Location: Mingo County, WV | Metro: Mingo County, WV
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $710 |
| 1 Bedroom | $730 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $940 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,120 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,370 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,589 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,780 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,922 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,018 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 25696 are straightforward. For a two-bedroom apartment, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) is set at $900 per month for fiscal year 2026. This figure is specific to this ZIP code, reflecting the localized rental costs.
In comparison, the local market rent for a similar unit averages at $826 per month, according to the Census ACS data. This indicates that the SAFMR slightly exceeds the average market rent, which can be advantageous for landlords participating in the program.
A landlord should understand that a voucher does not cover the entire rent amount. The tenant is required to pay a portion of the rent, typically 30% of their adjusted income, and there are utility allowances to consider. For instance, if a tenant's income is such that they must contribute $270 towards the rent, the remaining $630 would come from the Section 8 voucher.
The utility allowance varies but is generally around $100-$150 per month. If we take an average utility allowance of $125, then the total reimbursement a landlord might expect would be around $755 per month for a two-bedroom unit at the market rate of $826.
This means that landlords in ZIP 25696 participating in the Section 8 program could see a slight surplus on their rental income. Specifically, for a two-bedroom apartment priced at the market rate of $826, the reimbursement gap would be a surplus of $71 per month.
To summarize, landlords in ZIP 25696 who rent out a two-bedroom apartment for $826 can expect a combination of the tenant’s contribution and the utility allowance to cover approximately $755 of the rent, leaving them with a surplus of $71. This surplus is a positive aspect of the program in this particular ZIP code, where the SAFMR is higher than the local market rent.
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.