Location: Wahkiakum County, WA | Metro: Wahkiakum County, WA
Based on 1% Rule: A+ (≥1.5%) | A (≥1.2%) | B (≥1.0%) | C (≥0.8%) | D (≥0.6%) | F (<0.6%)
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $830 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,070 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,190 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,650 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,990 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,308 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $2,585 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $2,792 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $2,932 |
Zillow median home prices vs Section 8 FMR rates (Data: 2026-07-31)
| Bedrooms | Monthly FMR | Median Price | 1% Rule | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3BR | $1,650 | $451,337 | 0.37% | F |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
In ZIP code 98612, the Section 8 housing program operates under specific economic guidelines that can significantly impact a landlord's revenue. The SAFMR (Small Area Fair Market Rent) for a two-bedroom apartment in this ZIP code for fiscal year 2026 is set at $1,280. This figure represents the maximum amount that the Housing Choice Voucher Program will pay towards rent for a unit of this size in this specific area.
The local market rent, according to Census ACS data, is considerably lower at $790 for a two-bedroom unit. This difference highlights the potential financial advantage of renting to tenants with vouchers in ZIP 98612.
A voucher payment is calculated based on the SAFMR, but it also includes the tenant's portion of the rent and any utility allowances. Landlords should understand that the tenant is responsible for paying approximately 30% of their income towards rent. This amount, known as the tenant's portion, is added to the voucher reimbursement to determine the total rent received.
Utility allowances are additional payments made by the housing authority to cover electricity, gas, water, and sewage costs. These allowances vary depending on the specific needs of the household and the region's average utility costs.
To illustrate, if a tenant's portion of the rent is $384 (assuming an income level where 30% equals this amount), and the utility allowance is $100, the total monthly rent a landlord would receive for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,664 ($1,280 voucher + $384 tenant portion + $100 utilities).
This calculation shows that even though the local market rent is $790, landlords can expect a higher reimbursement when accepting Section 8 tenants. In ZIP 98612, the typical reimbursement gap or surplus for a two-bedroom unit is a surplus of $884 per month over the local market rent. This surplus is significant and can provide a substantial financial benefit to landlords who choose to participate in the Section 8 program.
However, it is important to note that while the SAFMR is set at $1,280, landlords must ensure that the rental units meet certain quality standards and that the rent is reasonable compared to similar units in the area. Landlords should also be aware of the administrative requirements and potential delays in receiving payments.
In summary, landlords in ZIP 98612 can anticipate a surplus of $884 per month when renting to Section 8 tenants for a two-bedroom unit, making it a potentially lucrative option despite the administrative considerations.
Data Sources: FMR data from HUD (2027). Median home prices from Zillow (2026-07-31). 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.