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Okay, let's be real for a second. It costs a lot to move. The average cost of moving within the same city is just over $3,000. For larger homes or longer distances, the cost can go up to $6,000 or more. If you don't have a lot of money, those costs can seem like a wall between you and a better place to live. You might have gotten a new job in a different city. Your current home might not be safe. You might just need a new beginning. No matter what the reason is, the money shouldn't be what keeps you stuck.
The good news is that there are real programs that can help. People with low incomes can get help moving from the federal government, state governments, nonprofits, and charities. The hard part is knowing where to look and what you can get. That's what this guide is for. I want you to know that there are resources available to help you with things like paying a security deposit, renting a moving truck, or finding cheap housing in a new area. We at AmeriSave think that everyone should have access to stable housing, and learning about these programs is a step toward that goal.
Low-income moving assistance refers to any program, grant, or service that helps people with limited financial resources cover the costs of relocating to a new home. These programs are offered by federal and state government agencies, nonprofit organizations, faith-based charities, and sometimes employers. The assistance can come in different forms: direct cash grants, reimbursement for moving expenses, vouchers for moving services, help with security deposits, or even physical help with packing and transportation.
The goal behind these programs is straightforward. Moving is often the first step toward a more stable life, whether that means leaving an unsafe living situation, accepting a better job, or finding affordable housing in a new area. When the cost of the move itself becomes the barrier, these programs step in to help bridge that gap. Eligibility typically depends on your household income relative to the area median income, your family size, your current housing situation, and in some cases the specific reason you need to relocate.
AmeriSave sees firsthand how housing costs affect families at every income level. Understanding the full range of assistance available is an important part of making smart housing decisions, whether you're renting or working toward homeownership.
The federal government operates several programs that provide moving or relocation help to qualifying individuals and families. Here are the major ones worth knowing about.
HUD housing assistance programs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development maintains a database of federal and state assistance programs, including down payment help, relocation support, and rental assistance. HUD also administers the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly known as Section 8, which helps more than 2.3 million low-income households afford safe rental housing according to HUD data. While Section 8 vouchers are primarily for ongoing rent payments, having a voucher can reduce the financial pressure of a move by making your new housing more affordable from day one. AmeriSave encourages borrowers exploring homeownership to understand how rental assistance programs fit into their longer-term housing plans.
Emergency Solutions Grants. The ESG program is federally funded through HUD and provides financial assistance for individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. ESG funds can go toward emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention, and housing search and placement services. To apply, contact your state's department of commerce or local homeless services agency, as the program is administered through local providers.
FEMA disaster relocation assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides moving assistance for people displaced by federally declared disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires. FEMA's Individuals and Households Program can help with temporary housing, moving costs, and home repairs. To qualify, your home must be in a federally declared disaster area and must be damaged to the point where you cannot live in it safely. Apply through FEMA's website or by calling their helpline.
USDA Rural Housing Service. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers grants and loans through its Rural Housing Service for individuals and families living in rural areas. The agency partners with nonprofit organizations and local agencies to provide funding for moving costs, security deposits, and related relocation expenses. If you're moving within or to a rural area, this is a resource worth checking with the USDA's Rural Development office.
Uniform Relocation Assistance Act. If you're being displaced by a federally funded project, such as highway construction or urban renewal, the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act requires the government to provide advisory services and reimbursement of reasonable moving costs. This is a specific protection that applies when a public project forces you out of your current home.
Government programs don't cover every situation, and this is the part nobody talks about enough. Nonprofit organizations fill a lot of the gaps, especially for people who don't qualify for federal assistance but still need help getting into stable housing.
Catholic Charities USA. Catholic Charities provides housing support through counseling, grants for rent payment, and programs that help with moving costs and relocation. They serve people of all backgrounds regardless of religious affiliation. Services vary by location, so contact your local chapter to find out what's available in your area.
The Salvation Army. With operations across the country, the Salvation Army offers housing assistance including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and in some locations direct help with moving expenses and security deposits. Their permanent supportive housing programs also serve low-income seniors and families. Put in your zip code on their website to find your local branch and the specific services they offer.
YWCA. Many local branches of the YWCA provide financial assistance to low-income individuals that can include security deposits, utility setup costs, and transportation assistance. Some branches also offer transitional services that cover moving and relocation expenses, particularly for women and families in crisis situations. AmeriSave recognizes that organizations like the YWCA play an important role in helping families achieve housing stability.
Modest Needs. This nonprofit specifically helps low-income families and individuals who earn too much to qualify for government welfare programs but still struggle financially. Their Self-Sufficiency Grants and Bridge Grants can cover emergency expenses including moving and relocation costs. You can apply directly through their website.
Community Action Agencies. Nearly every county in the United States has a Community Action Agency that serves as a hub for local assistance programs. CAAs receive Community Development Block Grant funding and often provide help with first month's rent, security deposits, utility connections, and sometimes direct moving assistance. Search for your local CAA online or call 211 to be connected.
Here's something I wish more people knew: your state and local government may offer relocation assistance programs that aren't widely advertised. Many states have their own housing finance agencies that administer programs for low-income residents, and city or county governments sometimes have relocation funds for specific situations.
Some cities offer relocation assistance to renters who lose their housing due to landlord actions, building code violations, or redevelopment projects. Income limits for these programs are typically set at 80% or less of the area median income, though the specific thresholds vary by location. Your county government's housing department is a good place to start. AmeriSave borrowers often find that connecting with local housing resources early in their journey makes the transition into stable housing much smoother.
The 211 helpline is one of the most underused resources available. Dialing 211 connects you with a trained specialist who can identify local programs for housing, moving assistance, utility help, and other services based on your specific situation and location. It's free, confidential, and available in most areas of the country.
AmeriSave serves borrowers in communities across the country, and we consistently see that local resources make a real difference for families who are working toward stable housing. Taking the time to call 211 or visit your local housing authority can uncover programs you didn't know existed.
Every program has its own application process, but here's a general roadmap that applies across most of them.
Start early. Most assistance programs have waiting lists or processing times that can take weeks or even months. Begin your research and applications as far ahead of your planned move date as possible.
Gather your documentation. You'll typically need proof of income such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements. You may also need identification, proof of your current address, documentation of your family size, and in some cases a letter explaining why you need to relocate. Having these documents ready before you start applying saves time and frustration. AmeriSave's team knows how important organized documentation is, and the same principle applies whether you're applying for moving assistance or a mortgage.
Contact multiple programs. Don't limit yourself to one source of help. Apply to every program you might qualify for, because not all of them will come through, and the ones that do may not cover all of your expenses. Combining a government grant with nonprofit assistance can close the gap.
Be specific about your needs. When you apply, be clear about what expenses you need help with. Moving truck rental, packing supplies, security deposit, first month's rent, and utility connection fees are all legitimate moving costs that different programs may cover.
Follow up. After submitting an application, check in periodically on the status. Programs that receive a high volume of applications may take longer to process, and a polite follow-up call can keep your application moving. AmeriSave encourages every borrower to be proactive about securing the resources available to them, because the people who follow up are the ones who get results.
Even with assistance programs, it helps to reduce your out-of-pocket costs wherever you can. Here are some practical strategies.
Move during off-peak times. Moving companies charge more during summer months and on weekends. If you can schedule your move for a weekday in the fall, winter, or early spring, you'll likely pay less.
Get free packing materials. Grocery stores, liquor stores, and big-box retailers often have boxes they're happy to give away. Ask early and pick them up before they get crushed. Newspapers, towels, and linens can replace bubble wrap for protecting fragile items.
Declutter before you move. The less you have to move, the less it costs. Sell or donate items you don't need. Every box you eliminate is weight off the truck and money back in your pocket.
Compare moving options. A full-service moving company is the most expensive option. Renting a truck and doing it yourself is cheaper. Portable moving containers fall somewhere in between. Get at least three quotes before committing to any option.
Ask about employer relocation help. If you're moving for a job, ask your new employer whether they offer any relocation assistance as part of your compensation package. Even a small allowance can help cover upfront costs. And once you're settled into your new area, AmeriSave can help you explore your options for moving from renting to owning when the time is right.
You shouldn't have to stay in a place that doesn't work for you just because moving costs too much. There are real ways to get help from the federal government, such as HUD, FEMA, and the USDA, as well as from nonprofits like Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, the YWCA, and Modest Needs. The most important thing is to start looking early, apply to more than one program, and use local resources like your Community Action Agency and the 211 helpline to find programs that are right for you. We at AmeriSave think that having stable housing is the most important thing, and sometimes that means using all the resources you have. You have good questions, and they deserve answers you can trust.
Different programs and places have different income limits. A lot of federal and state programs say that low income means making less than 80% of the median income in your area for your household size. Some nonprofit programs have their own rules about how much money you can make, and some programs, like FEMA disaster assistance, look at more than just your income. You can find out what you qualify for in your area by calling 211 or looking up the specific eligibility requirements for each program you're interested in.
Yes. Many Community Action Agencies, Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, and some local housing authority programs offer help with security deposits. The ESG program may also help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless quickly find a new place to live and pay their security deposits. AmeriSave tells people who are renting as a step toward owning a home to look into these resources.
It depends on the program. You don't have to pay back grants from groups like Modest Needs, Catholic Charities, and FEMA. Some USDA Rural Housing Service programs do offer loans that need to be paid back, but the interest rates are usually good. Before you accept help, make sure you know if it is a grant or a loan.
There are a number of programs that help people who have been victims of domestic violence. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 to get in touch with local shelters and help moving. Many YWCA branches, Catholic Charities offices, and state-funded programs that help victims also give survivors money to move in an emergency. These groups know how important it is to keep you safe.
Yes. The Department of Veterans Affairs helps veterans and service members find housing by giving them home loans and grants. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families program helps veterans quickly find new homes and avoid becoming homeless. This help can include moving costs. Call the Veterans Crisis Line or your local VA office for help finding the right program.
Times for processing can be very different. If you need help right away, some emergency programs can help you within a few days. It may take a few weeks for the government to process grant applications for programs like ESG or HUD-administered assistance. The amount of money and applications that a nonprofit group gets can change how it works. The sooner you start your applications, the better chance you have of getting help before you move.
Some programs let you move between states, while others only let you move within a certain service area. Federal programs like FEMA help and grants from the USDA Rural Housing Service can help people move to another state. Nonprofits may not be able to help people outside of their service area. If you're moving a long way, ask each program directly if they cover moving across state lines.
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