Location: Crawford County, PA | Metro: Crawford County, PA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $790 |
| 1 Bedroom | $870 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,030 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,560 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,810 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,027 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,189 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,298 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 16131 are straightforward and can be broken down into clear components for landlords and small-portfolio investors. The SAFMR (Section 8 Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code for fiscal year 2026 is set at $970. This figure represents the maximum amount that the housing authority will pay for a two-bedroom rental unit in this specific area.
Local market rent, as reported by the Census ACS, also stands at $970 for a two-bedroom unit. This parity between the SAFMR and the local market rent means that landlords participating in the Section 8 program can expect to receive an amount close to the prevailing market rate, assuming their property meets the necessary standards and conditions.
A Section 8 voucher works by covering the difference between what a low-income tenant can afford and the actual rent. The tenant's portion is typically 30% of their adjusted income, which is calculated based on their gross income minus certain allowable deductions. For instance, if a tenant has an adjusted income of $1,000 per month, they would contribute $300 towards the rent. The remaining $670, plus any utility allowances, would be covered by the housing authority.
The utility allowance varies but is usually around $100-$200 per month, depending on the type of utilities included. This allowance is directly paid to the landlord by the housing authority, along with the tenant's portion of the rent.
To illustrate, if the utility allowance is $150, the total reimbursement to the landlord would be $820 ($670 + $150). Given that the SAFMR is $970, there would be a reimbursement gap of $150 per month, meaning the landlord would need to accept a lower rent than the market rate or seek additional sources of revenue to make up for the shortfall.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 16131 who participate in the Section 8 program can expect a reimbursement of $820 for a two-bedroom unit, assuming a utility allowance of $150. This leaves a gap of $150 compared to the SAFMR, which is the standard benchmark for rental rates in this area.
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.