Location: Schuylkill County, PA | Metro: Schuylkill County, PA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $730 |
| 1 Bedroom | $800 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,050 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,370 |
| 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 17933 are defined by the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment, which is set at $970 for the fiscal year 2026. This SAFMR figure represents the maximum amount that the housing authority will pay towards the rent subsidy for a unit in this specific ZIP code.
Local market rent data is currently unavailable for ZIP 17933, but we can still walk through how the voucher system works. Under Section 8, tenants are responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. The remainder, up to the SAFMR limit, is covered by the housing voucher. For example, if a tenant's adjusted monthly income is $1,000, they would contribute $300 towards the rent. If the total rent for the property is $970, the housing authority would cover the difference, which is $670, plus any utility allowances.
The utility allowance is another component of the voucher payment. It varies based on the number of bedrooms and the location. In ZIP 17933, the utility allowance for a two-bedroom apartment is included in the overall $970 SAFMR. However, it's important to note that the exact amount allocated for utilities is not specified in the SAFMR figure and is determined separately by the housing authority.
Landlords should understand that the SAFMR being set at $970 means that the reimbursement from the housing authority will not exceed this amount, regardless of the actual market rent. If the market rent is higher than $970, landlords will face a reimbursement gap. Conversely, if the market rent is lower, landlords might receive the full SAFMR, leading to a surplus.
In ZIP 17933, given the SAFMR of $970, landlords can expect the following scenarios:
If the market rent is below $970, the landlord will be reimbursed the full market rent, potentially receiving more than the local market average.
If the market rent exceeds $970, the landlord will only receive the SAFMR amount from the housing authority, leaving them with a reimbursement gap for the excess rent.
To illustrate the reimbursement gap or surplus, consider a scenario where the local market rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,100. In this case, the housing authority would only reimburse up to $970, leaving a gap of $130 per month that the landlord would need to absorb. On the other hand, if the market rent is $800, the landlord would receive the full $970, resulting in a surplus of $170 per month.
Therefore, landlords operating in ZIP 17933 must carefully evaluate their rental pricing strategy to ensure profitability while participating in the Section 8 program. The reimbursement gap or surplus for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code will depend entirely on the market rent compared to the $970 SAFMR.
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.