Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Metro: Pittsburgh, PA HUD Metro FMR Area
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $980 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,040 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,260 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,610 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,750 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,030 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,274 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,456 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,579 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
In ZIP code 15434, the economics of Section 8 housing involve a mix of federal guidelines and local market conditions. The SAFMR (Section 8 Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code is set at $1120 for fiscal year 2024. Local market rents, according to the Census ACS, are slightly higher at $1125.
A landlord receiving a Section 8 voucher should understand the payment structure. The voucher does not cover the entire rent; it is designed to subsidize a portion of the cost based on the tenant's income. Typically, the tenant is responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted monthly income towards rent. This amount is then added to the utility allowance, which can vary but generally ranges from $200 to $300 per month, depending on the size of the unit and local energy costs.
To illustrate, if a tenant has an adjusted monthly income of $1000, they would contribute 30% of that, which is $300, towards the rent. Assuming a utility allowance of $250, the total subsidy would be $550. Therefore, the voucher would pay the remaining balance up to the SAFMR limit. In this case, the voucher would cover $1120 - $300 = $820 for rent, plus the $250 for utilities, totaling $1070.
This leaves a gap between the SAFMR and the local market rent. For a two-bedroom unit, the difference is $1125 - $1120 = $5. However, since the actual voucher payment might be lower due to the tenant's contribution, the gap could be larger. Specifically, the reimbursement gap for a landlord in ZIP 15434 would be $1125 - $1070 = $55.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 15434 can expect a reimbursement that is slightly below the local market rent when renting to a Section 8 tenant. The typical reimbursement gap for a two-bedroom apartment is $55. This gap must be considered when deciding whether to participate in the program.
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.