Location: Harrison County, WV | Metro: Harrison County, WV
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $770 |
| 1 Bedroom | $890 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,330 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,540 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,786 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,000 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,160 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,268 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 26438 are straightforward but require careful consideration. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code for fiscal year 2026 is set at $1,060. This figure represents the maximum amount that a landlord can expect to receive from the housing authority for a two-bedroom unit under the Section 8 program.
To understand how much a landlord will actually receive, it's important to break down the components of a Section 8 voucher. The total rent is split between the tenant and the housing authority. The tenant is responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted income towards rent, while the housing authority covers the difference up to the SAFMR limit.
In addition to the base rent, there are utility allowances that must be considered. These allowances vary based on the type of unit and location, but they do not increase the overall reimbursement to the landlord beyond the SAFMR cap. For ZIP 26438, the utility allowance does not alter the $1,060 reimbursement ceiling.
Note that the SAFMR is specifically tailored for this ZIP code, meaning it reflects the local rental market conditions more accurately than a broader metro or county-level FMR might. However, the local market rent for ZIP 26438 is currently unavailable, which makes direct comparisons challenging.
The typical reimbursement gap or surplus for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 26438 can be calculated by subtracting the SAFMR from the market rent. Since the local market rent is not available, we cannot provide a precise gap or surplus figure. Nonetheless, if the market rent were higher than $1,060, landlords would face a reimbursement gap, meaning they would not be fully compensated for the market rent. Conversely, if the market rent is lower than $1,060, landlords would benefit from a surplus, receiving more than the market rent through the Section 8 program.
To summarize, landlords in ZIP 26438 should anticipate a fixed reimbursement rate of $1,060 for two-bedroom apartments under the Section 8 program. This amount includes the tenant's payment and the housing authority's contribution, but does not exceed the SAFMR regardless of the tenant's income or utility usage.
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.