Location: Gallia County, OH | Metro: Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH 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 | $830 |
| 1 Bedroom | $890 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,020 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,320 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,550 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,798 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,014 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,175 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,284 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,320 | $220,435 | 0.6% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
A decision tree for whether to buy in ZIP 45678 for Section 8 purposes hinges on three key factors: Fair Market Rent (FMR), market rent comparison, and rental demand.
1) Does FMR of $970 cover the debt service on a $145,982 property?
Yes: The FMR of $970 must be sufficient to cover the mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and other costs associated with owning a property valued at $145,982. This means that the total monthly debt service must be less than or equal to $970. If it is, then you can proceed to the next step.
No: If the FMR does not cover the debt service, purchasing in this ZIP code is not advisable under the Section 8 program as it would result in financial losses.
2) Is the market rent above, at, or below the FMR?
Above: If the market rent is higher than the FMR of $970, then landlords might face challenges in finding tenants willing to pay the lower Section 8 rates. This could lead to prolonged vacancies and reduced profitability.
At: If the market rent is around $970, the FMR aligns closely with what tenants are willing to pay. This scenario supports stable occupancy rates and ensures that the landlord's income covers the necessary expenses without significant loss.
Below: If the market rent is below the FMR, it indicates that the Section 8 program offers a higher rate than what the market demands. This could attract more tenants and reduce vacancy risks, making it a favorable option for landlords.
3) Are 17.1% of the residents renters and is the Days on Market (DOM) N/A indicative of sufficient demand?
Yes: With 17.1% of residents being renters, there is a notable demand for rental properties. However, the lack of data on Days on Market (DOM) makes it challenging to assess how quickly properties are rented out. Assuming a low DOM, which typically indicates strong demand, landlords can expect good occupancy rates.
No: If the percentage of renters is significantly lower or if the DOM is high, indicating slow turnover, then the demand for rental properties is weak. In such a case, landlords might struggle to find tenants, even with Section 8 vouchers.
It Depends: Given that the DOM is not available, the decision will depend on additional local market research. A detailed analysis of recent rental trends, vacancy rates, and tenant preferences will provide clearer insights into whether the demand is robust enough to support a Section 8 investment.
In conclusion, the viability of buying in ZIP 45678 for Section 8 purposes relies on the alignment between FMR and debt service, market rent levels relative to FMR, and the strength of rental demand. Landlords should carefully evaluate these factors before proceeding with any investment.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). 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.