Carroll County Housing and Community Development
Housing Choice Voucher Portability
How to Transfer Your Voucher
“Portability” in the Housing Choice Voucher Program refers to the process through which your family can transfer or “port” your housing rental subsidy when you move to a different area outside of Carroll County Housing’s jurisdiction. Your voucher is valid anywhere in the U.S. or U.S. territories that has a Public Housing Authority with a Housing Choice Voucher Program. Follow the tips below to make your move into or out of Carroll County easier.
How to Port Out or Transfer to a New Housing Authority
If you are just coming off the waitlist and have lived in Carroll County, you may port right away. If you do not live in Carroll County, you must lease up in Carroll County Housing’s jurisdiction for one year before porting.
If you want to port out, ask your Housing Specialist for a Request to Transfer form.
Keep in mind that factors affecting how much rent you pay vary between Housing Authorities, including payment standards, income limits, and how bedroom size is determined.
Contact new Housing Authorities to get this information to help with your decision-making.
For current participants in the program:
In order to port out, your rent portion and utilities must be up to date.
You may be required to go through a recertification process if too much time has passed since your last annual meeting.
Your Housing Specialist will contact the receiving Housing Authority for additional information.
You must continue to comply with your lease in Carroll County and give your landlord 30 days’ notice (or whatever your lease requires) before moving.
How to Port In or Transfer to Carroll County Housing from Another Housing Authority
Notify your current Housing Authority that you want to port to Carroll County.
Your caseworker will verify that you have complied with your lease and that you are eligible to port.
Your current Housing Authority will begin processing the required paperwork.
Once approved, you must attend an eligibility meeting and voucher briefing at Carroll County Housing.
At the briefing, you will receive a Request for Tenancy Approval, which must be completed by the landlord of the unit you choose in Carroll County.
After the Request for Tenancy Approval is submitted, an inspection will be scheduled to ensure the unit meets HUD Housing Quality Standards. The inspector will also determine if the rent is reasonable by comparing it to similar units in the area that do not receive housing assistance.
The rental subsidy cannot begin until the unit passes inspection.
Key Things to Remember About Moving to a New Housing Authority
Being able to move and choose where you live is one of the advantages of the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Any money owed to a Housing Authority must be paid in full before you can use portability.
Your rent portion may be different in another Housing Authority.
Housing Choice Vouchers have an expiration date. You must submit a Request for Tenancy Approval completed by a landlord before your voucher expires.
Fraud or misrepresentation may result in penalties such as termination of assistance, repayment agreements, program ineligibility, or criminal prosecution.
Nearby Housing Authorities with Housing Choice Voucher Programs
Baltimore County Office of Housing
6401 York Road, First Floor
Baltimore, MD 21212
410-887-2766
Housing Authority of the City of Frederick
209 Madison Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301-662-8173
City of Westminster Housing Office
56 W. Main St., Suite 1
Westminster, MD 21157
410-848-2261
Housing Authority of Washington County
319 East Antietam Street, 2nd Floor
Hagerstown, MD 21740
301-791-3168
Frederick County Department of Housing
401 Sagner Avenue
Frederick, MD 21701
301-600-1061
Howard County Housing and Community Development
9820 Patuxent Woods Drive, Suite 224
Columbia, MD 21046
410-313-6318
Hagerstown Housing Authority
45 W. Baltimore St.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
301-733-6911
York Housing Authority
31 South Broad Street
York, PA 17403
717-845-2601
Carroll County Housing and Community Development
10 Distillery Drive, Suite 101
Westminster, MD 21157
410-386-3600