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Moving is expensive. Even if you decide not to hire a full-service moving company you still have to set aside some of your budget for things like packing supplies and transportation costs. Depending on your situation, you may also need additional funds to accommodate storage, time off of work, and the various costs of moving to a new house or apartment. Fortunately, if you’re in a tough financial spot you may qualify for a low-income moving assistance program through various local organizations or national charities.
Emergency moving assistance programs help individuals and families bridge the financial gap of moving expenses. In some cases, they may cover 100% of your moving fees. Others offer grants that can provide you with partial or full financial assistance.
If you need moving assistance, here’s where to start your search. We also include some quick tips on reducing your moving costs.
One of the first places to get help with moving expenses is local and national charities and grant organizations. There are quite a few that offer moving cost support and that may be able to assist you in your relocation.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a wealth of resources through its several programs, including public housing and rental assistance for both public housing and privately owned apartments with reduced rent.
You might also qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program through which you can choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program, be it a single-family home, townhouse or apartment. The program pays the housing subsidy directly to the landlord. The HCV homeownership program allows families to use their vouchers to buy a home and receive monthly assistance for the homeownership.
These aren’t your only options when you need emergency moving assistance. There are quite a number of local and state programs as well that offer help with moving costs, and there are even some moving companies that offer free public assistance/HRA moving programs for those who qualify.
Even if they are not able to help with moving expenses directly, your county government is a great resource for connecting you with programs that can. Ask about moving assistance programs that may be available, keeping in mind that you may need to provide specifics around what exactly you need help paying for and how much assistance you need.
Many churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious centers set aside charitable funds for helping those in the community. And like many of the other organizations and departments mentioned on this page, if they’re not able to assist you directly with moving expenses they may be able to connect you with someone who can.
Some moving companies — particularly those that specialize in eviction services — offer public assistance/HRA moving programs that provide those who qualify with no-cost moves. You’ll likely need to be undergoing an eviction yourself, but if that’s the case, then these programs can be invaluable in ensuring that you end up back on your feet.
Moving for a job? Ask the HR department if your company offers a job relocation package. It typically covers part or all of the moving expenses if you’re moving for a work-related reason. Your employer might reimburse you for moving expenses, such as the cost of hiring the movers, living in temporary housing or renting a storage unit.
When you’re working with a limited budget, it’s worth looking into anything that you can do to cut down on moving expenses and make your relocation more manageable. In addition to pursuing low-income moving assistance through the channels noted above, it may also be helpful to pursue these additional ways of reducing expenses for a more affordable move:
If you are in need of emergency moving assistance, know that help may be available. Start application processes as early as possible so that you have plenty of time to go over your options. There are also rental and mortgage assistance programs that can help you avoid a move entirely.
Laura Mueller is a professional writer with nearly five years of experience writing about moving. She is particularly interested in topics around organization, home design, and real estate, and definitely has a few tricks up her sleeve after moving eight times in eight years during her 20s. Laura believes that moving should be as stress-free of an experience as possible, and is always working on new tips and shortcuts that she can share with readers on Moving.com.View all posts by Laura Mueller
