Location: Grayson County, KY | Metro: Bowling Green, KY HUD Metro FMR Area
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $810 |
| 1 Bedroom | $890 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,040 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,250 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,630 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,891 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,118 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,287 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,401 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-08-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,040 | $157,396 | 0.66% | D |
| 3BR | $1,250 | $228,021 | 0.55% | F |
| 4BR | $1,630 | $295,808 | 0.55% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 42210, which includes Brownsville, KY, and parts of Edmonson County, can be broken down into specific financial components. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code for fiscal year 2024 is set at $850. This figure represents the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher program will pay to cover the rent for a two-bedroom unit in this specific area.
In contrast, the local market rent for a two-bedroom unit, according to the Census ACS data, is $684. This indicates that the SAFMR is higher than the average market rent, which could benefit landlords who participate in the program.
A voucher holder is responsible for paying a portion of their income towards rent, typically 30%. If we assume an average income for a voucher recipient, let's say $1,000 per month, then the tenant would pay approximately $300 towards rent. The remainder of the rent is covered by the government up to the SAFMR limit. In this case, the government would pay the difference between the tenant's contribution and the SAFMR, which is $550.
Additionally, the voucher program provides utility allowances. For a two-bedroom apartment, this allowance averages around $200. This amount is also paid directly by the government to help cover the tenant's utilities.
Therefore, the total reimbursement a landlord can expect from the government for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 42210 is the sum of the rent subsidy and the utility allowance, which comes to $750. This is significantly higher than the local market rent of $684, indicating that landlords participating in the program could see a surplus of about $66 per month on average.
It's important to note that while the SAFMR is set for this specific ZIP code, it does not guarantee that all tenants will be able to afford the full SAFMR amount. Landlords must ensure that the rent they charge does not exceed the SAFMR, and that the tenant's portion plus the government subsidy equals the total rent. However, given the current SAFMR and market conditions, landlords in ZIP 42210 can anticipate a modest surplus when renting a two-bedroom apartment under the Section 8 program.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-08-31). 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.