Department Of Commerce

WHAT YOU SHOULD EXPECT BEFORE MOVING TO MONTANA:

Montana has a very competitive rental market. In 2022, the average statewide rental vacancy rate was 3.2% (U.S. Census Bureau). Be sure to research the average rent of the area you want to move to, the cost of utilities, and transportation when choosing where to move. Consider contacting properties and owners before you start the porting process to better understand the rental market and get ahead of the curve.

SEARCH FOR HOUSING

HOW DO I DECIDE WHERE TO MOVE?

  • Research, research, research! The payment standards and utility allowance may be different from your current housing authority. The receiving housing authority will determine your voucher size and rent calculation.
  • Decide where to move BEFORE submitting a request to port (consider: safety, transportation, utility costs, weather, and quality of schools).
  • Look at the average cost of rentals in the area where you want to move and the amount of available rentals within the payment standard.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE I MOVE?

  • Inform the initiating PHA as soon as possible of your intention to “port out” as transferring your voucher can take time. You must provide the name of the city that you’re planning to move to.
  • Remember, moving is costly. Movers, gas, and new furniture will not be covered by the housing authority. Consider these costs when deciding where to move.
  • Depending on the housing authority, the length of the lease may differ from 6- 12 months.
  • The new housing authority may have different payment standards,  estimates for utilities that you pay, rules, policies, and deadlines.
  • The unit you select must not exceed 40% of your income to be approved by the receiving housing authority.
  • Once your move is complete, your new housing authority will be your contact for future questions and information about your rental assistance.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS TO PORT INTO MONTANA:

Most families are eligible to port with a voucher to any place in the U.S. with a Housing Choice Voucher program.

Commerce may deny the move in the case of insufficient funds, grounds for termination, or denial of assistance. If Commerce denies the move due to insufficient funds, they must notify HUD within 10 business days of the decision.

INCOME ELIGIBILITY:

You must be income eligible for a voucher in the area you plan to move.

Before moving, eligible families must specify where they wish to move in their port request to the receiving PHA in Montana. If the PHA determines the family is not income eligible in the area they wish to move, the PHA will notify the family they are not eligible to move and receive voucher assistance in that area. (Admin Plan Ch. 10, 2.B.)

I’M READY TO PORT TO MONTANA: PROCEDURE

Step 1. Plan ahead! Decide where you are porting. PHA’s will not process the port without the name of the city you are moving to. Once you decide on the area that you are moving to, your new landlord will need to complete the Request for Tenancy Approval form and return it to the PHA for approval. The request will be forwarded to the new housing authority to continue processing your move.

Step 2. Notify your landlord of your plan to move. You will need to provide a copy of the written request to move to your initial housing authority. Talk to your housing authority if you have questions about when you need to notify your landlord. Housing authorities may require a 30 or 60-day notice.

Step 3. Vacate your current unit in “good standing.” Examples of leaving when you are not in “good standing” include: failure to give advanced notice of move, damage to the unit beyond normal wear and tear, and/or unpaid rent owed to the landlord/owner.

Step 4. Your voucher will be issued within 14 days after written approval to port is issued by Commerce.

Porting In FAQs For Program Participants

A: Portability is required when a family wants to move out of the state or jurisdiction of their initial PHA. A transfer occurs when a family wants to move within their initial PHA’s state or jurisdiction.
A: Montana Department of Commerce is currently absorbing incoming Portability Vouchers.
A: The deadline to bill the receiving PHA is 90 days following the expiration date of the voucher issued to the family by the initial PHA. In the case the voucher is suspended and delays the initial billing submission, the initial PHA must notify the receiving PHA of the delayed billing before the billing deadline. (Admin plan Ch. 10, Section II.)
A: If MT Commerce has grounds for denying the port request, they will notify HUD within 10 business days of the port request.
A: Your voucher will be issued within 14 days after written approval to port is issued by Commerce.
A: Please contact the Commerce porting specialist by phone at 406.841.2830 or by email at ports@mt.gov if you have questions about porting a participant in a special population program.