Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 18219 - 2027

Location: Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | Metro: Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA MSA

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Unit Size	Monthly FMR
Studio	$860
1 Bedroom	$1,000
2 Bedrooms	$1,230
3 Bedrooms	$1,610
4 Bedrooms	$1,770
5 Bedrooms	$2,053
6 Bedrooms	$2,299
7 Bedrooms	$2,483
8 Bedrooms	$2,607

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

1,047

Median Household Income

$52,566

Housing Units

600

Renter Percentage

35.9%

Occupancy Rate

92.8%

Renter Occupied

200

The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 18219 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Section 8 Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $990 per month for FY 2024. This figure is specific to this ZIP code, reflecting the localized rental market conditions.

Local market rents, as reported by the Census ACS, run slightly lower at $927 per month. This means that landlords participating in Section 8 can potentially receive a higher rent reimbursement compared to the average market rate.

To understand how a voucher works, it's important to break down the components. The voucher program aims to cover the difference between 30% of the tenant's income and the actual rent. Here’s a step-by-step walk-through:

Tenant Portion: Tenants are expected to pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income towards rent. If a tenant's adjusted monthly income is $1,000, they would pay $300.
Voucher Payment: The Housing Authority then pays the remaining amount up to the SAFMR limit. In this case, if the rent is $990, the Housing Authority would pay $690 ($990 - $300).
Utility Allowances: Utility allowances are also part of the calculation but are typically separate from the rent reimbursement. These vary based on household size and other factors but do not affect the base rent payment directly.

In ZIP 18219, given the SAFMR of $990 and an average market rent of $927, landlords can expect a reimbursement closer to the SAFMR rather than the market rate. This means that landlords might see a surplus when renting to tenants with vouchers, as the voucher payment will be higher than the average market rent.

However, it's crucial to note that the reimbursement gap or surplus depends on the actual rent charged and the tenant's income. If a landlord charges exactly $990, and the tenant's portion is $300, the landlord receives the full SAFMR amount. But if the landlord charges less than $990, say $927, the landlord receives the market rent plus the utility allowance, which could still result in a surplus over the typical market rent.

Overall, landlords in ZIP 18219 can anticipate a positive economic impact from Section 8 vouchers, with a potential surplus of up to $63 per month for a two-bedroom unit, assuming the market rent is $927 and the voucher covers up to $990. This surplus can help offset any administrative costs associated with the program and provide a stable income source for landlords.

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.