Location: Graham County, AZ | Metro: Graham County, AZ
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,210 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,220 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,540 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,080 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,580 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,993 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,352 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,620 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,801 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP code 85531 are straightforward. The SAFMR (Section 8 Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment is set at $1,710 per month for fiscal year 2026. This figure represents the maximum amount that the housing authority will pay to cover the rent subsidy for eligible tenants.
To understand how much a landlord can expect to receive, it's crucial to factor in the tenant's portion of the rent and any utility allowances. Typically, the tenant is responsible for paying approximately 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. If we assume an average adjusted income of $1,400 for a tenant in this area, the tenant would owe about $420 per month. The remaining amount, up to the SAFMR, is covered by the housing voucher program.
In addition to the base rent, landlords may also receive utility allowances. These allowances vary but generally cover a significant portion of the tenant's energy costs. For ZIP 85531, a reasonable estimate might be around $200 per month for utilities. This means that the total monthly payment a landlord could receive from a Section 8 tenant for a two-bedroom unit would be around $1,910.
Note that the SAFMR specifically applies to this ZIP code, ensuring that the rates are tailored to the local rental market conditions. However, the local market rent is currently unavailable, which makes direct comparisons challenging. Nevertheless, the SAFMR provides a reliable benchmark for understanding the economic impact of accepting Section 8 vouchers.
Given the SAFMR of $1,710 and assuming the additional $200 for utilities, a landlord would receive a combined total of $1,910 per month. If your market rent for a two-bedroom exceeds $1,710, you will experience a reimbursement gap, meaning you'll need to charge less than the market rate to participate in the program. Conversely, if the market rent is lower, you may see a surplus, where the SAFMR exceeds the typical local rent, providing a stable income source.
For ZIP 85531, without the exact local market rent, we can infer that landlords who offer two-bedroom units priced at or below $1,710 will have a stable tenant situation with minimal financial risk. Those charging above this amount must decide whether to accept the reimbursement gap or seek other types of tenants.
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.