Location: Caroline County, MD | Metro: Caroline County, MD
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,400 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,410 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,850 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,280 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,070 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,561 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,988 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $4,307 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $4,522 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
In ZIP code 21636, the economics of Section 8 housing can be broken down using the specific figures available. The SAFMR (Section 8 Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code is set at $1,530 per month for fiscal year 2026. This is slightly below the local market rent, which stands at $1,655 according to Census ACS data.
A landlord participating in the Section 8 program receives a subsidy based on the SAFMR, but the actual reimbursement depends on several factors. Firstly, the tenant is responsible for paying a portion of the rent, typically around 30% of their income. Secondly, utility allowances are considered, which vary depending on the location and the type of unit. For ZIP 21636, the utility allowance for a two-bedroom apartment is $300 per month.
To illustrate, if a tenant's portion of the rent is $400, and the utility allowance is $300, the total reimbursement to the landlord would be calculated as follows:
The SAFMR of $1,530 includes both the rent and the utility allowance. Thus, the actual rent reimbursement from the housing authority would be $1,530 minus the utility allowance of $300, equaling $1,230. Adding the tenant’s payment of $400 brings the total to $1,630. This amount is still below the local market rent of $1,655 by $25.
The typical reimbursement gap for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 21636 is therefore a $25 shortfall compared to the local market rent. This means landlords might receive slightly less than they could from a non-voucher tenant, but it also provides stability and guaranteed payments through the government subsidy program.
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.