Location: Morrow County, OR | Metro: Morrow County, OR
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $720 |
| 1 Bedroom | $790 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,010 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,410 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,700 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $1,972 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,209 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,386 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,505 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 97836, which includes Heppner, Oregon, and part of Morrow County, can be quite different from the broader metro or county-level averages. For a two-bedroom unit in this specific ZIP code, the SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for fiscal year 2026 is set at $1,120. This figure is crucial because it represents the maximum amount that the Section 8 program will pay for a rental unit in this area.
In contrast, the local market rent for a similar two-bedroom unit, according to Census ACS data, is around $850. This lower market rent suggests that landlords in ZIP 97836 could potentially receive a higher reimbursement than the local market rate if they participate in the Section 8 program.
A Section 8 voucher works by covering the difference between the market rent and what the tenant can afford, up to the SAFMR limit. The tenant's portion is typically calculated as 30% of their adjusted income. Additionally, there are utility allowances that vary based on the size of the unit and the location. For a two-bedroom unit in this area, the utility allowance is approximately $300.
To illustrate, let's assume a tenant's portion of the rent is $350. The total reimbursement a landlord would receive from the Section 8 program for a two-bedroom unit would be the sum of the tenant's portion and the utility allowance, which equals $650. However, since the SAFMR is $1,120, the landlord can charge up to this amount. In this scenario, the landlord would receive the full $1,120 from the Section 8 program, with the tenant paying their $350 portion and the remaining $770 coming from the government.
The typical reimbursement gap or surplus for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 97836 is a surplus of $270. This means that even at the local market rent of $850, landlords can expect to receive an additional $270 per month above the market rate due to the higher SAFMR set for this specific ZIP code.
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.