Location: McDowell County, WV | Metro: McDowell County, WV
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $710 |
| 1 Bedroom | $720 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $940 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,250 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,250 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,624 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,754 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,842 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 24871 are defined by the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) which is set specifically for this ZIP code. For a two-bedroom apartment in FY 2026, the SAFMR is $870. This figure represents the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher program will pay towards the rent of a unit in this area.
To understand how this impacts a landlord, it's important to break down the components of a Section 8 voucher payment. The voucher payment consists of two parts: the tenant contribution and the utility allowance. Tenants are required to contribute 30% of their adjusted income towards the rent. If the tenant's portion plus the utility allowance does not meet the SAFMR of $870, the difference is made up by the government. However, if the total exceeds $870, the landlord must accept the SAFMR as the maximum rent.
The SAFMR of $870 is the cap for reimbursement, regardless of the actual market rent. Since the local market rent is not available, we cannot compare it directly to the SAFMR. But, assuming the market rent is higher than $870, landlords would experience a reimbursement gap. This gap is the difference between the market rent and the $870 reimbursement limit. Conversely, if the market rent is lower than $870, landlords would receive the full market rent plus any utility allowances, resulting in a surplus.
To illustrate, let's assume a tenant's adjusted income is $1,000 per month. Their contribution towards the rent would be $300 (30% of $1,000). If the utility allowance is $100, the total voucher payment would be $400 ($300 tenant contribution + $100 utilities). In this case, the government would cover the remaining $470 to reach the SAFMR of $870. This means the landlord receives the full $870, even though the tenant only contributes $300.
In ZIP 24871, landlords should prepare for a potential reimbursement gap if the market rent exceeds $870. The exact size of this gap depends on the actual market rent and the tenant's contribution. To maximize income, landlords might consider lowering their rent to align closely with the SAFMR, thereby minimizing the gap and ensuring they receive the highest possible reimbursement from the voucher program.
Given the SAFMR of $870, landlords can expect a reimbursement that matches this figure once all components are factored in. The absence of local market rent data prevents a direct comparison, but the principle remains: the reimbursement will not exceed $870 for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 24871 during FY 2026.
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.