Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 44619 - 2027

Location: Columbiana County, OH | Metro: Youngstown-Warren, OH MSA

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Unit Size	Monthly FMR
Studio	$780
1 Bedroom	$800
2 Bedrooms	$1,000
3 Bedrooms	$1,290
4 Bedrooms	$1,330
5 Bedrooms	$1,543
6 Bedrooms	$1,728
7 Bedrooms	$1,866
8 Bedrooms	$1,959

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

299

Median Household Income

$N/A

Housing Units

130

Renter Percentage

29.2%

Occupancy Rate

100.0%

Renter Occupied

To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 44619 for Section 8 investments, follow these decision points:

Does FMR ($860) clear debt service on a property?
- If yes: Proceed to the next question.
- If no: Do not invest in this area. The Fair Market Rent (FMR) is insufficient to cover your mortgage payments and other expenses.
Is market rent above, at, or below FMR?
- If above: This indicates that properties can command higher rents than the FMR. However, continue to the next question to assess demand.
- If at or below: This suggests that market conditions align closely with FMR levels. Continue to the next question to evaluate the demand for rental properties.
Are 29.2% renters and N/A-day DOM enough demand?
- If yes: The percentage of renters in the area is significant, and the days on market (DOM) indicate strong demand. You can confidently invest in this ZIP code for Section 8 properties.
- If no: The demand for rental properties is weak, indicated by either a low percentage of renters or high DOM. This makes it less attractive for Section 8 investments.

The Fair Market Rent for ZIP 44619 in fiscal year 2024 is set at $860. This figure must be sufficient to cover the total debt service, including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. If your analysis shows that this amount does not clear debt service, purchasing in this ZIP code would not be financially viable.

If the FMR does clear debt service, consider the market rent. If the market rent is above $860, there's an opportunity to potentially earn more than the FMR, which could be advantageous. However, if the market rent is at or below the FMR, it means that the typical rent you can charge will match or be slightly lower than the FMR, which is still acceptable if the demand is robust.

The demand for rental properties is assessed by the percentage of renters and the DOM. With 29.2% of residents renting, there is a notable portion of the population seeking rental housing. However, without specific DOM data, it's challenging to provide a definitive recommendation. Generally, a lower DOM indicates higher demand and faster turnover, which is beneficial for landlords.

In conclusion, for ZIP 44619, the decision to invest in Section 8 properties hinges on whether the FMR clears debt service and the balance between market rent and the percentage of renters. If both conditions are met, the investment is likely to be successful. Otherwise, look for areas where these factors align more favorably.

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.