Location: Thurston County, NE | Metro: Thurston County, NE
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $980 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,020 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,110 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,590 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,844 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,065 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,230 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,342 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 68039 are defined by the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment, which is set at $1,030 per month for fiscal year 2026. This figure is specific to this ZIP code, reflecting localized housing costs. However, it's important to understand how this SAFMR translates into actual rental income for landlords.
Local market rents, according to the Census ACS data, are significantly lower at $666 per month for a two-bedroom unit. When a landlord participates in the Section 8 program, they agree to accept a voucher from the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which covers most of the rent but not all. The voucher amount is calculated based on the SAFMR minus the tenant's portion, typically 30% of their income, plus utility allowances.
To illustrate, if a tenant's portion is $300 (based on 30% of their income), and the utility allowance is $100, the total reimbursement from the voucher would be:
$1,030 (SAFMR) - $300 (tenant's portion) + $100 (utility allowance) = $830.
This means the landlord receives $830 from the voucher, plus the tenant's $300 contribution, totaling $1,130. However, since the local market rent is only $666, the landlord effectively receives a surplus of $464 per month over what the market would normally bear. This surplus can be seen as an incentive for landlords to participate in the program, despite the administrative overhead.
The SAFMR in ZIP 68039 is higher than the local market rent, creating a situation where landlords can charge more than the typical market rate without losing tenants due to the voucher subsidy. This economic dynamic ensures that landlords receive a stable and often above-market rent, while tenants benefit from affordable housing options.
In summary, for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 68039, the typical voucher reimbursement gap results in a surplus of $464 per month, making participation in Section 8 financially beneficial for landlords when compared to the local market rent.
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.