Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 44650 - 2027

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 44650, located in Canton-Massillon County, Ohio, hinge on the Specific Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) which is set at $910 for a two-bedroom apartment in fiscal year 2024. This SAFMR figure is crucial because it is the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher program will pay for rent in this specific ZIP code.

To understand how this impacts a landlord's income, consider the components of the voucher payment. The voucher pays the difference between the SAFMR and the tenant's portion of the rent, which is typically 30% of their household income. For example, if a tenant's monthly income is $1,500, they would be expected to contribute $450 towards rent ($1,500 * 0.3).

The remaining balance is covered by the voucher, up to the SAFMR limit. In this case, the voucher would cover $460 of the rent ($910 - $450), making the total rent $910. However, it's important to note that this calculation does not include utility allowances. Utility allowances vary but generally do not exceed $200 per month for a two-bedroom unit.

Landlords should also be aware that the SAFMR applies uniformly across this specific ZIP code, meaning that all landlords within ZIP 44650 must adhere to the same maximum rent subsidy rates. If a landlord charges more than $910 for a two-bedroom apartment, the voucher holder would have to pay the additional amount out of pocket, which can often be unaffordable for them.

In ZIP 44650, where the SAFMR for a two-bedroom apartment is $910, landlords can expect a reimbursement gap if the local market rent exceeds this amount. Given the lack of specific data on local market rents, it's prudent to assume that the SAFMR is lower than typical market rates, leading to a reimbursement gap for landlords. To calculate this gap, subtract the SAFMR plus any utility allowance from the actual market rent.

For instance, if the market rent for a two-bedroom in ZIP 44650 is $1,100, and the utility allowance is $200, the total payment from the voucher program would be $1,110 ($910 + $200). Since the actual rent is $1,100, there would be a surplus of $10 for the landlord. Conversely, if the market rent were higher, say $1,200, then the landlord would face a reimbursement gap of $90 ($1,200 - $1,110).

This reimbursement gap or surplus directly affects a landlord's decision to participate in the Section 8 program. Landlords must weigh the benefits of stable, government-backed rental income against the potential for receiving less than the market rate for their properties.

Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027).

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.