HUD HCV Guidebook § 4.6

Allowing participants to live where they choose is a critical feature of the voucher program, including
HUD-VASH. However, under HUD-VASH, there are additional guidelines related to portability in order

8 HUD-VASH Operating Requirements, Section A, “Family Eligibility and Selection.”
9 HUD-VASH Operating Requirements, Section N, “HQS Initial Inspection.”
10 HUD-VASH Operating Requirements, Section D, “Initial Term of the HCV.”
11 HUD-VASH Operating Requirements, Section E, “Initial Lease Term.”
12 HUD-VASH Operating Requirements, Section F, “Ineligible Housing.”
13 HUD-VASH Operating Requirements, Section H, “Case Management Requirements.”

to ensure that participants can continue to receive case management.14 Specifically, if case
management is still required, families will be limited to moving to jurisdictions where VAMC or CBOC
case management services are available. The initial VA facility must be consulted prior to any move
to determine if portability is allowed.

The additional guidelines for portability associated with the HUD-VASH program are described below:

    •   Portability: With Case Management and Within Initial VAMC’s Catchment Area. A HUD-VASH
        family can move within the VAMC's catchment area as long as case management can still be
        provided, as determined by the VA. The VA must always be consulted prior to a move to
        ensure that case management will continue to be provided. If the receiving PHA does not
        have a HUD-VASH program, the receiving PHA must bill the initial PHA. If the receiving PHA
        does have a HUD-VASH program, they may absorb the family or bill the initial PHA.
    •   Portability: With Case Management and Outside Initial VAMC’s Catchment Area. A HUD-VASH
        family can move if the referring VAMC confirms that the new VAMC has an available case
        management slot. The receiving PHA must have a HUD-VASH program and the HUD-VASH
        family must be absorbed.
    •   Portability: Case Management is No Longer Required. If a HUD-VASH family wishes to move
        under portability and the veteran no longer requires case management, the family can move
        to a community where case management is not provided. The receiving PHA does not need to
        be a HUD-VASH PHA, and the receiving PHA may choose to bill the initial PHA or absorb the
        veteran with a regular voucher. If the receiving PHA choose to bill the initial PHA, they must
        enter and maintain “VASH” on line 2n of form HUD-50058.

Lastly, under the regular voucher program, PHAs may restrict portability if neither the head of
household nor the spouse or co-head of a family were legal residents in the jurisdiction of the initial
PHA when they applied to the voucher program. Under HUD-VASH, a family must be allowed to move
even if the family did not have legal residency in the jurisdiction of the initial PHA when they applied.