Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 26330 - 2027

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Housing Authorities Serving ZIP 26330

• Clarksburg/Harrison Housing Authority (Clarksburg, WV) - 632 Section 8 vouchers
• Housing Authority of the City of Grafton (Grafton, WV)

To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 26330 (Bridgeport, WV) for Section 8 investments, follow this decision tree:

• Does FMR $1,180 (metro FY 2026) clear debt service on a $304,021 property?
  • Yes: The Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,180 is sufficient to cover the debt service on a property valued at $304,021. This indicates that Section 8 payments can support the mortgage and other costs associated with the property.
  • No: The FMR of $1,180 does not clear the debt service on a $304,021 property. In this case, the property would not be financially viable solely based on Section 8 rents.
• Is market rent $1,521 (ZORI) above, at, or below FMR?
  • Above: The Zillow Observed Rental Index (ZORI) of $1,521 exceeds the FMR of $1,180. This suggests that there is potential for higher rental income from non-Section 8 tenants, making the area attractive for investment.
  • At: The ZORI of $1,521 is close to the FMR of $1,180. While the gap is not significant, it still provides a slight advantage over relying solely on Section 8 rents.
  • Below: If the market rent were below the FMR, it would indicate that even non-Section 8 tenants might struggle to pay the required rent, which could affect the overall attractiveness of the area.
• Are 24.1% renters + N/A-day DOM enough demand?
  • It Depends: With 24.1% of the population being renters, there is a notable demand for rental properties. However, the Days on Market (DOM) is listed as N/A, which means there is insufficient data to gauge how quickly properties are rented out. This lack of information makes it difficult to assess the speed and ease of finding tenants.

If the FMR of $1,180 clears the debt service on a $304,021 property and the ZORI of $1,521 is above the FMR, then the answer is yes. There is a strong likelihood that the property will be financially viable, especially if you can attract non-Section 8 tenants willing to pay market rates. Additionally, the 24.1% renter rate shows that there is a reasonable demand for rental housing.

However, if the FMR does not cover the debt service, the answer is no. The financial burden of owning a property valued at $304,021 cannot be sustained with Section 8 rents alone.

In cases where the FMR covers debt service but the market rent is at or near the FMR, the answer is it depends. The success of your investment hinges on factors such as tenant preferences and competition in the local rental market. The unknown DOM adds another layer of uncertainty, as it is crucial to know how quickly you can expect to fill vacancies.

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.