Portability

Portability Overview - Durham Housing Authority

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) encourages families receiving federal housing assistance to explore a wide range of housing options. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program allows eligible families to move anywhere in the U.S. where a voucher program is administered. This flexibility is known as portability.

Moving to areas with more opportunities-such as neighborhoods with stronger schools, job access, and safer environments-can lead to better outcomes, especially for children.

Porting IN to Durham County

• Step 1: Notify Your Current Housing Authority
  Inform your current housing authority that you wish to port your voucher to Durham County. If approved, they must send your portability paperwork directly to Durham Housing Authority (DHA) portability email account HCV-Portability@dha-nc.org.
  
  
• Step 2: Confirm Receipt with DHA
  It is your responsibility to contact DHA's Portability Coordinator at (919) 683-1551 x 7213 or visit our office at 423 Morris Street, Durham, NC 27701, to confirm that your paperwork has been received.
  
  
• Step 3: File Review & Follow-Up
  Once paperwork is received, it will be reviewed within 3-5 business days. Additional documentation may be requested.
  
  
• Step 4: Attend a Briefing
  If your paperwork is complete, you will be invited to attend a required briefing (group session by appointment). This is typically scheduled within 10-14 business days of completing all documentation
  
  
• Step 5: Find a Unit
  Begin your housing search. Provide your new landlord with the moving packet and submit the completed packet to DHA via email at HCVP-Inspections@dha-nc.org or in person.
  
  
• Step 6: Inspection & Lease Approval
  DHA will schedule a unit inspection within 7-10 business days. If the unit passes, DHA will finalize the rent and issue the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract to the landlord.
  
  Note: Voucher size is based on DHA's Administrative Plan: 2 persons per bedroom, regardless of sex or age.

Porting OUT of Durham County

• Step 1: Submit a Port Out Request
  Submit a written request (mail, email, or fax) to your DHA Specialist. Include a copy of the notice to vacate you provided to your landlord.
  
  
• Step 2: Port Out Approval
  If your move is approved, your Specialist will prepare a new voucher for signature and forward your request to the DHA Portability Coordinator within 5-10 business days.
  
  
• Step 3: New Housing Authority Coordination
  The Portability Coordinator will send your paperwork to the receiving housing authority within another 5-10 business days. The receiving agency will guide you through their local procedures.

Contact Information

Durham Housing Authority - 423 Morris Street, Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 683-1551 x7213
Email: HCV-Portability@dha-nc.org