HUD HCV Guidebook § 5.6
Extending the Term of the Voucher (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
The receiving PHA may subsequently extend its own voucher’s term. Any extensions of search time provided by the receiving PHA are only valid for the family’s search in the receiving PHA’s jurisdiction. The receiving PHA must69 notify the initial PHA of any extensions of the voucher term. The receiving PHA may also request that the initial PHA extend the term of the initial voucher, however, the initial PHA is under no obligation to do so. 67 24 § CFR 982.554 and 982.555; PIH Notice 2016-09(10)(f) 68 24 § CFR 982.355(c)(15); PIH Notice 2016-09(5) 69 24 § CFR 982.355(c)(14) Moves and Portability 17 When extending the voucher, receiving PHAs need to consider the billing deadline. The receiving PHA must70 ensure that any voucher expiration date leaves sufficient time to process a Request for Tenancy Approval, execute the HAP contract, and cover the anticipated delivery time (if the PHA is not submitting the billing information by fax or email) of the initial billing. If the initial billing is not received by the initial PHA by the deadline date, the receiving PHA will generally have to absorb the voucher unless the initial PHA accepts the late billing.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 5.6, when a voucher holder is searching for housing in a different public housing authority's (PHA's) jurisdiction through the portability process, the receiving PHA has the authority to extend its own voucher's search term — but that extension only applies within its own jurisdiction. The receiving PHA is required to notify the initial (issuing) PHA of any such extensions, and may ask the initial PHA to extend the original voucher term as well, though the initial PHA is not obligated to agree. Additionally, the receiving PHA must set expiration dates carefully to allow enough time to process tenancy approvals, execute the housing assistance payment (HAP) contract, and submit the initial billing on time — because a missed billing deadline can result in the receiving PHA having to absorb the cost of the voucher.
Plain English — not legal advice.
As a property owner working with a voucher holder who has ported into a receiving PHA's jurisdiction under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 5.6, it is useful to understand that the timeline for processing a Request for Tenancy Approval and executing the HAP contract is directly tied to the voucher's expiration date. Compliant receiving PHAs generally build in sufficient lead time when setting or extending voucher terms to ensure billing deadlines are met before the initial PHA's cutoff. Landlords participating in the program typically coordinate promptly with the receiving PHA on required documentation to avoid delays that could jeopardize the HAP contract execution.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
If you are using a Housing Choice Voucher to search for housing outside your original PHA's jurisdiction, HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 5.6 governs how extensions to your search time work during that portability process. The receiving PHA can extend its own voucher term for your search in its area and must notify your initial PHA of any such extension; it may also request that your initial PHA extend the original voucher, though your initial PHA is not required to grant that request. If you have questions about whether your voucher term has been extended or whether a billing deadline may affect your housing search, reaching out to both the receiving and initial PHAs directly — or contacting a local tenant-rights organization familiar with HUD voucher portability — are general paths available to you.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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