Location: Fresno, CA | Metro: Fresno, CA HUD Metro FMR Area
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,360 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,370 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,690 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,340 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,680 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $3,109 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,482 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,761 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,949 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 in ZIP 93628 are structured around the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment, which is set at $1440 for fiscal year 2024. This SAFMR is specifically tailored for this ZIP code, reflecting the local rental conditions more accurately than broader metro or county averages.
To understand how much a landlord can expect to receive from a Section 8 voucher, it's essential to break down the components involved. The local market rent for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 93628 is reported at $233 according to the Census ACS data. However, the SAFMR is the benchmark used to determine the maximum amount a voucher will cover.
The voucher payment consists of two parts: the tenant's contribution and the utility allowance. Tenants typically pay 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. For simplicity, let's assume an average adjusted income for a tenant in ZIP 93628 is $1440 (this is an assumption based on the SAFMR, but actual incomes vary widely). Thirty percent of $1440 is $432. Therefore, the tenant would contribute $432 towards the rent.
The utility allowance is designed to help cover electricity, gas, water, and sewer costs. In ZIP 93628, the utility allowance for a two-bedroom unit is included in the SAFMR calculation, but the exact amount isn't specified in the provided data. Typically, this allowance can range from $200 to $300 per month depending on the region and energy costs.
With these factors considered, the landlord would receive the difference between the SAFMR and the tenant's contribution, plus any applicable utility allowance. If we use the upper limit of $300 for utilities, the total reimbursement from the voucher would be $1440 - $432 + $300 = $1308.
This means there is a potential shortfall for landlords renting a two-bedroom unit at the market rate of $233. Given that the SAFMR is $1440, the gap between the market rent and the voucher reimbursement is $233 - $1308 = -$1075. This indicates that landlords could face a loss if they rent at the market rate, as the voucher does not cover the full cost.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 93628 should anticipate receiving approximately $1308 per month for a two-bedroom unit under a Section 8 voucher program, considering the tenant's contribution and utility allowance. This leaves a significant gap compared to the local market rent, resulting in a surplus for the landlord if they rent below the market rate and a deficit if they charge the full market rent of $233.
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.