Location: Escambia County, AL | Metro: Escambia County, AL
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $720 |
| 1 Bedroom | $750 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $920 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,130 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,520 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,763 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,975 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,133 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,240 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To understand how Section 8 economics work in ZIP 36543, it's essential to know the specific financial parameters involved. For a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code, the SAFMR (Section 8 Area Fair Market Rent) for fiscal year 2026 is set at $780. This figure represents the maximum amount that the housing authority will pay on behalf of a tenant receiving rental assistance.
The SAFMR does not take into account the local market rent, which is currently unavailable for ZIP 36543. This discrepancy can be significant, as the market rent might be higher or lower than the SAFMR. However, for the purposes of this analysis, we'll focus on the SAFMR and the typical payment structure under a Section 8 voucher program.
A landlord should be aware that the total rent received from a tenant with a Section 8 voucher consists of two parts: the tenant's contribution and the housing authority's subsidy. The tenant's portion is generally 30% of their adjusted income, which varies based on individual circumstances. For simplicity, let's assume an average tenant contribution of $234 towards a $780 SAFMR. This leaves $546 as the potential subsidy from the housing authority.
In addition to the base rent, there are utility allowances. These vary but are typically around $150 per month for a two-bedroom unit. Therefore, if a landlord charges a combined rent and utilities amount of $930 ($780 for rent and $150 for utilities), they would receive $780 from the housing authority and $150 from the tenant, covering the utilities allowance.
The actual reimbursement gap or surplus depends on the local market conditions. If the market rent exceeds the SAFMR plus utility allowances, landlords may face a shortfall. Conversely, if the market rent is below these levels, landlords could see a surplus. Given the SAFMR of $780 and assuming a utility allowance of $150, landlords would need to compare this $930 total against the prevailing market rates in ZIP 36543 to determine if they have a surplus or a gap.
For example, if the market rent for a similar two-bedroom property is $1,000, the landlord would have a reimbursement gap of $70 per month, needing to find ways to cover this difference. On the other hand, if the market rent is $800, the landlord would have a surplus of $130, which is less common but possible depending on the local rental dynamics.
Landlords must carefully consider these factors when deciding whether to accept Section 8 vouchers for their properties in ZIP 36543. The key is to balance the guaranteed rent payments from the housing authority with the realities of the local rental market.
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.