Portability

 

Portability is an option that eligible Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) holders may utilize in order to move throughout the United States. To assist with Portability transitions, the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) will cooperate with other Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) throughout the portability process. 

 

PORTING OUT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY

If you are currently a voucher holder with the LACDA and would like to move to another jurisdiction, please contact your assigned Case Manager to determine if you are eligible to “port out.”  Your Case Manager will review your file and explain all of your tenant related requirements as it relates to porting out.

Once found eligible, the request to transfer your voucher to another PHA must be submitted to the LACDA in writing using the Request to Transfer form or your own letter which should include your name, current address, a current phone number, an e-mail address, and the PHA you wish to transfer to.  Please be sure to research where you want to move, this will help ensure that you obtain the correct information regarding the PHA that is responsible for that jurisdiction.

NOTE: You will also be required to provide your current landlord with a Notice to Vacate your unit.  The LACDA will not process your port out request until we receive a copy of this notice.  The LACDA recommends giving your landlord a minimum of 60-days notice of vacating the current unit.

Submit your request online or to obtain porting out information:

E-mail: portability@lacda.org

Mail:
Los Angeles County Development Authority
Attention: Portability Department
P.O. Box 1503
Alhambra, CA 91802


PORTING IN - GENERAL INFORMATION

The LACDA is currently absorbing all vouchers for families porting into Los Angeles County.

The LACDA does not provide security deposit assistance. Tenants are responsible for paying security deposits.
The LACDA does not advise nor suggest that you move in to the unit before the paperwork is fully processed.  You must be determined eligible for the unit, the unit must pass a Housing Quality Standards inspection, and the rent must be determined to be reasonable prior to you moving in.
The HCV Program is an income-based program and the amount of your housing assistance depends upon your income.  Once your paperwork is received and processed, you will receive a "Subsidy Estimation" form that will assist you with selecting an affordable unit.

After the unit has passed inspection and the contract has been drafted, you will be mailed a "New Contract Rent Responsibility" letter from the LACDA.  The family's portion of the rent will be included in this letter.

For Incoming Portability, the time stated on your voucher will be the same time issued by your initial housing authority.  Meaning, that the LACDA voucher will expire on the same date as indicated on the voucher from your initial housing authority. 

For Outgoing Portability, voucher extensions must be submitted in writing and will only be approved under extenuating circumstances.

The LACDA's occupancy standards are based on two persons per bedroom, regardless of age or sex.
The LACDA will NOT add members to your household during your portability process.  Only the members listed on the Family Report Form HUD-50058 provided by your initial housing authority will be processed during the LACDA portability process.

PORTING IN - PROCESS

Please allow approximately 10-15 calendar days for us to receive all required documents and follow up with your initial housing authority.  Upon receipt of your paperwork, your initial housing authority will receive an LACDA letter of acknowledgement.

Paperwork is processed in the order in which it is received.  If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Portability Department at portability@lacda.org.

-  Family Portability Information - Form HUD-52665
-  Voucher - Form HUD-52646 (issue date must not be a future date)
-  Family Report - Form HUD-50058 (Copy of the most recent)
-  Copies of income verification listed on Family Report such as: 
         Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) Report (if available), and 
         Supporting Income Verifications matching the Family Report
-  Family contact information, including a valid contact phone number and mailing address

The documents listed above may be sent sealed or secured to the LACDA via mail or email at the following: 

Porting In Contact: 
Portability Department 
E-mail: portability@lacda.org  
Phone: (626) 586-1660

Once the LACDA receives the appropriate documents from the initial housing authority, our staff will contact the voucher holder by phone to schedule a briefing - entrance interview.

All adult household members, age 18 or older, must attend. The LACDA voucher, Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) and processing documents will be issued during the intake/briefing appointment. This process lasts approximately 2 1/2 hours.  You will be required to remain in the briefing for its entirety.  All required attendees MUST be on time for the briefing.  

The following documents are required to port to Los Angeles County.  

- Current valid photo identification  

- Birth certificates for all household members 18 years of age and older    

- INS documents for non-citizens    

- Social Security cards for all household members    

- Proof of household income and/or assets    

- Proof of full-time student status for everyone 17 years of age and older    

Photocopies of the first four items listed above will be acceptable; however, you may be required to present originals if there are questions about the authenticity of the documents.

The LACDA will conduct criminal background checks on all portability family members age 18 and older in accordance with the LACDA policy. In addition, household members 13 years of age and older will be screened for lifetime sex offender registration requirement. 

Prior to searching for a home, voucher holders should review the LACDA's payment standards. The LACDA’s occupancy standard is based on two persons per bedroom, regardless of age or sex. Knowing the payment and occupancy standard will help guide your selection process.     

The LACDA works in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Housing Resource Center to provide a FREE rental listing service to voucher holders. At this time, the LACDA does not assist with security deposits. Click here to search for available rental properties.

Before visiting or contacting the LACDA, please allow the Portability Department to contact you via phone or mail.    

Please keep in mind that you will be required to comply with the LACDA's policies and procedures.  The LACDA’s policies will be reviewed in depth during your intake/briefing appointment.