Location: Baxter County, AR | Metro: Baxter County, AR
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $690 |
| 1 Bedroom | $690 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $910 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,190 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,190 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,380 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,546 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $1,670 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $1,754 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 72658 are governed by the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) which is set specifically for this ZIP code. For a two-bedroom apartment, the SAFMR for FY 2026 is $880. This figure represents the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher program will pay towards the rent of a unit in this area. However, it's important to note that the local market rent, according to the Census ACS, is significantly lower at $716.
A landlord participating in Section 8 should understand that the total reimbursement received includes both the tenant portion and utility allowances. Typically, tenants contribute 30% of their adjusted income toward the rent. If we assume an average adjusted income of $1,500 per month, the tenant would pay approximately $450. Utility allowances vary but can be estimated around $150 for a two-bedroom apartment. Therefore, the total reimbursement a landlord might receive from the voucher program would be the sum of the tenant contribution and the utility allowance, capped at the SAFMR of $880.
In practice, if the tenant's contribution plus the utility allowance exceeds $880, the voucher payment remains at $880. Conversely, if the sum is less than $880, the landlord receives the lesser amount. For example, if the tenant contributes $450 and the utility allowance is $150, the total reimbursement would be $600. In this scenario, the landlord would receive $600 from the voucher program, falling short of the SAFMR by $280.
The reimbursement gap or surplus in ZIP 72658 can be calculated by comparing the SAFMR to the local market rent. Given the SAFMR of $880 and the local market rent of $716, there is a surplus of $164. This means that landlords who participate in Section 8 in this ZIP code could potentially receive $164 more than the prevailing local market rent for a two-bedroom unit.
However, it's crucial to consider that the actual reimbursement depends on the individual tenant's income and utility usage. Landlords should also be aware that the SAFMR is subject to change annually based on HUD's assessment of rental market conditions.
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.