Location: Webster Parish, LA | Metro: Bienville Parish, LA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $780 |
| 1 Bedroom | $850 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,110 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,460 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,580 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,833 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,053 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,217 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,328 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The Section 8 housing program in ZIP code 71039 operates under specific economic guidelines that affect both landlords and tenants. For a two-bedroom apartment, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) is set at $1,040 per month for fiscal year 2026. This figure represents the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher Program will pay to cover the rent for a unit of this size in this specific ZIP code.
However, the local market rent for a similar two-bedroom property is currently running at $915 per month according to Census ACS data. This discrepancy between the SAFMR and the local market rent can be advantageous for landlords who wish to participate in the Section 8 program.
When a tenant uses a Section 8 voucher, they are responsible for paying a portion of the rent themselves, typically around 30% of their income. The remainder is covered by the voucher, up to the SAFMR limit. In ZIP 71039, if we assume the tenant's share is $275 based on average incomes, the government would then pay the difference between this amount and the SAFMR.
In this case, the government would reimburse the landlord with $765 ($1,040 - $275) per month. However, since the local market rent is only $915, the total reimbursement would be $915. This leaves a surplus of $125 for the landlord beyond the local market rent, making participation in the Section 8 program financially viable.
To summarize, a landlord in ZIP 71039 receiving a Section 8 voucher for a two-bedroom apartment would have a tenant paying $275, with the government covering the remaining $915 of the local market rent. This results in the landlord being paid the full local market rate, plus an additional $125, effectively closing the reimbursement gap and providing a slight surplus.
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.