Location: Refugio County, TX | Metro: Refugio County, TX
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $770 |
| 1 Bedroom | $810 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,410 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,470 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,705 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,910 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,063 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,166 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 78377 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $970 per month for fiscal year 2026. This figure is specific to this ZIP code and reflects the government's assessment of what constitutes fair rent in the area.
In contrast, the local market rent for a two-bedroom unit is lower, at $755 per month, according to the latest Census ACS data. This discrepancy between the SAFMR and the actual market rent is a key factor in understanding the financial dynamics for landlords participating in the Section 8 program.
A voucher holder under Section 8 pays 30% of their adjusted income toward rent, plus any applicable utility allowances. The remaining amount is paid directly to the landlord by the housing authority. For example, if a tenant's monthly adjusted income is $1,000, they would pay $300 toward rent. If the utility allowance is $100, the total payment from the housing authority to the landlord would be $870 ($970 - $300 + $100).
This means that even though the SAFMR is higher than the market rent, the landlord might still receive less than the market value when considering the tenant's contribution. In the case of a $755 market rent, the landlord would receive $870, which is above the market rate but below the SAFMR.
To summarize, landlords in ZIP 78377 can expect a reimbursement of up to $870 per month for a two-bedroom unit, assuming the tenant's portion and utility allowances are factored in. This results in a surplus of $115 compared to the local market rent of $755. However, landlords should be aware that this surplus is not guaranteed and can vary depending on the tenant's income and the utility allowances.
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.