Location: Keith County, NE | Metro: Arthur County, NE
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $740 |
| 1 Bedroom | $800 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,030 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,250 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,400 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,624 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,819 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,965 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,063 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
To understand the economics of Section 8 in ZIP 69146, it's essential to know the Specific Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $960 for the fiscal year 2026. This SAFMR figure is specifically tailored for this ZIP code, reflecting local housing conditions and costs.
The SAFMR serves as the ceiling for what a landlord can charge a Section 8 tenant for rent. However, the actual amount paid by the program includes the tenant's portion of the rent plus any utility allowances. Typically, the tenant is responsible for paying approximately 30% of their income toward rent, which is then supplemented by the Housing Choice Voucher Program to cover the remainder up to the SAFMR limit.
Utility allowances vary based on the size of the unit and the region. For ZIP 69146, the allowance would be calculated according to the average cost of utilities in the area. Let's assume the average utility allowance for a two-bedroom unit is around $200 per month. This means the total reimbursement to the landlord would be the tenant's portion of the rent plus the $200 utility allowance, capped at the $960 SAFMR.
If a tenant's income is such that they can afford to pay $360 towards rent (which is 30% of an assumed $1,200 monthly income), the voucher program would cover the remaining $600 of the rent, along with the $200 utility allowance. Thus, the landlord would receive $800 in total reimbursement for the unit, consisting of $600 from the voucher program and $200 from the utility allowance.
This leaves a gap between the market rent and the reimbursement rate. Since the local market rent data is currently unavailable, we can only calculate the reimbursement gap using the SAFMR and the assumed tenant contribution. In this case, the reimbursement gap is $160 per month ($960 SAFMR - $800 reimbursement).
In summary, landlords in ZIP 69146 who accept Section 8 vouchers for a two-bedroom apartment should expect a reimbursement of $800 per month, given the assumptions made above. This results in a shortfall of $160 compared to the SAFMR of $960. It's important to note that the actual tenant contribution can vary depending on their income level, but the overall reimbursement structure remains consistent with these principles.
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.