Location: Coffey County, KS | Metro: Coffey County, KS
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 | $740 |
| 1 Bedroom | $760 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,000 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,190 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,480 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,717 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,923 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,077 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,181 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $1,000 | $122,765 | 0.81% | C |
| 3BR | $1,190 | $208,443 | 0.57% | F |
| 4BR | $1,480 | $244,395 | 0.61% | D |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP 66839, located in Coffey County, Kansas, can be dissected into several key components. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code for fiscal year 2026 is set at $880. This figure represents the maximum amount that the housing authority will pay to landlords participating in the Section 8 program for a unit of this size.
In contrast, the local market rent for a similar two-bedroom unit, according to the Census ACS, averages around $876. This indicates that the SAFMR is slightly above the average market rent, which could be beneficial for landlords. However, the actual reimbursement received by landlords depends on the tenant's portion of the rent and any applicable utility allowances.
A voucher payment under Section 8 is structured so that the government pays the difference between the tenant's contribution and the SAFMR. The tenant is typically required to pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. For example, if a tenant's adjusted income is $1,000 per month, they would contribute $300 towards rent. The remaining amount up to the SAFMR would then be covered by the housing authority. In ZIP 66839, this means the government would pay the rest of the $880, which is $580 in this scenario.
Utility allowances are also factored into the overall compensation. These allowances vary but are designed to help cover the cost of utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and sewer. If a landlord includes utilities in the rent, these allowances can increase the total reimbursement. However, if the tenant pays utilities separately, the allowance is given directly to the tenant.
Given the SAFMR of $880 and the local market rent of $876, landlords in ZIP 66839 can expect a slight surplus when renting to Section 8 tenants. This surplus is due to the SAFMR being marginally higher than the local market rent, making it more favorable for landlords who might otherwise charge less than the SAFMR. However, the actual surplus or gap will depend on the specific circumstances of each tenant's income and the utility arrangement.
To summarize, the typical reimbursement for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 66839 will be close to the $880 SAFMR, with a minor surplus over the local market rent of $876. Landlords should carefully consider the tenant's income and utility costs to maximize their financial benefit while ensuring compliance with the program requirements.
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.