Location: Sumter County, AL | Metro: Sumter County, AL
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $770 |
| 1 Bedroom | $850 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $990 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,370 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,470 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,705 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,910 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,063 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,166 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 35470 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $900 per month for FY 2026. However, the local market rent as reported by the Census ACS is significantly lower at $645 per month. This discrepancy is important to understand when considering how much a landlord can expect to receive from a voucher.
A Section 8 voucher covers the difference between 30% of the tenant's income and the SAFMR. For instance, if a tenant has an income of $2,000 per month, they would pay 30% of that, which is $600. The voucher would then cover the remaining amount up to the SAFMR of $900. This means the voucher would pay $300 towards the rent. Additionally, there are utility allowances which vary but typically add another $150 to $200 to the monthly payment.
In ZIP 35470, the SAFMR applies specifically to this ZIP code, ensuring that the $900 rate is the benchmark for rental subsidies here. Given the local market rent is $645, landlords will often find themselves with a surplus rather than a shortfall when renting to tenants with vouchers. To illustrate, if a landlord sets the rent at the local market price of $645, and the voucher covers $300 plus a utility allowance of $150, the total reimbursement would be $450. Thus, the landlord would receive the tenant's contribution of $600 plus the $450 from the voucher, totaling $1,050.
This results in a surplus for the landlord, as the total reimbursement exceeds the local market rent by $405. In summary, for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 35470, landlords can expect a reimbursement gap or surplus of $405 per month based on the current SAFMR and market rent figures.
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.