The portability feature of the Housing Choice Voucher program allows participants to use their voucher to rent a unit outside the jurisdiction of the HA that issued the voucher, as long as certain conditions are met. To be eligible for portability, participants must have been in good standing and have lived in the issuing HA's jurisdiction for at least 12 months (unless they are an original applicant in a jurisdiction where they already reside).
To initiate portability, participants notify their issuing HA of their intent to move, and the issuing HA contacts the receiving HA in the desired location. The receiving HA will administer the voucher under its own payment standards and administrative plan.
Participants should be aware that the receiving jurisdiction's payment standards may differ from their home HA's, which can affect how much rent they can afford. Processing times for portability transfers vary, so participants should begin the process well in advance of their desired move date and confirm the receiving HA is accepting incoming portable vouchers.