Housing Voucher Programs - Policy and Procedures Manual

Chapter X Sections

1. Required Moves
2. Moves With Continued Assistance
3. HA Responsibilities in a Move
4. Denial of Move Request
5. Tenant Locates Unit
6. Moves Resulting in an End of Participation
7. Unauthorized Moves
8. Reinstate
9. Subsidy Overlaps
10. Elite Procedures
11. Execute Documents
12. Chart of Required Paperwork for Moves
13. Submit File Material
14. Tickler Systems
15. Definitions
16. Applicable Forms List

Chapter X: Moves

Effective: February 2007

Introduction

A family must notify their MSHDA Housing Agent (HA) of their pending move to a different unit and give the owner of the current unit proper notice in accordance with the lease or receive written permission from the current owner for early termination. Notification of a pending move may be made verbally or in writing by a tenant to the HA.

If a family is moving out-of-state, the move is considered a “port.” Refer to Chapter XVI, Portability.

If the family is moving out of the current county within the state, the move is considered a “transfer.” Refer to Chapter XV, Transfers.

MSHDA limits the family to one move in any 12-month period. Every move, even a move within a complex, requires a new Lease and HAP Contract. If the family fails to find an acceptable unit, the assistance in the current unit may continue (assuming the unit stays in compliance with program requirements and the owner agrees).

This Chapter outlines: 1) when moves are required or allowed; 2) tenant obligations requiring fulfillment prior to completion of the move by the HA; and 3) reasons for the denial of move requests.

Section A: Required Moves

The family is required to move if:

• MSHDA determines the unit is overcrowded. Refer to Chapter III, Issuance; or
• The HAP contract terminates because the owner fails to comply with HQS or other requirements of the HAP contract (Refer to Section 3 of the HQS manual); or
• The owner terminates the lease for cause (i.e., eviction) during the initial lease term; or
• The owner terminates the lease with or without cause at the end of the initial lease term or definite successive term.