Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 17109 - 2027
Location: Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | Metro: Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA MSA
FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates
| Unit Size |
Monthly FMR |
| Studio | $1,230 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,350 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,680 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,160 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,210 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,564 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,872 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,102 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,257 |
Demographics & Housing Statistics
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
Median Household Income
$71,833
Housing Authorities Serving ZIP 17109
To decide whether to invest in ZIP 17109 (Harrisburg, PA) for Section 8 properties, follow this decision tree:
- Does FMR $1300 (zip FY 2024) clear debt service on a $261,202 property?
- If your target debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) is 1.20 or higher, then the answer is no. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1300 would not sufficiently cover the required debt service for a property valued at $261,202.
- If your DSCR requirement is lower, say 1.00 or slightly above, then it might be yes, but only under optimal conditions where expenses are minimal and occupancy rates are high.
- Is market rent $1,340 (ZORI) above, at, or below FMR?
- The Zillow Observed Rental Index (ZORI) indicates that the average market rent is $1,340. This is above the FMR of $1300, suggesting that market rents are higher than what the government subsidizes for Section 8 tenants.
- Are 48.0% renters + N/A-day days on market (DOM) enough demand?
- The percentage of renters at 48.0% suggests a moderate demand for rental properties. However, the absence of days on market (DOM) data makes it difficult to assess how quickly properties are rented out. Without DOM data, we can only rely on the rental rate percentage.
- If you find that the rental market is competitive and there's a steady flow of tenants, then the answer is yes. There is sufficient demand to support a Section 8 property.
- If the competition is too high or if there are other factors such as an oversupply of rentals, then the answer is it depends. You will need to consider these additional factors to determine if the demand is strong enough.
Based on the provided data, investing in ZIP 17109 for Section 8 properties hinges on your debt service requirements and the competitive landscape of the rental market. The FMR does not clear a typical debt service at the given property value, and while market rents are higher, the demand needs further evaluation due to missing DOM data.
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.