Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Metro: Pittsburgh, PA HUD Metro FMR Area
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $820 |
| 1 Bedroom | $870 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,050 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,340 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,470 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,705 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,910 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,063 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,166 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 15612 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Section 8 Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code is set at $910 per month for the fiscal year 2024. This figure represents the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher program will pay towards rent for a two-bedroom unit in this area.
To understand what a landlord can expect from a voucher, it's important to break down the components. The voucher payment consists of the subsidy from the government plus the tenant's contribution. Typically, the tenant is responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. This amount covers only the rent, not utilities or other expenses.
The SAFMR does not account for local market rents, which are currently not available for ZIP 15612. However, the SAFMR serves as the benchmark for what the government will subsidize. If a landlord sets the rent above $910, the tenant must make up the difference out of pocket. Conversely, if the rent is below $910, the government will pay the full subsidized amount, and the landlord receives the full rent.
In addition to the rent subsidy, the voucher program includes utility allowances. These allowances vary but are designed to help cover the cost of electricity, gas, water, and other essential services. For a two-bedroom apartment, the utility allowance is typically around $200 per month, though this can fluctuate based on individual circumstances and the specific terms of the voucher.
Let's walk through an example. Suppose a tenant has an adjusted monthly income of $1,000. They would contribute 30% of that, or $300, towards the rent. With the SAFMR at $910, the government subsidy would be $910 minus the tenant's contribution ($300), resulting in a government payment of $610. Adding the utility allowance of approximately $200, the total reimbursement a landlord might receive could be around $810 per month.
This means there is a potential reimbursement gap of $100 for a two-bedroom apartment priced at the SAFMR level of $910. Landlords should be aware that they cannot charge more than the SAFMR without the tenant covering the additional costs. If the market rent is lower than $910, landlords may see a surplus, where the government pays the full SAFMR, and the tenant's contribution covers any excess over the actual market rent.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 15612 can expect a total reimbursement of around $810 for a two-bedroom apartment, given the SAFMR and typical utility allowances. This leaves a $100 gap between the total reimbursement and the SAFMR, which landlords need to consider when pricing their units to ensure they are financially viable.
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.