Location: Northumberland County, PA | Metro: Northumberland County, PA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $730 |
| 1 Bedroom | $900 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,330 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,647 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,845 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,993 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,093 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 17834 are straightforward. For a two-bedroom rental unit, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) is set at $970 per month for fiscal year 2026. This figure is specific to this ZIP code and reflects the maximum amount that HUD (Housing and Urban Development) will pay for a rental unit in this area.
The local market rent, based on Census ACS data, is lower at $732 per month. This represents the average rent paid for similar units in the area without the use of a Section 8 voucher.
A landlord participating in the Section 8 program should understand how the reimbursement works. The voucher pays a combination of the tenant's portion and the utility allowance. Typically, the tenant pays 30% of their adjusted income toward rent, which can be less than the actual market rent. The utility allowance varies but generally covers electricity, water, sewer, and trash collection costs. For ZIP 17834, the total reimbursement to the landlord will not exceed the SAFMR of $970.
To illustrate, if a tenant's portion is $200 and the utility allowance is $150, the landlord receives $350 directly from the tenant plus the $620 subsidy from HUD, totaling $970. If the local market rent is below the SAFMR, such as $732, the landlord still receives the full $970 from the combination of tenant payment and HUD subsidy, ensuring a consistent income stream.
The typical reimbursement gap or surplus for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 17834 is a surplus of $238 per month. This means landlords receive $238 more than the local market rent when they participate in the Section 8 program, making it a reliable option for securing steady income even when market rents fluctuate.
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.