If you have a tenant-based housing choice voucher, you may be able to take the voucher with you when they move, and use it to help pay the rent on your next home or apartment.
You can find more information about the process and requirements below.
What is the process for moving?
Give your landlord the legally required written notice that you are planning to move out. THA has an “Intent to Move” form that you can use for this purpose. Once you have given written notice, contact THA for a relocation appointment.
Where can I move? Do I have to live in Tacoma?
THA’s boundaries include all of the City of Tacoma and a 2.5 mile radius in Pierce County outside the City limits. Section 8 clients are required to lease a unit within this boundary, unless a reasonable accommodation has been granted, a port-out has been approved, or another housing authority is absorbing the client.
Why can’t I move farther away?
If you want to move more than 2.5 miles outside the City of Tacoma limits, you would need to meet at least one of our Port criteria:
- An adult household member has gotten a job that is at least 20 hours per week and is located at least 35 miles outside the City of Tacoma limits.
- An adult household member is enrolled at least part time at a college/university that is at least 35 miles outside the City of Tacoma limits.
- A household member has an approved Reasonable Accommodation due to a disability.
- A household member is a victim of domestic violence and has a situation that is approved through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
- The household ported in from another housing authority and THA has not absorbed the voucher.
- The housing authority in the area where the household wants to port to will absorb the voucher.
Meeting one of these criteria does not guarantee you the ability to move outside the city of Tacoma. THA will address these requests on a case-by-case basis. Additional restrictions also apply to porting, contact your Housing Specialist for further direction.
How many bedrooms do I qualify for?
THA’s occupancy standards are one bedroom for every two people in the household, unless program policy states otherwise.
Porting to a New Housing Authority
Portability is the process of taking your voucher to another housing authority’s jurisdiction for use in that area. This allows program participants to utilize their housing assistance anywhere in the United States. There are two housing authorities involved in the port process.
- Initial Housing Authority: The housing authority that issued your voucher for the first time. When you submit a request to port, you are asking to leave the jurisdiction of the initial housing authority.
- Receiving Housing Authority: The housing authority that administers vouchers in the jurisdiction where you are requesting to move. When you submit a request to port, you are asking to use your voucher in the jurisdiction of the receiving housing authority, and the receiving housing authority will administer your voucher assistance.
If your request to port is approved, your voucher will either be absorbed or remain in billing status. Here is what this means:
- Absorbing: The receiving housing authority accepts you into their program. Your voucher will be issued by the receiving housing authority and they will have full control over your housing assistance.
- Billing: The receiving housing authority takes you into their program as a resident and administers your voucher, but they will bill your previous housing authority for its share of your monthly rent. In this situation, the initial housing authority retains some control over your housing assistance.
Porting Into Our Jurisdiction
You must contact your initial housing authority and tell them that you would like to port to THA. Your housing authority will determine if you are eligible to port and then forward the required documents to THA.
Once THA receives the required documents a housing specialist will reach out to you within 10 business days and will send out a packet to be completed and returned to THA with any requested documents.
Is THA absorbing or billing incoming Portability Vouchers?
We are currently absorbing for incoming ports. This is subject to change at any time.
How can my housing authority send my port packet to Tacoma?
Please ask your initial housing authority to send your port packet to:
- Email (preferred):
- Fax: 253-207-4454
- Address:
Tacoma Housing Authority
Attn: Portability
902 S L St
Tacoma WA 98405
Does THA provide deposit assistance?
No. THA only assists with rent.
Can I move into the unit before the paperwork has been processed?
Yes, but THA strongly advises against this in case the chosen unit doesn’t pass inspection or meet rent reasonable. If either of these things occur, THA will not be able to pay assistance on your behalf for that unit.
Will my subsidy be the same? (How much will THA pay towards my rent?)
Payment standards and occupancy standards vary between Housing Authorities. THA will not be able to tell you its portion towards rent until your voucher is issued.
Will my tenant rent portion change?
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is an income-based program. This means the amount of your housing assistance depends on your income.
Once your income is verified, you will receive a Subsidy Estimation, or “shopping guide,” that will assist you in selecting an affordable unit.
How many bedrooms do I qualify for?
Our current occupancy standard is two people per bedroom, regardless of age, gender or relationship.
If you are a person with a disability who may need a special accommodation in order to fully participate in THA’s program you may request a reasonable accommodation.
When will I know how much I will pay?
After the selected unit passes inspection and the tenant is in possession of the unit a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract will be drafted. You will receive a Rent Change Letter stating your portion of the rent and THA’s subsidy amount.
Can my voucher be extended?
You will need to contact your initial housing authority to request any extensions.
How long does it take for portability paperwork to be processed?
Please allow approximately 10 business days for your paperwork to be processed.
Can I rent above my voucher size?
Yes. THA does not have a cap on the bedroom size.
Porting Out of THA’s Jurisdiction
Where can I port my voucher?
You can take your voucher to any other housing authority in the country that administers a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
How do I find which housing authorities have an HCV program?
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) keeps a list of Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) nationwide. You can contact individual PHAs and inquire about the services they provide using the information available through this list.
How do I know if a receiving housing authority is absorbing vouchers?
Many housing authorities list whether they are billing or absorbing on their website. If this information is not listed, you can contact them by phone to ask this question. Please use the link above to find this information.
How long does it take to port my voucher to the housing authority of choice?
Please allow THA 10 business days to process your port request. Once you are approved to port, we will send your packet to the receiving housing authority. From there, you need to contact the receiving housing authority regarding their intake process and for questions related to your voucher issuance. Keep in mind that processing time can vary between housing authorities.
Will my subsidy be the same?
Payment standards and occupancy standards vary between housing authorities.
What should I do if THA denies my request to port?
If THA denies your request to port, you have the right to request an informal review. This means that a second person at THA will review your request to ensure the correct decision has been made. Information on requesting an informal review can be found on your denial letter.