Location: Idaho County, ID | Metro: Idaho County, ID
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $750 |
| 1 Bedroom | $800 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,050 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,760 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,042 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,287 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,470 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,594 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 83549 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Section 8 Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $1,040 per month for the fiscal year 2026. This figure represents the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher program will pay for a two-bedroom rental unit in this specific ZIP code.
Local market rents, according to the Census ACS (American Community Survey), run significantly lower at $641 per month for a similar unit. This discrepancy highlights the potential financial benefit for landlords who participate in the Section 8 program in this area.
A voucher payment consists of two parts: the tenant contribution and the utility allowance, plus the subsidy provided by the government. Tenants are required to contribute 30% of their adjusted income toward rent. If a tenant's monthly adjusted income is $1,000, they would contribute $300 towards the rent. Utility allowances vary but typically cover the cost of utilities for low-income tenants. For instance, a utility allowance might be around $200 per month.
In ZIP 83549, if the market rent is $641 and the tenant contributes $300, the government would subsidize the remaining $341 to meet the market rent. However, since the SAFMR is $1,040, the government would actually pay up to $740 ($1,040 - $300) towards the rent, which is above the market rate. This means that landlords could receive a total of $1,040 for a unit rented at the market price of $641.
The typical reimbursement gap or surplus in this scenario is a surplus. Landlords can expect a surplus of $400 per month on a two-bedroom unit when factoring in the full SAFMR of $1,040. This surplus is due to the higher SAFMR compared to the local market rent of $641, making Section 8 participation economically favorable for landlords in ZIP 83549.
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.