How does porting work?
Porting in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program allows a voucher holder to move from one jurisdiction to another while still receiving rental assistance. Here’s how the process typically works:
- Initial Consultation: The voucher holder notifies their current Public Housing Agency (PHA) of their desire to move to another area. This is known as the "initial PHA."
- Eligibility Check: The initial PHA checks if the voucher holder is eligible to move. This usually means the tenant must be in good standing with the program (e.g., no recent lease violations, no overdue rent).
- Transfer of Information: The initial PHA sends the necessary paperwork (e.g., income verification, family composition, and voucher details) to the receiving PHA in the new jurisdiction, which is known as the "receiving PHA."
- Receiving PHA Processes: The receiving PHA processes the incoming voucher. This may include conducting a briefing with the voucher holder to explain the new area’s rules, payment standards, and available housing options.
- Issuance of Voucher: The receiving PHA issues a voucher to the participant, allowing them to search for a rental unit in the new area. The terms of the voucher (like payment standards) will be according to the receiving PHA’s policies.
- Housing Search and Lease-Up: The voucher holder finds a unit that meets the program requirements, and the receiving PHA must inspect and approve it before the lease is signed.
- Ongoing Administration: The receiving PHA usually takes over the administration of the voucher, including making housing assistance payments to the landlord and conducting annual recertifications.
- Billing or Absorbing: The receiving PHA can choose to either bill the initial PHA for the cost of the voucher or absorb the family into their program, making the family a participant of the receiving PHA.
The key to successful porting is clear communication between the initial and receiving PHAs and adherence to the respective policies of both jurisdictions. The process can vary slightly depending on the specific policies of the PHAs involved.
How to Port the Preferential HCV Voucher?
If an individual knows they want to port out before they apply, the forms should be completed and submitted along with the initial application to HCV via Yardi (Yardi training). It is also acceptable to request to port after being approved for the voucher, which will also occur via Yardi. This should be submitted by the DBHDD provider and not by the individual to ensure the request is approved under the allowance afforded to DBHDD.
If individuals are seeking to port out from the DCA jurisdiction before a 12-month period, they must make a Reasonable Accommodation request.
See HCV documentation Guidance for more information
If the individual has a voucher through a public housing authority other than DCA and wishes to port, please reach out to that PHA for their particular process.