What Is Portability?

Portability is the ability of a family to move from a PHA’S (Public Housing Authority’s) jurisdiction to a location in another housing authority’s jurisdiction.

Who is eligible for portability?
Any voucher holder that is in good standing with the housing authority and are not subject to any restrictions.

Are there any restrictions on eligibility?
Yes. You must live within the jurisdiction of the housing authority in which you applied for rental assistance in order to automatically qualify for eligibility. Otherwise, you are required to live in the jurisdiction of the Housing Authority issuing your Section 8 Voucher for the first 12 months of that assistance.

Example: You live in the City of Madison when you applied for assistance, you received a Voucher from the County Housing Authority; you must initially use the Voucher in the county’s jurisdiction. You may transfer your Section 8 Voucher after you have lived in the county’s jurisdiction for 12 months.

Where can I transfer my Section 8 Voucher?
A family residing in the county’s (initial housing authority) jurisdiction at the time of application may receive assistance to lease a unit outside of the county’s (initial housing authority) jurisdiction in the jurisdiction of a housing authority anywhere in the United States that is administering a tenant-based (Section 8 Voucher) program.

However, if you choose to move to an area where there is no housing agency to administer your Section 8 Voucher the housing authority can deny you portability to that area.

What you should do if you choose to move under the portability provision:
You must notify your Housing Authority (initial housing authority) of your desire to move under portability and of where you want to move.

The Housing Authority will counsel the family on the proper procedures for terminating the current lease and any other necessary requirements such as paying any monies owed the Housing Authority.

The Housing Authority (DCHA) will find out whether or not there is a housing authority operating a Section 8 program in the area the family wants to move.

If there is a housing authority operating in the area the family wants to move, DCHA will contact that housing authority to determine whether or not it will issue their own Voucher or administer on behalf of DCHA.

DCHA will send necessary documents to the receiving housing authority and notify the client of whom they should contact at the receiving housing authority.

Will the programs work the same if I transfer under the portability provision?
Yes and no. All the programs are governed according to the Federal Regulations, therefore, there are many similiarities. However, housing authorities do have areas in which they can create their own rules and Voucher Payment Standards (PS) vary from one housing authority to another. Some areas are higher than Dane County and some are lower. You will have to locate housing that fits within the guidelines of the particular area you have chosen to live in.

You must meet the income guidelines for the area in which you want to transfer your Section 8 Voucher.

What are the advantages of moving under the portability provision?
The most obvious advantage is to give you more options without you sacrificing your rental assistance.

If you live in a high poverty area, portability enables you to get away from those areas. Better living conditions usually means lower crime rates, better public services, better schools, and better shopping areas.