Location: Stark County, ND | Metro: Dunn County, ND
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,040 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,040 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,230 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,700 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,040 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,366 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,650 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,862 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,005 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 58656 are defined by the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment, which is set at $1,060 per month for fiscal year 2026. This figure is specifically tailored for this ZIP code, reflecting the local housing market conditions more accurately than a broader metro or county-level FMR would.
To understand how this affects landlords, it's important to break down the components of a Section 8 voucher payment. The voucher holder is responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted monthly income towards rent. The remainder of the rent, up to the SAFMR limit, is covered by the housing authority. For instance, if a tenant has an adjusted monthly income of $1,500, they would pay $450 toward rent ($1,500 x 0.30).
The housing authority then pays the difference between the tenant's contribution and the SAFMR, which in this case is $610 ($1,060 - $450). However, there are additional considerations such as utility allowances. These allowances vary but typically add around $100 to $200 to the total reimbursement, depending on the type of utilities included in the lease agreement.
In ZIP 58656, landlords can expect the total reimbursement from the housing authority to be around $710 to $810, assuming a standard utility allowance. This amount is fixed and does not fluctuate based on the local market rent, which is currently not available for this specific ZIP code.
Given these figures, landlords must evaluate whether the SAFMR of $1,060 covers their costs adequately. If your expenses exceed this amount, you will face a reimbursement gap. Conversely, if your expenses are lower, you might see a surplus. To illustrate, if your actual cost to rent a two-bedroom unit is $900, you will have a surplus of $160 per month ($1,060 - $900), assuming the tenant's income allows the full SAFMR to be utilized.
However, if your rental cost is higher, say $1,200, you will have a reimbursement gap of $140 per month ($1,200 - $1,060). This gap must be absorbed by the landlord, as the housing authority will only reimburse up to the SAFMR.
In summary, for ZIP 58656, the SAFMR for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,060. Landlords should expect the housing authority to cover approximately $710 to $810 of this amount, once the tenant's portion and utility allowances are accounted for. The typical reimbursement gap or surplus depends on your specific rental costs, but using the provided figures, it ranges from a surplus of $160 to a gap of $140 per month.
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.