Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 36351 - 2027

Location: Coffee County, AL | Metro: Coffee County, AL

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Unit Size	Monthly FMR
Studio	$700
1 Bedroom	$700
2 Bedrooms	$920
3 Bedrooms	$1,280
4 Bedrooms	$1,340
5 Bedrooms	$1,554
6 Bedrooms	$1,740
7 Bedrooms	$1,879
8 Bedrooms	$1,973

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

4,029

Median Household Income

$69,583

Housing Units

1,862

Renter Percentage

15.4%

Occupancy Rate

86.6%

Renter Occupied

248

The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 36351 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Section 8 Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $780 per month for FY 2026. This figure is specifically tailored for this ZIP code, reflecting the local rental market conditions.

In contrast, the local market rent for a similar two-bedroom unit, according to the Census ACS (American Community Survey), averages $669 per month. This difference highlights the subsidy provided by the government to make housing affordable for low-income tenants.

When a tenant uses a Section 8 voucher, the payment structure works as follows:

The tenant is responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted income towards rent.
The government then covers the remaining portion up to the SAFMR limit of $780.
Additionally, utility allowances are included in the reimbursement. These allowances vary but typically cover a significant part of the tenant's energy costs.

To illustrate, if a tenant's monthly adjusted income is $1,000, they would pay $300 towards rent. The government would then reimburse the landlord up to $780, minus the tenant's contribution and any utility allowances. If the utility allowance is $100, the total reimbursement would be $780 - $300 (tenant contribution) - $100 (utility allowance) = $380. Thus, the landlord receives a total of $380 from the government plus the $300 from the tenant, totaling $680.

This example shows a slight surplus for the landlord, given the local market rent is $669. However, the exact surplus or gap will depend on the individual tenant's income and the specific utility allowance applied. In ZIP 36351, landlords can expect a modest surplus when renting a two-bedroom apartment to a Section 8 tenant, as the SAFMR exceeds the average 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.