Chapter XVI: Portability


Section B: Incoming Portability (Absorbed)

The same steps for the iPHA will apply when a participant is being absorbed versus being administered (See Section A).

1. Incoming Portability Coordinator (PC) Procedures

The PC will perform the following for incoming portability applicants/participants that are absorbed:

  • PC will verify applicants meet income limits. Participants from another PHA are not subject to rPHA income limits.
  • Verify whether or not the portability participant is in good standing. Participants who maintain their program responsibiilties (pay off any debts or remain current with their repayment agreement) with the iPHA can exercise their portability rights. A participant who exercises portability rights and subsequently becomes past due or delinquent in their repayment obligations can be terminated for violation of their program responsibilities. All PHAs have the authority to terminate a participant who owes a debt to another PHA.
  • Verify whether or not the portability participant is on FSS with the iPHA and provide the FSS Resource Coordinator with the Incoming Portability Information checklist.
  • Verify the portability participant does not plan to move into the same jurisdiction from which they ported. This is critical when the participant ports from another Michigan PHA.
    1. If the participant plans to move within the iPHA boundaries and no conflict of interest or Director approval is identified, return the participant’s voucher to the iPHA.
  • Verify all adult members of an incoming portability participant’s household pass the criminal/sexual offense screenings criteria.
    1. If head of household fails, the PC denies the portability and notifies the participant and the iPHA.
    2. If another adult (not the head of household) fails the screening, the PC
      1. Denies the right of the failed member to move into the household,
      2. Notifies the participant of the denial, and
      3. Forwards this information to the HA with the paperwork received from the iPHA.
  • Verify copies of proof of birth and Social Security numbers for all household members of an incoming portability household are included in the portability packet from the iPHA.
  • Assign eligible incoming portability participants to a HA and forward the paperwork received from the iPHA. If iPHA is in Michigan, inform the HA of its jurisdictional boundaries.
  • The PC will tickler the portability packet until the PC receives a response from the HA that the participant needs to be set up in Elite.
    1. When the participant is set up in Elite, the PC will notify the HA that it is complete.
    2. PC enters information in Portability Move Out PIC Log.
  • PC notifies the iPHA that MSHDA intends to absorb the incoming portability participant:
    1. No later than 60 days following the voucher expiration date (set by the iPHA) and within 10 days of the date the HAP contract is signed, whichever occurs first.
    2. If the applicant/participant does not find suitable housing, the PC must notify the iPHA.
  • Check PIC to verify the iPHA processed an End of Participation/Port Move-Out.
    1. If an End of Participation was transmitted to PIC by the iPHA, the PC must correct the action type in Elite to New Admission.
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2. Absorbed Portability HA Procedures

The HA must not process incoming portability participants received directly from another PHA. All incoming portability participants must be processed through MSHDA’s Lansing office to identify their eligibility prior to receiving portability rights into MSHDA’s jurisdiction. The HA performs the following for incoming portability participants (MSHDA’s policy as the rPHA supercedes the iPHA’s policy):

  • Determine the voucher issuance size based on criteria contained in Chapter III, Selection and Issuance.
  • Issue a MSHDA voucher to the head of household, which reflects the same issuance and expiration date as the iPHA voucher.
    1. MSHDA cannot change the expiration date of the voucher without prior consent of the iPHA. If an extension is needed, notify the PC to request the extension from the iPHA. This must be requested prior to Voucher expiration.
    2. A chargeable error will be counted against the HA if the voucher issuance and expiration dates are changed without the PC’s approval.
  • Issue a Briefing Packet and Voucher to the incoming portability household either by U.S. mail or in person. The head-of-household must sign the cover page of the Briefing Packet and Voucher.
  • Verify the portability participant does not plan to move into the same jurisdiction from which they ported. This is critical when the participant ports from another Michigan PHA.
    1. If the participant plans to move within the iPHA boundaries and no conflict of interest or Director approval is identified, notify the PC and deny the portability until further notice from the PC.
  • When the HA has a HAP Contract effective date, the HA will notify the PC to set the participant up in Elite.
    • For all HA’s:
      1. Once the participant is set up in Elite, the HA will enter all income, assets, expenses, HQS inspection dates and participant information in Elite and forward it to the PC by the date given in the portability case cover memo.
      2. Failure to do so will result in a countable error.
      3. PC will send paperwork to iPHA.
  • If the incoming portability participant/applicant does not find suitable housing by the expiration of their voucher, the HA must complete a MSHDA 1634 and send to participant/applicant with a copy to the PC.
  • The denied applicant/participant's file must be retained for three years.
  • Incoming portability participants from another PHA are not subject to MSHDA's income limits. Incoming portability applicants from another PHA are subject to MSHDA's income limits.
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