HUD HCV Guidebook § 7
Portability Billing (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
If the receiving PHA has absorbed the family, the family is no longer considered a ported family. The initial PHA
is no longer involved with the family’s subsidy. There is no billing and no communication on other details of
the family’s occupancy between the initial and receiving PHAs. If the receiving PHA decides to administer the
subsidy for the initial PHA, both PHAs will have certain responsibilities to the ported family. These
responsibilities and associated deadlines are described in greater detail in this section.
In many cases billing difficulties result from miscommunication between agencies. HUD encourages PHAs to
work cooperatively to resolve billing difficulties, so that any potential hardship on participants or unnecessary
administrative burden is avoided.
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24 CFR § 982.355(c)(17)
Moves and Portability 22Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 7, when a voucher holder moves to a new jurisdiction through portability, one of two administrative paths applies: the receiving Public Housing Authority (PHA) either absorbs the family entirely—ending the original PHA's involvement—or agrees to administer the subsidy on behalf of the original PHA, in which case both agencies share defined responsibilities and deadlines. When billing between PHAs is required, HUD's guidance under 24 CFR § 982.355(c)(17) encourages cooperative communication to prevent administrative errors from creating hardship for participants. The provision establishes that clear inter-agency coordination is central to protecting the continuity of housing assistance during a port.
Plain English — not legal advice.
As a housing provider participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program, understanding HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 7 helps clarify why billing or subsidy administration may involve more than one PHA when a voucher holder has ported from another jurisdiction. Compliant operators typically confirm which PHA is currently administering the subsidy—whether the initial or receiving agency—before directing payment inquiries or lease-related communications. Keeping records of which PHA issued the voucher and which is managing the current tenancy helps avoid confusion when billing disputes arise between agencies.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 7, grounded in 24 CFR § 982.355(c)(17), establishes that when you use portability to move to a new area, your subsidy is either fully taken over by the receiving PHA or jointly administered between the two PHAs under specific rules and deadlines. If you experience delays or disruptions in your housing assistance after a port, you have the right to seek clarification from both the initial and receiving PHAs about which agency is responsible for your subsidy. Tenant-rights organizations and HUD's own resources can help you understand the responsibilities each PHA holds toward you under this provision.
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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