Location: Lawrence County, PA | Metro: Lawrence County, PA HUD Metro FMR Area
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,020 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,120 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,460 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,020 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,240 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,598 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,910 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,143 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,300 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
ZIP 16155, located in Lawrence County, PA within the HUD Metro FMR Area, serves as a strong cash-flow anchor for a Section 8 portfolio strategy. The Federal Market Rent (FMR) for the area is set at $1,300 for FY 2026, while the market rent stands at $1,125. This creates a positive spread of $175 per unit, ensuring that properties within this ZIP code will generate higher rental income when leased through the Section 8 program compared to the local market rate.
The median home value is not applicable here since the focus is on rental properties, but the high renter share of 100.0% indicates a robust demand for rental units. Landlords and small-portfolio investors can benefit from this steady demand, knowing that their units will likely remain occupied, thus providing consistent cash flow.
While appreciation plays and diversifiers are also important components of a well-rounded investment strategy, ZIP 16155 excels as a cash-flow anchor due to the favorable spread between FMR and market rent. This makes it an ideal location for investors looking to secure reliable income streams without the uncertainty associated with property value fluctuations or varying tenant demands across different markets.
To summarize, ZIP 16155 should be prioritized for its ability to anchor a Section 8 portfolio's cash flow, thanks to the guaranteed higher rental income from the FMR subsidy and the high renter share ensuring occupancy rates.
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.