Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 26684 - 2027

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 26684 for Section 8 investment, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR): The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for the metro area in fiscal year 2026 is $870. This figure must be sufficient to cover the debt service on any property you consider. Since the data does not provide a specific property cost or debt service amount, you cannot definitively answer whether the FMR clears debt service. However, if your debt service per unit is less than $870, then the answer is yes.
• Step 2: Market Rent Comparison: The data indicates that the market rent is N/A, which means we do not have a specific comparison point between market rent and FMR. Without this information, you cannot assess whether the market rent is above, at, or below the FMR. If you find that the market rent is significantly higher than $870, then investing in Section 8 properties might not be as financially beneficial compared to renting at market rates.
• Step 3: Demand Assessment: Only 0.0% of the residents are renters, and the data does not specify the number of days on the market (DOM) for available rental units. With such a low percentage of renters, there is likely insufficient demand for rental properties, including those that could potentially participate in the Section 8 program. If the DOM is high, it further suggests a lack of demand. Therefore, based on the available data, the answer is no; there is not enough demand to justify purchasing a property for Section 8 investment in this ZIP code.

The decision tree for ZIP 26684 clearly shows that the primary issue is the lack of demand for rental properties. Even if the FMR were to cover your debt service adequately, the low percentage of renters indicates that finding tenants willing to participate in the Section 8 program would be challenging. Additionally, without knowing the market rent, you cannot fully evaluate the financial viability of such an investment. In conclusion, unless you can secure additional data indicating a significant change in the local rental market, purchasing for Section 8 in ZIP 26684 is not recommended.

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.