Location: St. Lawrence County, NY | Metro: St. Lawrence County, NY
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $790 |
| 1 Bedroom | $870 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,140 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,360 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,500 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,740 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,949 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,105 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,210 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $870 | $120,945 | 0.72% | D |
| 2BR | $1,140 | $152,173 | 0.75% | D |
| 3BR | $1,360 | $201,374 | 0.68% | D |
| 4BR | $1,500 | $226,296 | 0.66% | D |
| 5BR | $1,740 | $230,240 | 0.76% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 13676, which encompasses Potsdam, NY, and part of Saint Lawrence County, operate under specific financial guidelines. For a two-bedroom apartment, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) is set at $1,160 per month for fiscal year 2026. This figure represents the maximum amount that the housing authority will reimburse landlords for rent.
In contrast, the local market rent for a similar unit, based on Census ACS data, stands at $923 per month. This discrepancy highlights the potential financial benefits of participating in the Section 8 program, as it offers higher rates compared to the general market.
A landlord receiving a Section 8 voucher should understand the components that make up the total reimbursement. The voucher payment includes:
The SAFMR of $1,160 is the ceiling for the combined reimbursement. If the tenant's portion plus the utility allowance exceeds this amount, the landlord will only receive the SAFMR limit. Conversely, if the sum is below $1,160, the landlord will be reimbursed the full amount including the tenant's contribution and utility allowance.
To illustrate, assume a tenant's portion is $300 and the utility allowance is $150. In this scenario, the landlord would receive a total of $1,160 per month, even though the tenant contributes $450 towards the rent and utilities. This ensures that the landlord does not exceed the SAFMR cap.
Given the local market rent of $923, landlords can expect a surplus when renting to a Section 8 tenant in ZIP 13676. The typical reimbursement gap or surplus for a two-bedroom unit is approximately $237 per month. This surplus provides landlords with a financial incentive to participate in the program, as they receive more than the average market rent for the area.
Landlords must ensure that their units meet the required quality standards and are priced within the SAFMR limits to benefit fully from the program. Participation in Section 8 can offer a stable and predictable income stream, especially in areas where market rents are lower than the SAFMR.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-08-31). Demographics from U.S. Census (2024).
About FMR: Fair Market Rent (FMR) is used to determine payment standards for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, initial renewal rents for some expiring project-based Section 8 contracts, and rent ceilings for HOME Investment Partnerships.