Location: Ferry County, WA | Metro: Ferry County, WA
| Unit Size | Monthly FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,000 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,100 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,440 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,990 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $2,410 |
| 5 Bedrooms | $2,796 |
| 6 Bedrooms | $3,132 |
| 7 Bedrooms | $3,383 |
| 8 Bedrooms | $3,552 |
U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)
The economics of Section 8 housing in ZIP code 99138 are defined by the Subsidized Average Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) set at $1,250 per month for a two-bedroom apartment during fiscal year 2026. This figure represents the maximum amount the government will subsidize for such units within this specific ZIP code. In contrast, the local market rent for a similar unit is recorded at $535 according to the Census ACS.
A landlord participating in the Section 8 program should understand that the total reimbursement they receive is composed of two parts: the tenant's contribution and the utility allowance. Typically, the tenant contributes approximately 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. For ZIP 99138, if we assume an average adjusted income of $1,800 (a common benchmark), the tenant would contribute around $540 per month.
The utility allowance varies but generally covers a portion of the tenant's electricity, gas, water, and sewer costs. In this case, let's estimate it at $100 per month, which is a reasonable approximation based on historical data.
Therefore, the actual reimbursement a landlord can expect from a Section 8 voucher for a two-bedroom apartment in ZIP 99138 would be the sum of the tenant's contribution ($540) and the utility allowance ($100), totaling $640 per month. However, since the SAFMR is set at $1,250, the landlord would receive the difference between the SAFMR and the tenant's contribution, which is $710, plus the utility allowance.
This results in a reimbursement of $810 per month, leaving a significant gap compared to the SAFMR. The gap between the SAFMR and the reimbursement is $440 per month. This means landlords would need to cover the remaining $440 from other sources, or adjust their expectations accordingly. Alternatively, if the market rent is below the reimbursement rate, landlords could see a surplus. Given the local market rent is $535, landlords would have a surplus of $275 per month over and above the market rent.
To summarize, while the SAFMR for ZIP 99138 is $1,250, the typical reimbursement a landlord receives for a two-bedroom apartment under the Section 8 program is $810. This leaves a $440 shortfall relative to the SAFMR but a $275 surplus over the current market rent of $535. Landlords must factor these figures into their decision-making process when considering participation in the Section 8 program.
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.