Because a family's housing needs adjust over time with changes in family size, job locations and other reasons, the program is designed to allow families to move without the loss of rental assistance. The family must notify the housing authority ahead of time, terminate its existing lease within the lease provisions, and find acceptable alternate housing. By law, whenever a family moves to a new unit where the rent exceeds the payment standard, the family may not pay more than 40 percent of its adjusted monthly income for rent.

New voucher recipients may select a unit anywhere in the United States, as long as the family lived in the jurisdiction of the housing authority issuing the voucher when the family applied for assistance. Families that plan to move to another housing authorities jurisdiction must consult with the housing authority that currently administers their voucher to verify the moving procedures.