Location: Parmer County, TX | Metro: Bailey County, TX
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $790 |
| 1 Bedroom | $820 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,040 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,330 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,530 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,775 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $1,988 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,147 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,254 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 79347 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Standard Amount for Moderate Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $990 per month for fiscal year 2026. This figure represents the maximum amount that a landlord can receive from the Housing Choice Voucher program for a two-bedroom unit in this specific ZIP code.
However, it's important to understand that the actual reimbursement to landlords consists of two parts: the tenant's contribution and the voucher subsidy. The tenant is required to pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. If we take the average local market rent of $932 per month based on Census ACS data, we can calculate the potential reimbursement.
To illustrate, let's assume a tenant has an adjusted income of $1,500 per month. Their contribution would be 30% of this amount, which is $450. The remaining amount is covered by the voucher, up to the SAFMR limit of $990. Therefore, the voucher would cover $540 ($990 - $450).
Additionally, the voucher includes utility allowances. These allowances vary but typically add a few hundred dollars to the total reimbursement. For simplicity, let's assume an average utility allowance of $200. This brings the total voucher payment to $740 ($540 + $200).
In this scenario, if the market rent is $932 and the total voucher payment is $740, the landlord would face a reimbursement gap of $192 per month ($932 - $740). This means the landlord would need to accept a lower rental income than the market rate to participate in the Section 8 program.
Alternatively, if the landlord sets the rent at the SAFMR limit of $990, the reimbursement gap would increase to $250 per month ($990 - $740). It's crucial for landlords to carefully consider these economics when deciding whether to participate in the program.
Landlords should also be aware that the SAFMR is periodically adjusted, so future fiscal years may see changes in the reimbursement rates. However, for fiscal year 2026, the reimbursement gap for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 79347 is expected to be around $192 to $250 per month, depending on the market rent set by the landlord.
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.