Location: Desha County, AR | Metro: Desha County, AR
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $650 |
| 1 Bedroom | $700 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $910 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,220 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,340 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,554 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,740 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,879 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,973 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 71630 operate under specific financial guidelines that affect both landlords and tenants. For a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for fiscal year 2026 is set at $880. This figure represents the maximum amount that the housing authority will pay towards rent for a unit of this size. However, it's important to understand how this payment is structured.
The local market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 71630 is reported at $625, according to the Census ACS (American Community Survey) data. This lower figure can be misleading when considering the actual income from Section 8 vouchers. The SAFMR of $880 is the benchmark used to determine the subsidy amount.
A Section 8 voucher covers the difference between what a tenant can afford and the rent of the unit. Typically, the tenant is responsible for paying 30% of their adjusted income toward rent. If we assume an average adjusted income for a tenant eligible for Section 8, they might pay around $264 towards rent, which is 30% of a typical income level in the area. The remainder of the rent, up to the SAFMR of $880, would be subsidized by the housing authority.
In addition to the base rent subsidy, there are utility allowances that vary based on the size of the unit and location. For a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 71630, the utility allowance is typically around $100 per month. This allowance is also paid by the housing authority directly to the landlord.
Therefore, the total reimbursement a landlord can expect from a Section 8 voucher for a two-bedroom apartment would be the sum of the tenant's contribution and the utility allowance, plus the subsidy for the base rent. In this case, the landlord would receive the tenant's $264, the utility allowance of $100, and the remaining balance to reach the SAFMR of $880. This means the landlord would receive a total of $880 per month for a two-bedroom apartment, assuming the tenant's share and utility allowance together do not exceed the SAFMR.
Given that the local market rent is $625, the typical Section 8 reimbursement of $880 creates a surplus for landlords. This surplus is the difference between the SAFMR and the local market rent, which in this case is $255 per month. This means landlords in ZIP 71630 can benefit from a higher rental income compared to the general market rates when renting to tenants with Section 8 vouchers.
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.