Section 8 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for ZIP 99655 - 2027

Location: Bethel Census Area, AK | Metro: Bethel Census Area, AK

FY 2027 Fair Market Rent Rates

Unit Size	Monthly FMR
Studio	$1,530
1 Bedroom	$1,550
2 Bedrooms	$1,750
3 Bedrooms	$2,100
4 Bedrooms	$2,320
5 Bedrooms	$2,691
6 Bedrooms	$3,014
7 Bedrooms	$3,255
8 Bedrooms	$3,418

Demographics & Housing Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau data (2024)

Population

1,311

Median Household Income

$50,208

Housing Units

318

Renter Percentage

18.2%

Occupancy Rate

93.4%

Renter Occupied

To determine if you should buy in ZIP code 99655 for Section 8 purposes, follow this decision tree:

Step 1: Can the Fair Market Rent (FMR) of $1,940 cover your debt service?

No: Do not consider this ZIP code for Section 8 investment. The FMR does not sufficiently cover the costs associated with owning a property.
Yes: Proceed to Step 2.

Step 2: How does the market rent of $869 compare to the FMR?

Market Rent Below FMR: This indicates that the property's rental income will be less than the maximum allowed under the Section 8 program. You should only proceed if the FMR can still cover your debt service and other expenses.
Market Rent Equal to FMR: This ZIP code is perfectly aligned with Section 8 guidelines, making it an ideal location for such investments.
Market Rent Above FMR: It depends on how much above the FMR the market rent is. If the difference is significant, it might be better to seek properties where the market rent is closer to or below the FMR to ensure compliance with Section 8 requirements.

Step 3: Is there sufficient demand for rentals given 18.2% of residents are renters and the average days on the market (DOM) is N/A?

N/A DOM: Without specific data on DOM, it's challenging to gauge demand accurately. However, the percentage of renters at 18.2% suggests moderate demand. To make a final decision, you would need to assess the local vacancy rates and competition.
If DOM were known and low: There is strong demand, and the area is attractive for Section 8 investments.
If DOM were known and high: Demand is weak, which could indicate difficulty in finding tenants even under the Section 8 program.

In conclusion, the decision to invest in ZIP code 99655 for Section 8 purposes hinges on the ability of the FMR to cover debt service, the relationship between market rent and FMR, and the strength of rental demand based on the percentage of renters and DOM data. With the given information, if the FMR covers your debt service and market rent is either equal to or below the FMR, the ZIP code is suitable for Section 8 investment, contingent upon further investigation into DOM and overall demand conditions.

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.