Location: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA | Metro: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 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 | $1,910 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,080 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,500 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,990 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,300 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,828 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $4,287 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,630 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,862 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $2,500 | $676,294 | 0.37% | F |
| 3BR | $2,990 | $757,965 | 0.39% | F |
| 4BR | $3,300 | $959,158 | 0.34% | F |
| 5BR | $3,828 | $1,322,335 | 0.29% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 18977, located in Washington Crossing, PA, within Bucks County, are governed by the Specific Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) for a two-bedroom apartment, which is set at $2430 for fiscal year 2024. This SAFMR rate is specifically tailored for this ZIP code, ensuring that it reflects the local rental market conditions accurately.
Section 8 vouchers provide financial assistance to low-income tenants, allowing them to pay a portion of their rent based on their income. Typically, the tenant's contribution is 30% of their adjusted monthly income. For instance, if a tenant's monthly income is $1620, they would be responsible for paying approximately $486 towards the rent ($1620 * 0.30).
The remaining balance is then covered by the housing authority, up to the SAFMR limit. In the case of a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 18977, the housing authority would cover the difference between the tenant's payment and the SAFMR rate. If the total rent for the unit is $2430, and the tenant pays $486, the housing authority would reimburse the landlord $1944 ($2430 - $486).
Additionally, there are utility allowances that can vary but are typically included in the overall reimbursement. These allowances help cover electricity, gas, water, and other essential utilities. The exact amount of these allowances is determined by the local housing authority and can be factored into the overall reimbursement calculation.
To illustrate, if the utility allowance for a two-bedroom apartment is $200, the landlord would receive an additional $200 per month for utilities, bringing the total reimbursement to $2144 ($1944 + $200).
However, it is important to note that the local market rent is currently unavailable. Therefore, the actual reimbursement gap or surplus cannot be precisely calculated without this information. Nonetheless, if the market rent were higher than the SAFMR, landlords might face a shortfall, whereas if the market rent were lower, landlords could see a surplus in their monthly income.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 18977 should expect to receive $2144 per month for a two-bedroom apartment, assuming a utility allowance of $200, when a tenant uses a Section 8 voucher. This figure represents the total reimbursement from both the tenant and the housing authority. The exact impact on a landlord's finances will depend on the local market rent rates.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). 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.