Search Time Limit |
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The BHA issues vouchers with an initial term of 120 days and with no extensions. Vouchers expire at the end of 120 days unless the initial term is tolled or extended for specific reasons as provided in the following paragraphs.
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Tolling Policy |
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There may be circumstances where the 120 day search period or extension thereof is subject to tolling. If a family submits a Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA), but the apartment fails inspection and the owner needs more time to bring it up to approvable condition, or if the apartment cannot be inspected immediately (e.g. the apartment is being rehabilitated), the leasing officer may give the owner reasonable time to make repairs.
Under these circumstances the voucher term will be tolled when a family submits the Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA), and the leasing officer sends an Agency Determination form to the voucher holder indicating that the tenancy may not be approved for a reason described on the form. The Agency Determination form will list the voucher's new expiration date.
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Extension Policy |
The Boston Housing Authority shall use its discretion to grant a family requesting an extension of a voucher search term one or more extensions beyond the initial 120 day voucher search period. The BHA will grant such an extension of said term by written notice to the family. Unless otherwise noted such extensions will be granted for an additional 120 days. Extensions will be granted in circumstances where during the initial voucher search term:
- The family or individual was not able to actively search for housing due to extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the voucher holder (i.e. disaster or death in the family requiring travel out of state);
- A voucher holder suffered from severe medical difficulties, an unexpected illness or hospitalization (i.e. rehabilitation program) during the initial 120 day search period. Under these circumstances, the Boston Housing Authority will extend the search period for 60 days or if such time was more than 60 days, for as many days as an applicant was hospitalized, in a rehabilitation center, or incapacitated due to illness;
- If the family needs and requests an extension of the initial voucher term as a reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability. The Boston Housing Authority will extend such voucher term as is reasonably necessary so that the program may be accessible to a family member or individual who is a person with a disability.
In cases of alleged discrimination where the family has filed a complaint with either the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), or a municipality's fair housing commission, the BHA will extend the client's voucher for an additional 180 days pending resolution of the matter or finding of probable cause.
A rental assistance voucher will be extended beyond the one-hundred and 120 day search period for an additional 120 day period if the voucher holder can demonstrate by search log entries or other means that the family contacted a minimum of 40 available apartments during the search period and was not successful in locating an apartment in which to utilize his or her rental assistance.
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Expiration Policy |
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The family's voucher expires automatically on the date indicated on the Voucher unless the family submits a Request for Tenancy Approval. The BHA does not notify voucher holders of impending expiration, nor does the BHA notify a voucher holder of such expiration when it occurs.
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