How to Use Rental Vouchers to Move to Another County in Mississippi

If you rent in Mississippi and need to move to a different county—whether for work, family, or a new opportunity—you may wonder how your Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher works in this situation. Good news: renters in Mississippi can often use their vouchers to relocate to another county, but the process requires following specific steps and working with the right agencies.

Understanding Portability of Housing Choice Vouchers in Mississippi

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) allows low-income renters to afford safe and decent housing. In Mississippi, "portability" means you can transfer your voucher from your current county to another, as long as you follow required steps.

• Administering Agency: Your local Public Housing Agency (PHA) handles voucher administration. Each Mississippi county has its own PHA or uses Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) for areas without one.
• State Tenant Tribunal: Rental disputes in Mississippi are handled by the Mississippi Justice Court, which is the main authority for landlord-tenant matters.
• Key Legislation: For Mississippi renters, the relevant code is the Mississippi Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Title 89, Chapter 8, Mississippi Code)¹.

Before you move, it's important to confirm you qualify for portability and notify your PHA properly.

Action Steps: Moving with Your Voucher Across County Lines

Below are the key actions and forms needed to move with your voucher in Mississippi:

1. Check Your Eligibility

• Generally, you must live in your current PHA's area for at least 12 months before moving, unless your voucher was issued for a different jurisdiction.

2. Notify Your Current PHA

• Contact your PHA in writing before you move. Each PHA may have a different process, but you typically submit a formal transfer request.
• Ask for the "Voucher Portability Request" form, used to start the process.
• Find your PHA using the official Mississippi PHA directory.

3. Submit the HUD-52665 Family Portability Information Form

• Form: Family Portability Information Form (HUD-52665)
• When to Use: Your current PHA will complete this form after you request to move and will forward it to the receiving PHA in the new county.
• Example: After notifying your PHA, you provide the address of where you want to move. The PHA uses HUD-52665 to coordinate with the new county's housing authority.

4. Coordinate with the Receiving PHA

• After the transfer paperwork is started, the receiving PHA will run its own eligibility check and may require additional paperwork or a briefing.
• You must follow all deadlines and communications from both PHAs.

5. Finalize Your Move

• Once approved, search for a rental in the new county that accepts your voucher.
• Complete any further paperwork and attend any required briefings with the new PHA.

Relevant Forms and Official Links

• Voucher Portability Request (provided by your current PHA): Starts the process of moving your voucher. Used after living in your PHA’s jurisdiction for at least 12 months.
• Family Portability Information Form (HUD-52665): Official HUD-52665 PDF. Completed by your PHA and forwarded to the receiving PHA when you request portability.

Visit HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Page or your local housing authority portal for more on using your voucher.

1. Can I use my voucher to move anywhere in Mississippi?
   Generally, yes—provided you have lived in your current PHA's jurisdiction for at least 12 months and the receiving county has a Housing Choice Voucher program.
2. Will my rent portion change if I move counties?
   Possibly. Payment standards and utility allowances may differ between counties, so your portion could go up or down depending on local costs.
3. What if a landlord in the new county doesn't accept vouchers?
   You must find a landlord who participates in the Housing Choice Voucher program. Search using the receiving PHA’s resources to find eligible property owners.
4. Is there a waiting list when I move to another county?
   Most moves do not require going on a new waiting list, but check with the receiving PHA. Some smaller counties may have limited funding or delays.
5. Where can I get help if the process is confusing?
   Contact your PHA, the Mississippi Home Corporation, or legal aid resources listed below if you have difficulties navigating portability requirements.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• HUD: Housing Choice Voucher Program Overview
• Mississippi Home Corporation (Section 8): Statewide contact for rental assistance and portability information
• Mississippi Justice Court: Handles rental disputes and tenant rights
• Mississippi Legal Services: Free legal assistance for low-income renters
• HUD Mississippi Tenant Rights and Responsibilities

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1. Mississippi Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (2023)

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