Housing Voucher Programs - Policy and Procedures Manual

Chapter XVI Sections

1. Incoming Portability (Administering)
2. Incoming Portability (Absorbed)
3. Outgoing Portability
4. Portability of VASH Program Vouchers
5. Portability Under Violence Against Women Act
6. Billing and Reimbursement Requirements for the Receiving PHA
7. File Procedures
8. Definitions
9. Applicable Forms List

Chapter XVI: Portability

Section H: Definitions

Absorb(ing) – The receiving PHA issues its own voucher increment to an incoming portability participant.

Administer(ing) – The receiving PHA retains the initial PHA’s voucher subsidy and bills the initial PHA for related expenses. The receiving PHA may choose to absorb an administered voucher at any time.

Applicant – A portability participant who was pulled from an initial PHA’s waiting list.

Good Standing – Describes a current Program participant who:

1. Holds an active voucher;
2. Complies with all HCV rules and regulations;
3. Has no outstanding debts;
4. Does not owe any delinquent debts to MSHDA or any other PHA;
5. Properly terminated the previous lease. (Note: If the participant moved out of an assisted unit in violation of the lease, the PHA must not issue a new voucher to the participant.)

Incoming Portability(ies) – The portability participant moves to MSHDA’s jurisdiction from the jurisdiction of another (initial) PHA.

HA (Initial PHA) – The PHA who originally issued the participants’ HCV; or, a PHA who absorbed an incoming portability participant who subsequently relocates to another PHA’s jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction – The geographic boundaries within which a PHA is authorized to function. A PHA’s jurisdiction is defined in its Administrative Plan. MSHDA’s jurisdiction is the entire State of Michigan.

Outgoing Portability(ies) – The portability participant moves from MSHDA’s jurisdiction to the jurisdiction of another (receiving) PHA.

Portability Coordinator (PC) – The assigned MSHDA staff person who handles correspondence and the administration of vouchers between MSHDA and initial or receiving PHA’s regarding portability matters.

Participant – A portability participant who currently receives HCV assistance from an initial PHA.

Portability Packet – Compilation of HUD-required documents/information provided by an initial PHA to a receiving PHA for a participant porting between two PHA’s.

Public Housing Agency (PHA) Portability(ies) – The exchange of a participant’s subsidy from one PHA to another PHA.

rPHA (Receiving PHA) – The PHA that accepts an applicant/participant from another PHA. The initial PHA has the authority to select the receiving PHA when there is more than one PHA administering a voucher program within the jurisdiction where the family wishes to move.