I had gone to meet with a manager of a property and we (or I did) happily start the paperwork. The manager and I started talking and she asked about my Voucher and then went "UH OH"...as I was a County Voucher holder..(never used..I have 2 months left until the Voucher would be useless). She called HUD and then told me "Sorry, sorry." "You are county." I left crushed as initially I had found a place and my present landlady screwed up the process by not contacting the realtor and I lost the place...so this was going to be the second time I had a place within my grasp and felt I'd lost it. Fortunately, my Sister was with me and refused to accept that answer and we rushed to the HUD office and talked it over with one of the staff there and she said "Sure you can PORT". I got handed the Port form and filled it out and asked the woman, "So I can go back and pay the required fees and fill out my tenant application?"
She told me "Yes" (In fact, another staff worker was dubious and pulled up my information on the computer and agreed and as I rushed out the door to go back to the property they called out "Congratulations!!" I took care of the tedious process of paperwork and handing over money. That was on the 19th. I called the HUD office on the 20th to double check and they confirmed my Voucher had been PORTED TO the City office that day. I believe since housing is so horribly tight, and you hold that Voucher and your background check etc. comes back 'green'.
(YES, it will be a boon. I never could understand the "island of Santa Rosa" being denied to those living in surrounding areas. If there is available housing anywhere in the County one lives, why is it not available to ALL to make the attempt to fill a unit/house?? Santa Rosa jurisdiction is small...again "island" yet has more apartments especially, that seem to come up available.)
So my paperwork has been Ported.
I will update as soon as tomorrow (Monday July 25th 2016) arrives, as I plan to be up early and on the phone calling the City HUD. My Tenancy paperwork was filled out and sent over also by the property manager.
UPDATE: MONDAY JULY 25TH: Sonoma county HUD caseworker called. Everything (paperwork is over at Santa Rosa HUD. Porting packet and my Tenancy Voucher.) The manager at the property called to let me know how things from their end work as I'm new to the Voucher world. (would any of us had imagined having to deal with this stuff in our lives, but it is what it is.)
Now what I have to do is the hardest part: sit and wait for them to contact me! Folks/housing seekers: I am going to try and get the particulars about the housing tenancy and jurisdiction requirements to keep you all updated to hopefully assist you in knowing the steps to take. May we all find shelter!
ADDENDUM: In regards to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, if you are not a resident of the area you applied to, you must live within the jurisdiction of that housing authority for one year before you are able transfer to a new area, known as porting. If you were a resident of the housing authority's jurisdiction when applying, you may port immediately after receiving your voucher.