Right
to Move
Families may utilize their voucher to move into a unit
that the owner is willing to rent to them under the program guidelines. This
part covers the general rules that apply to all moves by a family assisted
under OHA’s HCV program, whether the family moves to another unit within OHA’s
jurisdiction or moves to a unit outside OHA’s jurisdiction. Moves to a
jurisdiction outside of Oakland are covered under the section on
portability.
In general, the family is allowed to move if the
following conditions are met:
- The family has completed its initial lease term in the
subsidized unit.
- The family has a right to terminate the lease on notice
to the owner (for the owner’s breach or otherwise) and has given a notice of termination to the
owner in accordance with the lease. If the family terminates the lease on notice to the owner, the family must
give the PHA a copy of the notice at the same time.
- The lease for the family’s unit has been terminated by
mutual agreement of the owner and the family.
- The owner has given the family a notice to vacate, has
commenced an action to evict the family, or has obtained a court judgment or other
process allowing the owner to evict the family. The family must give the PHA a copy of any owner
eviction notice.
- The PHA has terminated the assisted lease for the
family’s unit for the owner’s breach.
- The PHA determines that the family’s current unit does
not meet the HQS space standards because of an increase in family size or a change in
family composition. In such cases, the PHA must issue the family a new voucher, and the family
and PHA must try to find an acceptable unit as soon as possible.
How to Move
For OHA determined moves, the family will be issued a
transfer voucher.
For voluntary moves, the family must request and receive a transfer voucher prior to moving from the unit. The family may request a transfer voucher by submitting a copy of the Notice of Intent to Vacate along with Transfer Voucher Request Form.
When the move is approved, the family will be issued a
transfer voucher that is good for ninety (90) days. Families unable to
locate a suitable unit within that time frame who are still residing in the
subsidized unit will notify their present owner a second time and be issued a
new voucher. If the family no longer resides in the unit, they may
request an extension to their voucher.
Voucher Issuance and Briefing
- For families
approved to move to a new unit within OHA’s jurisdiction, OHA will issue a new voucher within 10 business days after all required
documents have been received necessary documents have been submitted by the family.
- For families
approved to move to a new unit outside of OHA’s jurisdiction, OHA will issue a new voucher with the portability package within 15
business days after all required documents have been received.