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Voucher Portability
What is Portability?
Portability is the process that allows an eligible voucher applicant or participant to move anywhere in the United States where there is a housing agency operating the federal voucher program. AHFC is a Moving to Work (MTW) agency and has criteria that limit portability on select voucher programs. AHFC complies with federal regulations on special purpose voucher portability.
Portability Move In (Port In) is when an eligible family moves from another state into Alaska. It is recommended that families coordinate temporary accommodations upon arrival to Alaska.
- Housing Choice Voucher Applicants and Participants:
- Please read the Step and Classic program definitions.
- AHFC is absorbing vouchers as of 4/1/2016. Once a family with a work-able adult is absorbed by AHFC, they will be placed in the STEP program. Under Step, families are subject to a five-year term limit, subsidy is based on a fixed schedule and porting out (leaving with the AHFC voucher) is restricted.
- Special Purpose Voucher Applicants and Participants: Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV), Foster Youth to Independence (FYI), Non-Elderly Disabled (NED), Mainstream (MS), Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
- Families with special purpose vouchers must coordinate with their partner agency.
- AHFC is absorbing vouchers as of 4/1/2016.
- AHFC is billing VASH vouchers without a case management requirement from VAMC.
Port In Facts
If you wish to Port in to Alaska, you must first contact your current housing agency. Your current housing agency determines if you are eligible to move to Alaska.
Portability paperwork can be sent by mail, email, or fax (Confidential income information must be sent securely.)
Contact Information:
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Attn: Portability
PO Box 101020, Anchorage, AK 99510
Phone: 907-330-8431
Fax: 907-338-1683
Email: phd.portabilities@ahfc.us
- Once your portability paperwork is received by AHFC, you will need to sign documentation (for release of information, privacy act, citizenship declaration) and attend a briefing class.
- You must contact AHFC before your original voucher expiration date.
- AHFC does not have an FSS Escrow program; you must close your escrow-based FSS contract prior to porting to Alaska.
Shopping Information
- AHFC allows an initial shopping time of 120 days.
- AHFC has streamlined income calculations that eliminates deductions and expenses.
- Families are required to contribute 28.5 percent of their monthly gross income toward their rent or the AHFC minimum rent (whichever is greater).
- Families may contribute up to 50 percent of their monthly gross income toward their rent at lease up.
Portability Procedures for Families Porting to Alaska
Arrival: AHFC does not have temporary/emergency/transitional housing programs available. You must prepare to have housing accommodations for at least 30-60 days prior to being leased in a new unit. There are obstacles that must be addressed such as finding a unit that will be affordable, finding a unit which may not pass inspection the first time, transportation, etc.
Portability Packet: Once your paperwork is received, AHFC will initiate the collection of documents within two weeks. Please have photo ID, social security cards for all household members, and birth certificates readily available. You may also request that the sending Housing Authority send it ahead of time. If documentation is not provided, it will delay the voucher issuance.
Occupancy Standards: The bedroom size on your voucher will be changed to the occupancy standards approved in AHFCs Administrative Plan. AHFC uses the same occupancy standards recommended by Fair Housing guidance. This is two people per bedroom, without giving consideration for age and sex/gender.
OCCUPANCY STANDARDS
| Family Size | Bedrooms |
|---|---|
| 1-2 people | 1 |
| 3-4 people | 2 |
| 5-6 people | 3 |
| 7-8 people | 4 |
| 9-10 people | 5 |
Briefing: Once AHFC has collected all documents, the family will be briefed. The Voucher, Request for Tenancy Approval, and other relative documents will be issued when the family is briefed.
Early Occupancy: If you move into a unit prior to it passing inspection, AHFC will not be able to pay until the day it passes. You will be responsible for any rents owed to the owner.
Inspections: Inspections can take approximately 7 to 14 business days to be scheduled after you turn in the Request for Tenancy Approval packet.
Time Management: You should manage the move so that you have enough time to arrive at the receiving PHA before the initial PHA voucher expires; otherwise, you may lose your assistance.
Payment Standards
Payment standards differ depending on the city in Alaska you port into. For the full list click here: payment standards.
Port Out Process
Portability Move Out (Port Out) is when an eligible family moves from Alaska to another state.
If you wish to Port Out, you must contact your current Housing Specialist; they will need to have the request in writing.
Your Housing Specialist will determine if you are eligible to port according to AHFC MTW Portability Criteria.
- The head, spouse, or co-head must have established a domicile for 30 days prior to application in the area where they received their voucher OR must have received assistance in that area for 12 months.
- This requirement is waived on select special purpose vouchers such as Emergency Housing Voucher and Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing.
- Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH): AHFC must verify your current case management requirement with VAMC.
If eligible, your paperwork will be emailed, mailed or faxed to the new housing agency.
Once your paperwork is sent to the new agency, you must follow the Receiving Housing Authority’s policies and rules. You must contact the Receiving Housing Authority before your shopping voucher expires.