Location: Seward County, NE | Metro: Seward County, NE HUD Metro FMR Area
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $790 |
| 1 Bedroom | $800 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,410 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,670 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,937 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,169 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,343 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,460 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 68439 are defined by the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) set specifically for this ZIP. For a two-bedroom apartment, the SAFMR is $870 per month for fiscal year 2024. This figure represents the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher program will pay to landlords in this area.
Local market rent, as reported by the Census ACS, is lower at $688 per month for a similar unit. This means that landlords participating in Section 8 can expect their reimbursement rates to be higher than the average market rate, which benefits them financially.
A voucher payment consists of two parts: the tenant's contribution and the utility allowance. Tenants are generally required to pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. If we assume an average household income eligible for Section 8 assistance, the tenant's portion would be calculated as follows:
If a tenant has an adjusted income of $1,000 per month, they would contribute $300 (30%) towards the rent. The remaining balance, up to the SAFMR of $870, would be covered by the voucher program. In addition to the base rent, there is also a utility allowance. This allowance varies but typically ranges from $100 to $200 per month depending on the region and type of utilities.
Let's use a utility allowance of $150 for simplicity. Therefore, the total reimbursement a landlord might receive for a two-bedroom apartment would be the tenant's contribution plus the voucher program's payment, plus the utility allowance. Using the example above, if the tenant contributes $300 and the voucher program pays $570 to reach the SAFMR of $870, the landlord receives $870 in rent plus $150 in utilities, totaling $1,020 per month.
This total reimbursement of $1,020 exceeds the local market rent of $688 by $332. This surplus is a significant advantage for landlords in ZIP 68439, ensuring they receive a higher rent than the average market rate while still maintaining affordability for low-income tenants.
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.