Location: Schuylkill County, PA | Metro: Schuylkill County, PA
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 | $840 |
| 1 Bedroom | $920 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,200 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,560 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,620 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,879 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,104 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,272 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,386 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,200 | $41,443 | 2.9% | A+ |
| 3BR | $1,560 | $44,572 | 3.5% | A+ |
| 4BR | $1,620 | $58,680 | 2.76% | A+ |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
In ZIP code 17948, which encompasses Mahanoy City, PA, in Schuylkill County, the economics of Section 8 housing vouchers operate under specific parameters. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code for fiscal year 2026 is set at $1,190. This figure represents the maximum amount that the government will reimburse landlords for renting out a unit under the Section 8 program.
Local market rents, according to the latest Census ACS data, average $916 for a two-bedroom apartment. This indicates that landlords participating in the Section 8 program can potentially charge above the average market rate, but they cannot exceed the SAFMR of $1,190 without risking non-payment for the excess.
A landlord's actual reimbursement under the Section 8 program involves several factors. First, the tenant is required to pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. If we assume an adjusted income of $1,000 per month, the tenant would contribute $300 towards the rent. Second, there are utility allowances that vary based on the size of the apartment and the region. For a two-bedroom unit in this area, the utility allowance might be around $200, though this figure can change annually and should be confirmed with the local housing authority.
The total reimbursement a landlord receives is calculated by adding the tenant's contribution and the utility allowance, then comparing it to the SAFMR. In our example, if the tenant pays $300 and the utility allowance is $200, the government will cover the remaining $690 to reach the $1,190 SAFMR. However, if the tenant's contribution plus the utility allowance exceeds the SAFMR, the landlord only gets the $1,190 cap.
To illustrate, if a tenant's adjusted income is higher, say $1,500, their contribution would be $450. With the same $200 utility allowance, the total reimbursement would be $640 ($450 + $200), still capped at $1,190. Therefore, the landlord would receive $1,190 regardless of the tenant's higher contribution, as the reimbursement is limited by the SAFMR.
The typical reimbursement gap or surplus in ZIP 17948 for a two-bedroom unit is thus determined by comparing the SAFMR to the local market rent. At $1,190, the SAFMR is higher than the average market rent of $916, indicating a potential surplus of $274 for landlords who choose to participate in the Section 8 program. This surplus allows landlords to receive more than the local market rate without exceeding the SAFMR limit.
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.