Location: Erie, PA | Metro: Erie, PA MSA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $760 |
| 1 Bedroom | $860 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,100 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,360 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,580 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,833 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,053 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,217 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,328 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 16510, located in Erie, Pennsylvania, are straightforward. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code for fiscal year 2024 is $1070. This figure represents the maximum amount that the housing authority will pay on behalf of a tenant who uses a Section 8 voucher.
To understand how much a landlord can expect to receive, consider the following breakdown. The tenant is responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted income toward rent. If we assume an average adjusted income of $1,400 per month, the tenant's portion would be around $420. This leaves the housing authority to cover the remaining balance up to the SAFMR limit of $1070. However, the housing authority will only pay the difference between the tenant’s contribution and the actual rent charged, not exceeding the SAFMR.
In ZIP 16510, the local market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $859 according to the latest Census ACS data. Since the market rent is below the SAFMR, landlords who participate in the Section 8 program for a two-bedroom unit will receive the full market rent plus any applicable utility allowances. Utility allowances vary but typically range from $200 to $300 depending on the household size and location.
If we add a utility allowance of approximately $250 to the market rent of $859, the total reimbursement a landlord might receive for a two-bedroom unit would be around $1109. This amount is slightly above the SAFMR of $1070, indicating that landlords could potentially receive a small surplus if they charge close to the market rate and claim the full utility allowance.
However, if a landlord charges exactly $1070 for a two-bedroom apartment, the housing authority will cover the difference between the tenant's portion ($420) and the SAFMR, which is $650. In this scenario, there would be no surplus; the landlord would simply receive the market rate of $859 plus the utility allowance, totaling around $1109.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 16510 participating in the Section 8 program for a two-bedroom unit can expect a reimbursement gap or surplus depending on the rent charged. If the rent is set at the market rate of $859, the landlord will likely see a small surplus when including utility allowances. But if the rent is set at the SAFMR rate of $1070, the landlord will receive the full market rate plus utility allowances, without surplus or deficit.
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.