Location: Lawrence County, PA | Metro: Lawrence County, PA HUD Metro FMR Area
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $720 |
| 1 Bedroom | $790 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,400 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,550 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,798 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,014 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,175 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,284 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 16140 are straightforward. For a two-bedroom rental unit, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) is set at $970 per month for FY 2026. This figure is specific to this ZIP code and reflects the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher program will pay for a unit in this area. However, it's important to note that the local market rent data is currently unavailable, which means we cannot directly compare the SAFMR to typical rental rates in the area.
A voucher payment consists of two parts: the tenant contribution and the utility allowance. Tenants are required to contribute 30% of their adjusted income toward the rent. If a tenant's adjusted income is $1,000 per month, their contribution would be $300. Utility allowances vary but are typically around $100-$150 per month for a two-bedroom unit. Therefore, if the total SAFMR is $970, the landlord can expect the government to cover the remaining amount after the tenant's contribution and utility allowance are deducted.
To illustrate, let's assume a tenant contributes $300 and there is a $150 utility allowance. The total amount covered by the government would be $970 - ($300 + $150) = $520. Thus, the landlord receives $520 from the government plus the $300 from the tenant, totaling $820.
This results in a reimbursement gap, as the total reimbursement ($820) is less than the SAFMR ($970). The gap is $150 per month. Landlords should be aware of this gap when considering participation in the Section 8 program. It is crucial to understand that while the SAFMR provides a cap on the government subsidy, the actual amount received by the landlord will depend on the tenant's income and utility usage.
In summary, for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 16140, the SAFMR is $970, but the typical reimbursement from the voucher program will be lower due to the tenant's contribution and utility allowances. The reimbursement gap for a 2BR unit is approximately $150 per month, leaving landlords with a surplus of $820 rather than the full SAFMR amount.
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.