Location: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC | Metro: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,180 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,280 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,520 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,210 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,780 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $4,385 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $4,911 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $5,304 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $5,569 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
In ZIP code 20880, the Section 8 economics operate under a specific framework that benefits both tenants and landlords. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code is set at $2080 for the fiscal year 2024. This SAFMR is a critical figure as it defines the maximum amount that a landlord can receive from the government through the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly known as Section 8.
The SAFMR does not directly represent the local market rent, which is currently not available for this ZIP code. However, the SAFMR serves as a benchmark for the rental assistance provided to low-income families. When a tenant uses a Section 8 voucher, they are required to pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. This amount is then supplemented by the government to cover the remainder up to the SAFMR limit of $2080.
To illustrate, if a tenant's monthly adjusted income is $1500, they would pay 30% of this, which amounts to $450. The government would then reimburse the landlord the difference between the tenant’s contribution and the SAFMR. In this case, the government would pay $1630 ($2080 - $450). It's important to note that this calculation assumes the landlord has agreed to a rental price that does not exceed the SAFMR. If the landlord charges more than $2080, the excess amount must be paid entirely by the tenant, making it less attractive for them.
Beyond the base rent, there are utility allowances that are also factored into the total compensation. These allowances vary based on the number of bedrooms but are typically lower than the actual costs incurred by the tenant. For a two-bedroom unit, the utility allowance is generally around $200 per month. This means the landlord will receive an additional $200 for utilities, bringing the total reimbursement to $1830 in our example scenario.
Landlords should be aware that the reimbursement rate is not guaranteed to fully cover the market rent, especially if the local market rates are higher than the SAFMR. This could result in a reimbursement gap where the landlord receives less than the market value. Conversely, if the local market rent is below the SAFMR, landlords might see a surplus, receiving more than they would in a non-voucher situation.
In ZIP 20880, the typical reimbursement gap or surplus for a two-bedroom apartment is determined by comparing the SAFMR of $2080 to the actual market rent. Since the local market rent is not specified, it's impossible to provide a precise gap or surplus figure. However, landlords can use the SAFMR as a guideline to understand the potential financial impact of accepting Section 8 vouchers in their rental properties.
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.