Location: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC | Metro: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,300 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,400 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,650 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $3,380 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,980 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $4,617 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $5,171 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $5,585 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $5,864 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in Falls Church, Virginia (ZIP 22042) are straightforward when analyzed against the local rental market. For a two-bedroom apartment, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) set specifically for this ZIP code is $2,140 per month for fiscal year 2024. This is lower than the local market rent, which stands at $2,515 according to ZORI (Zillow Observed Rent Index).
A landlord participating in the Section 8 program receives payments from the government on behalf of tenants who use housing vouchers. The payment covers the difference between the tenant's portion and the SAFMR. Tenants typically contribute 30% of their adjusted income toward rent. If we assume an average adjusted income of $1,500 for a tenant, their contribution would be $450. The government then pays the remaining amount up to the SAFMR.
In addition to the base rent, there are utility allowances. These vary but can be estimated around $200 for a two-bedroom unit. Therefore, the total reimbursement a landlord might receive is the sum of the tenant's contribution and the government's subsidy, plus the utility allowance.
To illustrate, if a tenant contributes $450 and the government pays the difference to reach the SAFMR of $2,140, the landlord would receive $2,140 minus the tenant's $450, totaling $1,690 for rent. Adding the utility allowance of $200 brings the total reimbursement to $1,890 per month.
This means there is a reimbursement gap of $625 per month ($2,515 - $1,890) for landlords renting a two-bedroom apartment at the local market rate. Conversely, if landlords set their rent closer to the SAFMR, they would have a smaller gap or potentially no gap at all.
In summary, landlords in Falls Church, VA, should understand that the SAFMR of $2,140 for a two-bedroom unit is the maximum rent that will be subsidized by the government under the Section 8 program. Given the local market rent of $2,515, there is a significant reimbursement gap that landlords must consider when deciding whether to participate in the 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.