Location: Val Verde County, TX | Metro: Val Verde County, TX
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $870 |
| 1 Bedroom | $920 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,120 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,490 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,650 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,914 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,144 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,316 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,432 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 78843 are defined by the federal government's Subsidized Average Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) for a two-bedroom apartment, which is set at $1,060 per month for fiscal year 2026. This SAFMR figure is specific to this ZIP code, reflecting the localized cost of housing.
A voucher holder under Section 8 typically pays 30% of their adjusted income toward rent, while the rest is subsidized by the government. To illustrate, if a tenant's monthly adjusted income is $1,500, they would pay approximately $450 towards rent. The remaining amount, up to the SAFMR limit, would be covered by the housing authority. In this case, the government would reimburse the landlord $610 ($1,060 - $450).
In addition to the base rent subsidy, landlords also receive utility allowances. These allowances vary but are designed to cover typical utility costs such as electricity, water, and gas. For ZIP 78843, the exact utility allowance amount isn't specified, but it can range from $100 to $300 depending on the type of utilities and their average cost in the area. Let's assume an average utility allowance of $200 for simplicity.
Therefore, the total reimbursement a landlord can expect from a Section 8 voucher for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 78843 would be the sum of the rent subsidy and the utility allowance. Using our example, this would be $810 ($610 in rent subsidy + $200 in utility allowance).
Given that the local market rent data is not available, we cannot compare the SAFMR directly to market rates. However, it's important to note that the SAFMR is often lower than the market rent, which can create a gap between what a landlord might charge a non-voucher tenant and what they will receive from a voucher tenant.
To calculate the potential reimbursement gap, subtract the total Section 8 reimbursement from the market rent. If the market rent were hypothetically $1,200, the gap would be $390 ($1,200 - $810). Conversely, if the market rent were below $1,060, the landlord would see a surplus, meaning they could potentially collect more than the SAFMR stipulates.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 78843 should expect a Section 8 reimbursement of around $810 for a two-bedroom unit, assuming a $200 utility allowance. This reimbursement is fixed based on the SAFMR and does not fluctuate with market conditions, leading to either a surplus or a gap depending on the actual market rent.
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.