Location: Moore County, TX | Metro: Hansford County, TX
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $820 |
| 1 Bedroom | $830 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,080 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,500 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,810 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,100 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,352 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,540 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,667 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 79083 are governed by the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) rates, which for a two-bedroom apartment are set at $970 per month for fiscal year 2026. This rate is specific to this ZIP code, reflecting the local rental conditions more accurately than a broader metro or county-level average.
In contrast, the local market rent for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 79083 is higher, at $1,202 according to the Census ACS data. This discrepancy highlights the financial realities landlords face when considering participation in the Section 8 program.
A landlord's actual reimbursement from a Section 8 voucher is calculated by taking into account the tenant's portion of the rent and any utility allowances. Typically, the tenant is responsible for paying approximately 30% of their income towards rent, which is then supplemented by the government to meet the total rent amount. However, the maximum reimbursement cannot exceed the SAFMR rate of $970.
Utility allowances vary but generally cover a portion of the tenant's electricity, gas, water, and sewer costs. For ZIP 79083, these allowances might add an additional $100-$150 to the monthly reimbursement, depending on the specifics of the voucher and the household's needs.
To illustrate, if a tenant's portion of the rent is $200 and the utility allowance is $120, the total reimbursement to the landlord would be $320 plus the SAFMR rate of $970, totaling $1,290. However, since the SAFMR cap is $970, the landlord would receive only $970 regardless of the tenant's contribution or utility allowances.
This leads to a reimbursement gap where the local market rent of $1,202 exceeds the SAFMR rate of $970. Thus, landlords would have a shortfall of $232 per month on a two-bedroom unit if they were to rent it out at market rates under the Section 8 program.
For landlords and small-portfolio investors, understanding these figures is crucial for making informed decisions about participating in the Section 8 program. It's important to weigh the benefits of guaranteed payments against the potential revenue loss compared to renting at market rates without a voucher.
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.