Location: Ward County, TX | Metro: Ward County, TX
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $890 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,070 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,170 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,420 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,610 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,868 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,092 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,259 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,372 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 79719 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Standard Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $1,080 per month for the fiscal year 2026. This figure is specific to this ZIP code and reflects the rental assistance amount determined by HUD (Housing and Urban Development).
To understand what a landlord will receive from a voucher, it's important to break down the components. The tenant is responsible for paying approximately 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. For simplicity, let's assume a tenant's adjusted monthly income is $1,500. In this case, the tenant would pay $450 toward the rent.
The remaining 70% of the rent is covered by the housing authority, up to the SAFMR limit. Therefore, the housing authority would contribute $630 to meet the total rent of $1,080. However, the actual reimbursement might be less if the tenant's share plus the housing authority's contribution exceeds the SAFMR. In such cases, the maximum reimbursement is capped at $1,080.
In addition to the base rent, there are utility allowances. These vary but generally cover a portion of the tenant's utilities. For ZIP 79719, the utility allowance is not specified, so landlords should check with the local housing authority for exact figures. Utility allowances can range widely depending on the specific circumstances of the property and the tenant's usage.
Given the SAFMR of $1,080, if the local market rent for a two-bedroom unit is higher, landlords will face a reimbursement gap. Conversely, if the market rent is lower, landlords may see a surplus. However, since the local market rent data is currently unavailable, we cannot calculate the exact gap or surplus.
Landlords should also note that the SAFMR sets a strict ceiling on the rent that can be charged to tenants using vouchers. If the market rent is higher than $1,080, the landlord must accept the SAFMR as the maximum rent or risk losing the tenant to another property that fits within the voucher limits.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 79719 receiving Section 8 vouchers for a two-bedroom apartment will be reimbursed up to $1,080 per month, with the tenant paying around $450 based on the example given. The utility allowance adds to the complexity but does not exceed the SAFMR cap. Until the local market rent is known, the reimbursement gap or surplus remains undefined, but landlords should prepare for a scenario where the SAFMR may not fully cover the 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.