This notice is designed to advise Section 8 Participants of the possible advantages of moving from a high poverty area to another location through a system called Portability. Portability allows the participant to transfer to a more desirable location or jurisdiction. Some of the reasons to use Portability are:

• A desire to locate the family in a safer neighborhood.
• To enroll children in schools that have higher achievement rates.
• To enable participants to find job training and employment.
• To enable participants to further their own education.
• To insure a wider range of housing choices.

A participating family must live in the jurisdiction of the issuing Housing Authority for at least one year prior to being eligible for Portability. After that year, if a family desires to exercise their right to transfer to another jurisdiction they may do so if they are in good standing with the issuing Housing Authority and the area that they wish to transfer to has a voucher program available. Their Assisted Housing Specialist will determine if this is so.

A Section 8 Participant may transfer into the jurisdiction of a Housing Authority anywhere in the United States that is administering a tenant-based program.

The receiving Housing Authority will determine the Fair Market Rent or Payment Standard for that particular area and different occupancy standards may change the bedroom size of a family’s voucher.

If a family desires to move to another area they should contact their Assisted Housing Specialist to discuss the procedures and steps involved.

All portability packets should be mailed or delivered to:

Lakewood Housing Authority
480 South Allison Parkway
Lakewood, Colorado 80226-3127
(303) 987-7599