Location: York-Hanover, PA | Metro: York-Hanover, PA MSA
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 | $950 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,040 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,330 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,760 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,850 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,146 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,404 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,596 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,726 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR | $1,040 | $145,947 | 0.71% | D |
| 2BR | $1,330 | $219,367 | 0.61% | D |
| 3BR | $1,760 | $325,517 | 0.54% | F |
| 4BR | $1,850 | $427,273 | 0.43% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
A decision tree for whether to invest in ZIP 17314 (Delta, PA) for Section 8 properties involves three key questions:
1) Does the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1090 cover the debt service on a $314,152 property?
If the annual debt service for a $314,152 property is less than $13,080 ($1090 * 12 months), then the answer is Yes. For instance, if you secure a mortgage at 4%, the monthly payment would be approximately $1,473, making the total annual debt service $17,676. In this case, the answer would be No, as the FMR does not sufficiently cover the debt service.
2) Is the market rent of $998 (from Census ACS) above, at, or below the FMR?
The market rent of $998 is below the FMR of $1090. This means that landlords can potentially charge the higher FMR rate for Section 8 tenants, which is advantageous. However, if market rents rise above the FMR, landlords might face challenges in attracting non-Section 8 tenants who expect to pay the market rate.
3) Are 15.3% of residents renting, combined with an unspecified number of days on the market (DOM), sufficient demand for Section 8 units?
The rental rate of 15.3% suggests a moderate demand for rental properties. Whether this is sufficient depends on the DOM figures, which are currently not available. If the DOM is low, indicating quick property turnover, the demand is likely strong. Conversely, high DOM values suggest weaker demand. Without specific DOM data, the answer is It Depends.
To summarize, if the debt service is covered by the FMR and the market rent is below the FMR, then the investment is viable. However, the strength of demand remains uncertain without DOM data. Landlords must assess their ability to manage properties effectively and consider the long-term outlook for rental demand in Delta, PA.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-08-31). 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.