:

NYCHA requirements:

Must be a tenant in good standing (current on rent, recertification complete, no pending termination)

Cannot have transferred within the past 12 months

Must notify your current landlord in writing of your intent to transfer

Submit the Voucher Holder Request for Transfer (Form 059.004) via the Self-Service Portal or at a Walk-In Center

HPD requirements:

Must be in good standing with HPD and your landlord

Must have completed an annual recertification within the last six months

Cannot be facing eviction or have a Housing Court case pending

Need either an expired lease or a General Release form signed by your current landlord

Submit the Request to Move Form (available on HPD's website or at 100 Gold Street)

HPD reviews requests within 14 calendar days

Emergency Transfers

Emergency transfers get prioritized and may allow you to move even if you wouldn't otherwise qualify. Both NYCHA and HPD recognize these emergency categories:

VAWA (Violence Against Women Act): Victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. You can self-certify without third-party documentation under VAWA protections.

Intimidated Witness/Victim: If you've witnessed or been victimized by a crime and face ongoing threat. Requires documentation such as a police report or DA letter.

Victim of Traumatic Incident: Experienced a serious crime or trauma at your current address. Requires documentation from law enforcement or a service provider.

Court Action: You're facing eviction through no fault of your own (e.g., landlord holdover, building sale).

24-Hour Life-Threatening HQS Violations: Your unit has dangerous conditions like gas leaks or structural collapse that cannot be repaired.

Fire or Natural Disaster: Your unit is uninhabitable due to fire, flood, or other disaster.

Emergency transfers require specific documentation depending on the category. NYCHA's Tenant Transfer Fact Sheet (Form 059.648) lists exactly what's needed for each type.

Portability (Moving Outside NYC)

"Portability" means transferring your voucher to another Public Housing Authority anywhere in the United States. Your voucher is truly portable—you can use it in any jurisdiction that operates a Housing Choice Voucher program.

To port out of NYC:

• Submit a transfer request indicating you want to move outside the five boroughs
• Specify which area you're moving to (the receiving PHA)
• NYCHA or HPD forwards your paperwork to the receiving PHA
• The receiving PHA issues you a local voucher and briefs you on their rules
• You search for housing in the new area under their program

Important differences when you port:

The receiving PHA may have different occupancy standards (your 3-bedroom voucher might become a 2-bedroom)

Payment standards vary by location (your portion of rent may increase or decrease)

The receiving PHA's rules apply once you move

Income limits and criminal background standards may differ

The receiving PHA extends your voucher by 30 days when you port in

To port into NYC:

If you have a Section 8 voucher from another city and want to move to NYC:

• Contact your current PHA and request to port to NYC
• Your PHA sends your paperwork to either NYCHA or HPD (your choice, generally)
• NYCHA/HPD reviews your file and contacts you for a briefing appointment
• You receive a local voucher and begin your apartment search under NYC rules
• Your voucher is automatically extended 30 days when porting in

For HPD port-ins, you must meet HPD's income limits. For NYCHA, contact S8Portability@nycha.nyc.gov with your current contact information after your PHA initiates the transfer.

The Transfer Process Step-by-Step

Step 1: Request the Transfer

NYCHA: Submit via Self-Service Portal (selfserve.nycha.info) or call 718-707-7771 for the form. The portal is fastest.

HPD: Download the Move Request Form from HPD's website, pick it up at 100 Gold Street, or request by mail.

Include all required documentation, especially for emergency transfers. Incomplete requests cause delays.

Step 2: Wait for Approval

NYCHA reviews and categorizes your request as emergency or non-emergency. HPD responds within 14 calendar days.

If approved, you'll receive a transfer voucher authorizing you to search for a new apartment.

Step 3: Pick Up Your Voucher

NYCHA: Access your approved voucher through the Self-Service Portal.

HPD: Attend a briefing at HPD where you'll receive your move package (voucher and landlord package).

Step 4: Find a New Apartment

Your transfer voucher is valid for a limited time:

NYCHA: 180 days (120 days initial + automatic 60-day extension)

HPD: 120 days

The clock pauses when you submit a complete rental packet and resumes if the rental falls through.

Use this time to find a unit that:

Meets your voucher's bedroom size

Has rent within the payment standard (or you can afford the difference)

Has a landlord willing to participate in Section 8

Will pass HQS inspection

Step 5: Submit the Rental Packet

Once you find an apartment, the landlord completes their portion of the paperwork. You submit the full packet to your Housing Authority.

Step 6: Inspection

The new unit must pass an HQS inspection before you can move in. The landlord schedules the inspection after the rental packet is approved.

Step 7: Get Written Move-In Authorization

Do not move until you receive written authorization. For NYCHA, this is the move-in letter. For HPD, these are the Transfer Approval documents.

HPD mails Transfer Approval documents within seven days of the passed inspection. You can also pick them up at 100 Gold Street.

Step 8: Move

Once you have written authorization:

Sign your new lease

Coordinate the move-out from your old unit and move-in to your new unit

Your old landlord and new landlord should not both be receiving HAP payments for the same month

What If Your Voucher Expires?

If you can't find an apartment before your transfer voucher expires:

NYCHA: You can request an extension for good cause (disability accommodation, documented difficulty finding housing, etc.)

HPD: You won't be eligible for another move voucher for 12 months, but you keep your current apartment and subsidy

Extensions are not automatic. Request them before your voucher expires and document your search efforts.

Common Reasons Transfers Get Denied

• Not in good standing (behind on rent, missed recertification, pending termination)
• Transferred within the past 12 months (for non-emergency transfers)
• Active Housing Court case
• Missing documentation for emergency transfer
• Household composition changes not yet processed

If you need to add or remove someone from your household, complete that process before requesting a transfer.

Moving Costs

Your Housing Authority does not pay for:

Moving expenses

Broker fees

Security deposits

Budget for these costs before initiating a transfer. Note that under NYC's source of income protections, landlords cannot charge you a higher security deposit than they charge non-voucher tenants.

Transfers Within the Same Building

Even if you're just moving to a different apartment in your current building, you need Housing Authority approval. The new unit must pass inspection and go through the standard approval process.

For HPD, the property management and tenant submit a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) to the Move Unit.

PACT/RAD Transfers

If you live in a PACT (Permanent Affordability Commitment Together) development—a former public housing property converted to Section 8—you have additional transfer options:

Intra-PACT transfers: Moving within your current PACT development. Contact your PACT property management office.

Inter-PACT transfers: Moving to a different PACT development. Submit through the Self-Service Portal using the "Inter PACT/Trust Transfers" button. These are limited to emergency categories and depend on unit availability. You cannot select a specific development or borough.

Port-out: You can port your voucher out of a PACT development to any Section 8 landlord, following standard portability procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the transfer process take? It varies widely. Allow at least 2-3 months for non-emergency transfers. Emergency transfers may be faster but still require finding housing and passing inspection.

Can I transfer if I have a Housing Court case? Generally no. HPD will not approve a move request if your landlord is suing you for non-payment. Resolve the case first or seek legal help.

What if my current landlord won't sign the General Release? For HPD, you need either an expired lease OR a General Release. If your lease has expired, you don't need the landlord's signature on a release. If your lease is current, you may need to wait until it expires or negotiate with your landlord.

Can I keep my voucher if I move and the new place doesn't work out? If you followed proper procedures and received move-in authorization, yes—you can request another transfer (after 12 months for non-emergency). If you moved without authorization, you may have lost your voucher.

Does the receiving PHA have to accept me? They must accept your voucher, but you still have to meet their eligibility requirements. Most PHAs have similar rules, but some differences exist (particularly around criminal background).

Can I port if I'm a new voucher holder? For NYCHA, you must typically complete your initial lease term before porting. VASH voucher holders need VA approval to port. Contact your Housing Authority for your specific situation.

What happens to my security voucher when I move? For CityFHEPS/FHEPS, the security voucher process starts fresh with your new landlord. For Section 8, security deposits work like any other tenancy—your old landlord returns your deposit (minus legitimate deductions), and you pay a new deposit to your new landlord.

Contact Information

NYCHA Section 8:

Customer Contact Center: 718-707-7771

Self-Service Portal: selfserve.nycha.info

Portability Unit: S8Portability@nycha.nyc.gov

Transfers page

HPD Section 8:

Client Services: 917-286-4300

Office: 100 Gold Street, Room 1-0, Manhattan (9am-4pm, Monday-Friday)

Moving page

Section 8 Forms

HCR Section 8:

Subsidy Services Bureau: 212-480-6672

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Looking for a new apartment with your transfer voucher? Browse available listings from landlords who accept Section 8.

Landlord with a vacancy? List your property and connect with voucher holders actively searching.