Location: Clarion County, PA | Metro: Clarion County, PA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $780 |
| 1 Bedroom | $790 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,210 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,700 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,972 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,209 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,386 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,505 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 16255 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Standard Amount For Moderate Rehabilitation) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP is set at $970 for the fiscal year 2026. This figure represents the maximum amount that a landlord can receive per month from the housing authority for a two-bedroom unit. However, it's important to understand how the actual reimbursement works when you factor in the tenant's contribution and utility allowances.
The local market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 16255 is currently $786, according to the Census ACS data. This is the average rent paid by tenants without vouchers in the area. When a tenant uses a Section 8 voucher, they typically pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. The remaining 70% is covered by the housing authority up to the SAFMR limit.
Utility allowances are also part of the calculation but vary depending on the specifics of the voucher program in place. Generally, these allowances cover a portion of the tenant's utility costs and are added to the base rental payment made by the housing authority. If a tenant's share plus the utility allowance exceeds the SAFMR, the housing authority will cap the total reimbursement at $970.
To illustrate, let's assume a tenant's portion of the rent is $230, which is 30% of an adjusted income, and the utility allowance is $100. In this case, the housing authority would pay $640 ($970 - $230 - $100) to the landlord, bringing the total reimbursement to the SAFMR limit of $970. This scenario leaves the landlord with a reimbursement that is $184 above the local market rent ($970 - $786).
However, if the tenant's portion and utility allowance together are less than the SAFMR, the landlord could potentially receive less than the SAFMR cap. For example, if the tenant's share is $180 and the utility allowance is $70, the housing authority would pay $720 ($970 - $180 - $70), which is exactly at the local market rent level. This would result in no surplus or gap for the landlord.
In summary, the typical reimbursement for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 16255 under the Section 8 program can either exceed the local market rent, providing a surplus, or match it closely, leaving little to no gap. Landlords should carefully review the specifics of the voucher program and the tenant's financial details to determine the exact reimbursement they can expect.
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.