HUD HCV Guidebook § 2
Eligibility Requirements and Family Responsibilities (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
Generally, families who are participants in the HCV program are eligible to move under portability as long as such a move is not in violation of the lease, with some exceptions, and as long as the move complies with the PHA’s policies on family moves. Section 3 of this chapter describes the limitations on portability moves and the exceptions to such limitations. There are additional eligibility requirements for applicant families, which are described in more detail in this section. Applicant families are those that have been selected from the PHA’s waiting list but for whom a HAP contract has not yet been executed.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 2, the portability rules distinguish between two groups: current program participants and applicant families. Participants who are already in the program may generally move to another jurisdiction under portability, provided the move does not violate their lease and conforms to the relevant Public Housing Authority's policies. Applicant families — those selected from a waiting list but not yet under a Housing Assistance Payments contract — face additional eligibility requirements before portability is available to them.
Plain English — not legal advice.
HCV Guidebook § 2 establishes that a family's portability eligibility depends on whether they are an active participant or still an applicant awaiting a HAP contract. Property owners and managers working with voucher holders should be aware that a participant's right to move is conditioned on lease compliance and PHA policy, meaning a move that violates the lease could affect the family's portability status. Operators administering HAP contracts should familiarize themselves with the limitations outlined in Section 3 of this chapter, which governs when portability moves may be restricted.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HCV Guidebook § 2 outlines the general framework for who can use portability to move with a Housing Choice Voucher. If you are a current program participant, your ability to move under portability is generally protected as long as your move does not breach your lease and follows your PHA's policies; Section 3 of this chapter details specific limitations and exceptions that may apply. If you are an applicant family — meaning you have been selected from a waiting list but do not yet have a HAP contract — additional eligibility requirements apply, and contacting your local PHA or a tenant-rights organization can help clarify what steps are involved.
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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