The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, a voluntary program for both landlords and tenants, is a Federally Funded effort designed to assist eligible, very low-income families with their monthly rental housing payments.
A family whose income is 80% or less of the area's median income, obtains certification to participate in the program from the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, then selects a rental unit with a property owner who is interested in participating with the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. The property owner is responsible for screening the prospective tenant to determine if the family will be a suitable renter. After a family finds suitable housing and the owner has screened and approved the family, the Housing Authority will schedule an inspection to determine if the unit meets Housing Quality Standards. The Housing Authority will know the property owner has approved the family when a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) has been submitted. If the unit is in compliance and the Housing Authority approves tenancy, the family and property owner must negotiate and execute a lease. The Housing Authority and the property owner must execute a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract and the Housing Authority will make the initial Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) to the property owner. Payments will continue on a monthly basis as long as the family continues to meet eligibility requirements and the unit meets compliance.
The maximum amount that the Housing Authority will pay on the tenant’s behalf is an amount equal to the Payment Standard minus the total tenant payment. Allowances are made for utilities not included in the rent; the HAP makes up the difference in the total amount due. For example, if 30% of a family's gross monthly income is $100 and the rent, including utilities for the selected apartment, is $350 per month, the tenant pays the landlord $100, and the remaining $250 is paid to the property owner by the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Payment Standards (listed below) are based on the family size, not a family composition.
A family may either remain in their present rental unit or move to another. The following guidelines are applicable:
Under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the family's share of gross rent (rent to owner plus tenant-paid utilities) must not exceed 40 percent of the family's monthly adjusted income. This rent restriction will not apply to a family that rents a unit for a gross rent at or below the Payment Standard for the family. The Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority will not approve a tenancy for the initial occupancy of a unit if the family's share would exceed 40 percent of the adjusted income.
FAIR MARKET RENTS FY 2024
Effective January 1, 2024
Payment Standards in the last column, (highlighted in green) are effective January 1, 2024, for all annual certifications and initial lease-ups including unit transfers.
Payment Standards were calculated within the 110% range of the published FMRs.
2024 FMRs (Posted August 31, 2023)
Effective January 1, 2024, annual/initial certifications
HCV Briefing Video
**If you are interested in Porting into City of Portsmouth, you need to notify the agency you are coming from, that you wish to move to our jurisdiction. If they allow you to move, then they must send us your paperwork first. Once paperwork is received it will be processed within 7-10 business days, you will be assigned a caseworker, and that person will contact you.
If you are interested in Porting Out of the City of Portsmouth. You need to complete a port out request form and provide it to your PRHA Program Specialist.**
Now that you are receiving federal housing assistance, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) wants you to have a broad range of choice in where to live. One of the top priorities of HUD is to broaden housing choices for low-income families. The Section 8 Voucher Program does not restrict where in the city, county, state, or country you may live. Often families with low incomes are restricted to high poverty areas. If you live in such an area, your Voucher provides you with the means to move, and you are encouraged to do so.
Moving out of areas of high-poverty or low opportunity offers significant advantages to Housing Choice Voucher families. Moving will allow you to select a home close to better education, jobs, public transportation, public services, and shopping, select a home within a neighborhood that offers the amenities you desire, a low crime rate, and/or a home in proximity to the school of your choice for your children. HUD studies show that when families move from high poverty areas, children reach higher levels of school achievement.
Where A Family May Move!
Portability enables a family to move nationwide from one local Housing Authority's jurisdiction to another. Portsmouth Redevelopment & Housing Authority will coordinate with the Housing Authority in the jurisdiction to which you would like to move to make your move possible. You must check with the Housing Authority in the area where you wish to move before assuming that a transfer will be automatic. You should attempt to find out if there is a Section 8 Program operational in the community to which you would like to move, and the name and address of the person who might be of assistance. If you are unable to obtain this information, this Housing Authority will attempt to obtain the information for you.
Port INTO Portsmouth, Virginia
3116 South Street, Portsmouth, VA 23702
Step 1: Start the Process.
Request with your current housing authority to port here. If they approve your port, they will need to send your paperwork. It may take 10 business days or more (depending on your housing authority) to receive it.
Step 2: Contact PRHA.
It is your responsibility to contact the Portability Program Specialist to confirm your paperwork was received.
Step 3: PRHA Review.
Once you've confirmed that your paperwork was received, the Program Specialist will need to review it, and contact you within 3-5 business days to confirm your information. Additional documentation may be required.
Step 4: Briefing.
Once your paperwork is determined to be complete, you will be invited for a briefing, where you will receive your moving papers. The average time to schedule a briefing is 10-14 business days from the date the Program Specialist has received all required documentation. Briefings are group sessions by appointment only.
Step 5 Find Housing.
You search for a unit and give the landlord the moving packet to complete. Either the landlord or the client can submit the packet to our office. The packet can simply be emailed to hcv@prha.org
Step 6: Inspection & Final Contract Process.
Once the moving packet is submitted, it is another 7-10 business days until it is processed and moved to inspection. If the unit passes inspection, the Program Specialist will finalize your portion of the rent and send the contract to the landlord.
*Please note that the determination of voucher bedroom size is based on the following: 2 people per bedroom (regardless of sex or age) per the Portsmouth Redevelopment & Housing Authority's Administrative Plan.
Port OUT of Portsmouth Redevelopment & Housing Authority
Step 1: Start the Port Out Process.
Put your request in writing (mail, email, fax) to your Specialist. You must provide a copy of the Notice to Move form/letter you submitted to your landlord.
Step 2: Port Out Approval.
If your move is approved, your Specialist will have a voucher for you to sign. The Specialist will forward the paperwork to the Portability Program Specialist, (this may take 5-10 business days). The Portability Program Specialist will send your paperwork to the new housing authority (this may take an additional 5-10 business days).
Step 3: The New Housing Agency.
Your new Housing Agency will provide you with all necessary forms to finalize the transfer. Contact the new agency for questions related to their policies & inquiries related to the moving process.
Phone: (757) 399-5261 | After Hours: (757) 875-9262 | Fax: (757) 399-8697 | TDD (800) 545-1833 Ext.869
We are an Equal Housing Opportunity Provider.
We provide housing without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental handicap, familial status, national origin, or other protected class. To file a complaint of discrimination, write HUD Director, Office of Civil Rights, 451 7th Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20410 or call Customer Service at (202) 708-1112 (voice) or (202) 708-1455 (TTY). HUD is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
© 2019 Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority | 3116 South Street | Portsmouth, VA 23707
