Location: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | Metro: Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA MSA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,400 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,550 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $3,150 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $4,150 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $5,000 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $5,800 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $6,496 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $7,016 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $7,367 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 91708, which encompasses Chino, CA, in San Bernardino County, are straightforward. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this specific ZIP code is set at $2950 for the fiscal year 2024. This figure represents the maximum amount that the government will reimburse landlords for participating in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
The local market rent, as measured by ZORI (Zillow Observed Rent Index), stands at $3,294. This indicates that the average rental price for a two-bedroom unit in the area is higher than the SAFMR. However, landlords should understand that the actual reimbursement they receive under a Section 8 voucher is calculated differently.
A voucher payment consists of two parts: the government reimbursement and the tenant's contribution. The tenant is required to pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. For example, if a tenant's adjusted income is $1,000 per month, they would contribute $300 towards the rent. Additionally, there are utility allowances that vary but typically do not cover the full cost of utilities for the tenant.
To illustrate, assume the tenant contributes $300 and the utility allowance is $150. The total reimbursement a landlord would receive for a two-bedroom unit would be $2950 (SAFMR) minus the tenant's contribution and utility allowance. Therefore, the reimbursement would be $2500 ($2950 - $300 - $150).
This leaves a reimbursement gap between the local market rent and the government reimbursement. In ZIP 91708, with a local market rent of $3,294 and a typical reimbursement of $2500, the gap is $794 per month. This means landlords must decide whether the benefits of having a stable, government-backed tenant outweigh the financial shortfall compared to market rates.
In summary, while the SAFMR for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 91708 is $2950, the actual reimbursement after accounting for the tenant's contribution and utility allowances is lower, often around $2500. This results in a surplus for the landlord if they can secure a tenant willing to pay close to the market rate, but more commonly, it leaves a gap of about $794 per month when compared to the local market rent of $3,294.
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.