Location: Chautauqua County, NY | Metro: Chautauqua County, NY
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $880 |
| 1 Bedroom | $980 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,260 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,660 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,730 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,007 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,248 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,428 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,549 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
In Sinclairville, NY, which falls under ZIP code 14782, the economics of Section 8 housing can be clearly defined using the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) rates established by HUD for fiscal year 2026. For a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code, the SAFMR is set at $1,160. This figure represents the maximum amount that a landlord can receive from the government via the Housing Choice Voucher program for such a unit.
Contrastingly, the local market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Sinclairville, as per the Census American Community Survey (ACS), stands at $725. This lower figure is indicative of the average rent that tenants might typically pay without a voucher.
A landlord participating in the Section 8 program receives reimbursement based on the voucher holder's income and the SAFMR. Typically, the tenant is responsible for paying approximately 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent. If we assume an average adjusted monthly income of $1,500 for a voucher holder, the tenant would contribute around $450 towards the rent.
The remainder of the rent is covered by the housing authority. In the case of a two-bedroom apartment in Sinclairville, this would mean the housing authority would cover the difference between the tenant's contribution and the SAFMR. Given the SAFMR of $1,160, the housing authority would reimburse the landlord with $710 per month, assuming the tenant's share is $450.
Utility allowances also play a role in the total reimbursement. These allowances vary but are generally designed to help cover the cost of utilities. For simplicity, let's assume a utility allowance of $200. This would be added to the housing authority's reimbursement, bringing the total reimbursement to $910 per month.
This leaves a significant gap between the local market rent of $725 and the reimbursement rate of $910. The surplus for a landlord accepting a Section 8 voucher in this scenario would be $185 per month, over and above the typical local market rent. This surplus is beneficial for landlords as it provides a buffer against potential maintenance costs or other expenses associated with rental properties.
To summarize, landlords in ZIP code 14782 can expect a reimbursement of up to $910 for a two-bedroom apartment, considering a tenant contribution of about $450 and a utility allowance of $200. This results in a surplus of $185 compared to the local market rent of $725, making participation in the Section 8 program financially advantageous in Sinclairville, NY.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). 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.