HUD FY 2026 SAFMR Lookup Tool
Find Your Section 8 RCS 150% Threshold by ZIP Code
The Strategic Context
HUD’s Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) represent one of the most precise and actionable data sets available to Section 8 property owners, appraisers, and housing agencies — and they’re updated every October.
For FY 2026, these figures are effective for any Rent Comparability Study (RCS) signed by the owner’s appraiser on or after October 1, 2025. That makes this the essential reference point for any Section 8 contract renewal strategy initiated this fiscal year.
What You Can Do With This Tool
Preliminary Rent Assessment Before commissioning a full Rent Comparability Study, use SAFMR data to get an early read on where your property’s contract rents stand relative to the ZIP-code-level market. A gap of more than 10% between your current rents and the SAFMR benchmark is a meaningful signal worth investigating further.
Market Alignment Verification SAFMRs are calculated at the ZIP code level — not the broader metropolitan area — making them significantly more sensitive to neighborhood-specific market conditions. A thorough SAFMR analysis can reveal market alignment opportunities that metro-wide FMR comparisons would miss entirely.
RCS 150% Threshold Planning Under HUD’s updated Section 8 Renewal Policy Guidebook, the mandatory market rent threshold test for HUD Rent Comparability Studies is set at 150% of the applicable SAFMR — not the broader FMR. This distinction is critical for property owners pursuing mark-up-to-market renewals. Knowing where the 150% ceiling falls in your market before engaging an appraiser is a straightforward way to enter the RCS process with a stronger strategic foundation.
Portfolio-Wide Screening For property management companies and acquisition teams managing multiple Section 8 contracts across markets, this tool enables efficient identification of below-market Section 8 rent positions across an entire portfolio — informing both renewal sequencing and acquisition due diligence.
Understanding What These Numbers Mean for Your Renewal Strategy
SAFMRs are a starting point, not a conclusion. The figures you find here will tell you whether a deeper analysis is warranted — but the full picture of your property’s market position requires evaluating comparable properties, neighborhood conditions, non-shelter services valuation, and the specific requirements of your Contract Administrator.
That’s precisely where a Phased RCS Approach adds strategic value. Rather than committing to the full cost of a Rent Comparability Study before confirming market support, a Phase 1 preliminary rent assessment uses SAFMR data alongside comparable market research to deliver a clear go/no-go recommendation — at a fraction of the full RCS investment.
For more on the 150% threshold and how it affects your Section 8 contract renewal options, see our companion article: HUD Introduces New 150% Mandatory Market Rent Threshold Test →
About This Data
These figures reflect HUD’s officially published FY 2026 Small Area Fair Market Rents. SAFMRs are updated annually — property owners and advisors should confirm the applicable fiscal year at the time of RCS engagement.
For questions about how to apply SAFMR data to a specific renewal strategy or portfolio assessment, contact the Clarendon team.
Related Resources
Three resources worth having before any RCS conversation begins. The SAFMR Calculator returns FY2026 ZIP-level benchmarks by bedroom size in under a minute — the figures HUD uses as reference points at renewal. The SAFMR Heat Map shows how your ZIP code compares to surrounding markets, useful for understanding whether your neighborhood tracks with or diverges from the broader metro. And for background on the threshold test that determines which review path your RCS takes, HUD’s New 150% Market Rent Threshold Test covers the mechanics in full.
About: Clarendon is a trusted partner for government compliance and advisory solutions, specializing in HUD-compliant services: HUD RCS, appraisals, brokerage, inspections, facility support and strategic guidance for agencies, housing authorities and property owners nationwide.
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