Location: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC | Metro: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area
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 | $1,760 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,840 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,030 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,590 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,050 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,538 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,963 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,280 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,494 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $2,030 | $423,358 | 0.48% | F |
| 3BR | $2,590 | $613,911 | 0.42% | F |
| 4BR | $3,050 | $770,313 | 0.4% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 20119, located in Catlett, Virginia, within Fauquier County, can be broken down into several key components. For fiscal year 2024, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code is set at $1740. This figure represents the maximum amount that the government will pay towards a tenant's rent under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
The local market rent for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 20119, according to Census ACS data, is $1747. This means that landlords in this area are already quite close to the SAFMR rate when setting their rental prices. However, it's important to understand that the actual payment received by landlords involves more than just the SAFMR rate.
A landlord should know that the total reimbursement from a voucher includes both the tenant's portion of the rent and any utility allowances. Typically, tenants are responsible for paying approximately 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. If we assume an average adjusted income of $1500 per month, the tenant would contribute around $450 towards rent. The remaining balance up to the SAFMR rate would be covered by the government.
In addition to the rent reimbursement, there are utility allowances. These vary but generally range between $200 and $400 per month depending on the type of utilities included. Let's say the utility allowance is $300, bringing the total reimbursement close to the SAFMR rate of $1740.
This means that if a landlord sets the rent at $1747, they would receive a reimbursement of $1740 from the voucher program, leaving a small shortfall of $7 per month. In this scenario, landlords should ensure that the tenant's portion of the rent plus the utility allowance does not exceed the SAFMR rate, otherwise, they risk not receiving the full reimbursement.
In summary, for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 20119, the typical reimbursement gap or surplus is a minor deficit of $7. Landlords should carefully consider these factors to ensure they are maximizing their financial benefits while complying with the Section 8 guidelines.
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.