Location: Venango County, PA | Metro: Venango County, PA
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $720 |
| 1 Bedroom | $790 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,030 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,300 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,682 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,884 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,035 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,137 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,300 | $99,153 | 1.31% | A |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 16343 are defined by the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) rates set by HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development). For fiscal year 2026, the SAFMR for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code is $1,000 per month. This figure represents the maximum amount that the federal government will pay toward the rent for a two-bedroom unit under the Section 8 program.
A voucher holder is typically required to pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. This amount is known as the tenant portion. Additionally, there are utility allowances which can vary but are generally around $300-$400 for a two-bedroom apartment. These utilities cover electricity, gas, water, and sewer services.
To walk a landlord through the actual payment process, let's assume the tenant's portion is $300 per month. The total reimbursement to the landlord would be the sum of the tenant's contribution and the government's subsidy, which cannot exceed the SAFMR. In this case, if the tenant contributes $300, the government would cover the remaining up to the SAFMR of $1,000. Therefore, the landlord would receive a total of $1,000 per month.
Note that the SAFMR is specifically set for this ZIP code, meaning it reflects the local rental market conditions and is not influenced by broader metro or county-level averages. This specificity helps ensure that the subsidy aligns closely with the actual cost of renting in the area.
Given the SAFMR of $1,000 for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 16343, and assuming a tenant portion of $300, the typical reimbursement gap or surplus depends on the actual market rent. Since the local market rent is listed as N/A, we cannot calculate an exact surplus or shortfall. However, if the market rent were higher than $1,000, the landlord would face a shortfall. Conversely, if the market rent is lower, the landlord might receive a surplus, though the government payment will never exceed the SAFMR.
Landlords should consider these factors when deciding whether to participate in the Section 8 program. While the program guarantees timely payments, the reimbursement is capped at the SAFMR, which may not always match the landlord's desired rental price.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). 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.