Location: Benson County, ND | Metro: Benson County, ND
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,130 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,140 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,340 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,860 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,240 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,598 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,910 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,143 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,300 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
In ZIP code 58379, the economics of Section 8 housing can be quite straightforward when understood correctly. The SAFMR (Standard Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP is set at $1,110 per month for fiscal year 2026. However, it's important to note that the local market rent, according to the latest Census ACS data, is significantly lower at $833 per month.
The SAFMR of $1,110 is the maximum amount that a Section 8 voucher will cover for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 58379. This figure includes both the rental payment and a utility allowance. The tenant is responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted income toward the rent, which is then supplemented by the voucher to meet the total rent.
To illustrate, if a tenant has an adjusted income of $1,000 per month, they would pay 30% of that towards rent, which comes out to $300. The voucher would then cover the remaining $810 of the SAFMR, making the total reimbursement to the landlord $1,110. However, if the local market rent is only $833, the landlord would receive less from the voucher program because the reimbursement cannot exceed the actual rent charged.
In practice, this means that for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 58379, the landlord should expect the following:
Given these factors, landlords might find themselves in a situation where the total reimbursement from the voucher program is less than the SAFMR. In ZIP 58379, where the local market rent is $833, the typical reimbursement gap for a two-bedroom unit would be around $277 per month. This gap represents the difference between the SAFMR and the local market rent, meaning landlords could potentially earn less than the SAFMR when renting to Section 8 tenants.
In summary, while the SAFMR sets the maximum reimbursement at $1,110, the actual amount received by landlords in ZIP 58379 will likely be closer to the local market rent of $833, creating a reimbursement gap of approximately $277 per month. This economic reality must be considered when deciding whether to participate in the Section 8 program.
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.