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Housing Choice Voucher Portability
Moving to Dedham With a Housing Choice Voucher
Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) portability allows eligible families to move to another community and continue receiving rental assistance through the voucher program, subject to program requirements.
The portability process depends on where your voucher was originally issued. Massachusetts has statewide jurisdiction for tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers, which means a voucher issued by a Massachusetts housing authority can be used anywhere in the Commonwealth under that same housing authority.
The Dedham Housing Authority (DHA) accepts incoming portability requests from housing authorities outside Massachusetts. DHA administers these incoming cases on behalf of the initial housing authority and bills that agency for the assistance provided.
Can You Port Your Voucher to Dedham?
If Your Voucher Was Issued Outside Massachusetts
If you receive a tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher from a housing authority outside Massachusetts and wish to move to Dedham, you may be eligible to request portability to DHA.
Your initial housing authority must initiate the portability process and send the required documentation to DHA. Acceptance is subject to applicable program requirements and DHA's review of your portability paperwork.
If Your Voucher Was Issued by a Massachusetts Housing Authority
Massachusetts housing authorities have statewide jurisdiction for tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers. Families with vouchers issued by a Massachusetts PHA may lease eligible housing anywhere in the Commonwealth under their existing housing authority.
DHA does not accept incoming portability transfers from other Massachusetts housing authorities. Your issuing housing authority continues to administer your voucher, even if you move to Dedham.
Important Information About Project-Based Vouchers
Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs) are tied to a specific assisted housing property. Unlike tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers, PBV assistance does not move with a family to another property or community.
Residents receiving project-based assistance at Mill Village should not request portability to transfer that project-based subsidy to another community.
After one year of PBV assistance, a family may request tenant-based assistance under applicable program requirements pursuant to 24 CFR § 983.261. A request does not guarantee that tenant-based assistance will be immediately available or approved.
Housing Choice Voucher Portability: How to Get Started
Current DHA Voucher Participants Moving Out of Massachusetts
Current DHA Housing Choice Voucher participants who wish to move to another state should contact DHA by email to request portability.
How to get started:
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Email DHA to request a portability transfer: andrew@dedhamhousing.org
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Include the state and specific community where you are looking to move.
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DHA will provide the information and instructions needed to begin the portability process.
No specific forms are required to submit the initial request.
Incoming Housing Choice Voucher Participants from Outside Massachusetts
DHA may accept incoming portability requests from housing authorities outside Massachusetts only when both of the following conditions are met:
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The participant is seeking housing in a Massachusetts community where DHA administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
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The participant's current housing authority agrees to establish a billing arrangement with DHA. DHA does not absorb incoming portability requests at this time.
How to get started:
If both conditions are met, the participant's current housing authority must submit the completed portability packet directly to:
Housing Choice Voucher Participants Transferring from Another Massachusetts Housing Authority
INCOMING PORTABILITY NOT ACCEPTED
Dedham Housing Authority does not accept incoming portability transfers from other Massachusetts Public Housing Agencies (PHAs).
Participants currently receiving assistance through another Massachusetts housing authority should contact their administering agency for assistance with portability options.
Note: Portability is subject to program requirements, receiving agency policies, and applicable billing arrangements. Contact your current housing authority for guidance before making plans to relocate.