Moving with a Voucher

Are you planning to move to a new rental unit within Dakota County or outside of Dakota County? The Housing Choice Voucher program allows you to take your voucher with you to a new unit.

As you plan your move, here are few things to think about:

Money:
Moving is expensive! Application fees, new security deposits, the expense of moving furniture and belongings, as well as phone and utility hook-up fees will all cost you money.

Children:
Moving can be difficult for your children. It disrupts the relationships, attachments and routines in your child’s world.

Screening:
Many landlords run credit and criminal checks. It’s important to have a good rental history. A landlord can deny your application and refuse to rent to you if you have a record of an eviction action, poor reference from your previous landlord or criminal record.

Here is helpful information to prepare yourself for your upcoming move and the process that must be followed when moving with your voucher.

Note: the CDA will only approve one move in a 12 month period of time. 12 month leases are required with your Housing Choice Voucher.

Moving within Dakota County

Are you planning to move to a new rental unit within Dakota County? The steps outlined below will assist you in the process of moving with your voucher.

What do I need to do to move?

Step 1. If you are planning to move, contact your Housing Specialist immediately! A Notice of Plans to Move form must be filled out as soon as possible.

Print out the Notice of Plans to Move form or call your Housing Specialist to request a paper copy of the form.
Notice of Plans to Move
Fill out the Notice of Plans to Move form.
Return the Notice of Plans to Move form to your Housing Specialist.

Step 2. Provide your current landlord with proper notice that you plan to move. Check your lease – usually a written 60 + one day notice is required.

Step 3. Provide the CDA with a 60 day written notice. For example: if you are moving to a new unit on October 1, the CDA must have written notice by July 31.

Step 4. The Request for Tenancy Approval form must be filled out by your new landlord and returned to the CDA by 4:30 p.m. on the 15^th of the month before you move. Plan ahead!

Step 5. Vacate your current unit in “good standing”

Examples of leaving when you are not in “good standing” can include:

Failure to give proper notice
Damage to unit beyond normal wear and tear
Unpaid rent owed to the landlord/owner

Step 6. You must provide updated income, asset and expense information to your Housing Specialist and attend a briefing appointment at the CDA.

What do I need to know before I move?

You cannot pay more than 40% of your adjusted monthly income toward your rent and utilities.
If the unit you select costs more than 40% of your adjusted monthly income, the CDA will not approve the unit.
We will provide a worksheet for you to estimate the maximum rent you can afford.
Your rent limit may change if your estimated income is different from your verified income.
The inspection for your new unit will be done on the 1^st business day of the month.

Porting & Moving In or Out of Dakota County:

Are you thinking about moving in or out of Dakota County with your current voucher? Your Housing Choice Voucher can be used nationwide. This process is called portability. Portability means that you may move anywhere in the state or country that has a housing authority that provides vouchers.

If you’re a current Dakota County resident with a Housing Choice Voucher, please contact your Housing Specialist before you give notice to confirm that it is okay for you to move out of the county at this time. Some situations may require you to remain in a certain housing authority’s jurisdiction for a certain period of time.

Things to consider when porting

If you hold a voucher from a housing authority other than the Dakota County CDA, they will need to determine whether or not you are approved to port.
Inform the CDA 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.
You must vacate your current unit in “good standing”.
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 Dakota County CDA for approval. The request will be forwarded to the new housing authority to continue processing your move.
The housing authority in the jurisdiction you are moving to will determine the bedroom size unit that you are eligible for. Please note: different housing authorities have different bedroom size guidelines.
12 month leases are required in any jurisdiction. You will be required to sign a 12 month lease upon moving.
The new housing authority will have different payment standards, different estimates for utilities that you pay, different rules, policies and deadlines.
Once your move is complete, the new housing authority will be your contact for future questions and information about your rental assistance.

For more information regarding porting in to Dakota County, please contact the Port In-Take Housing Specialist Kristen Andersen 651-675-4544 or portability@dakotacda.org

For portability billing questions, please contact the Compliance and Landlord Relations Manager at 651-675-4539 or apillsbury@dakotacda.org.