Section 8 Rent Limits in Louisiana for FY2027: Fair Market Rent for Every County
What Section 8 pays in Louisiana depends on the county. HUD sets a Fair Market Rent for each of the state's 64 counties (grouped into 18 metro and non-metro FMR areas), and every housing authority in Louisiana builds its payment standard from that figure. For fiscal year 2027, the 2-bedroom FMR runs from $892 in Bienville Parish to $1,480 in St. John the Baptist Parish, about half again as much. The statewide median county sits at $995.
Year over year, 46 of the 64 counties with figures in both years went up and 18 went down. St. James Parish had the biggest jump, $921 to $1,165 (+26.5%). Bossier Parish took the biggest cut, $1,111 to $1,045 (-5.9%). No metro in Louisiana is on HUD's mandatory Small Area FMR list, so these county figures are the base everywhere in the state unless a housing authority has opted into ZIP-level standards.
How the number becomes your rent limit. The FMR is HUD's estimate of the 40th-percentile gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a modest unit in the area. Your housing authority publishes a payment standard for each bedroom size, between 90% and 110% of the FMR. You pay roughly 30% of adjusted monthly income; the voucher covers the rest up to the payment standard. If the unit's gross rent is above the standard, you pay the difference, but a new lease cannot leave your share above 40% of income.
FY2027 Fair Market Rents by Metro Area in Louisiana
HUD groups counties into FMR areas; a metro's figure applies to every county inside it. "ZIP-level" marks mandatory Small Area FMR metros.
| FMR area | Studio | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | 2 BR vs FY2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia Parish, LA | $628 | $690 | $902 | $1,075 | $1,267 | +2.5% |
| Alexandria, LA | $757 | $796 | $995 | $1,341 | $1,468 | +0.1% |
| Assumption Parish, LA | $758 | $762 | $932 | $1,242 | $1,495 | -3.6% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $992 | $1,014 | $1,149 | $1,456 | $1,842 | -4.6% |
| Hammond, LA | $782 | $854 | $1,097 | $1,384 | $1,442 | -0.2% |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $765 | $903 | $1,098 | $1,335 | $1,443 | -0.4% |
| Iberville Parish, LA | $775 | $819 | $892 | $1,235 | $1,431 | +3.0% |
| Jefferson Davis Parish, LA | $641 | $704 | $921 | $1,217 | $1,315 | +5.7% |
| Lafayette, LA | $835 | $971 | $1,092 | $1,375 | $1,607 | +7.2% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $935 | $941 | $1,231 | $1,467 | $1,713 | +1.2% |
| Monroe, LA | $782 | $794 | $1,017 | $1,314 | $1,337 | -0.9% |
| Morehouse Parish, LA | $705 | $710 | $892 | $1,175 | $1,180 | +7.0% |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $1,096 | $1,229 | $1,480 | $1,900 | $2,233 | +11.2% |
| Richland Parish, LA | $783 | $785 | $975 | $1,162 | $1,362 | +3.3% |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $832 | $926 | $1,045 | $1,380 | $1,450 | -5.9% |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $1,074 | $1,164 | $1,354 | $1,745 | $1,997 | +1.7% |
| St. James Parish, LA | $868 | $891 | $1,165 | $1,613 | $1,753 | +26.5% |
| Vermilion Parish, LA | $657 | $826 | $899 | $1,177 | $1,182 | +7.8% |
FY2027 Fair Market Rents for Every County in Louisiana
All 64 counties, alphabetical. Studio figures are in the metro table above.
| County | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR | 2 BR vs FY2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia Parish | $690 | $902 | $1,075 | $1,267 | +2.5% |
| Allen Parish | $836 | $910 | $1,169 | $1,382 | +9.1% |
| Ascension Parish | $1,014 | $1,149 | $1,456 | $1,842 | -4.6% |
| Assumption Parish | $762 | $932 | $1,242 | $1,495 | -3.6% |
| Avoyelles Parish | $719 | $902 | $1,154 | $1,370 | +5.3% |
| Beauregard Parish | $782 | $1,023 | $1,251 | $1,710 | +9.4% |
| Bienville Parish | $682 | $892 | $1,235 | $1,491 | +7.0% |
| Bossier Parish | $926 | $1,045 | $1,380 | $1,450 | -5.9% |
| Caddo Parish | $926 | $1,045 | $1,380 | $1,450 | -5.9% |
| Calcasieu Parish | $941 | $1,231 | $1,467 | $1,713 | +1.2% |
| Caldwell Parish | $682 | $892 | $1,202 | $1,355 | +7.0% |
| Cameron Parish | $941 | $1,231 | $1,467 | $1,713 | +1.2% |
| Catahoula Parish | $702 | $892 | $1,158 | $1,355 | +7.0% |
| Claiborne Parish | $791 | $892 | $1,091 | $1,355 | +7.0% |
| Concordia Parish | $702 | $893 | $1,140 | $1,493 | +7.1% |
| De Soto Parish | $926 | $1,045 | $1,380 | $1,450 | -5.9% |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | $1,014 | $1,149 | $1,456 | $1,842 | -4.6% |
| East Carroll Parish | $702 | $892 | $1,235 | $1,476 | +7.0% |
| East Feliciana Parish | $1,014 | $1,149 | $1,456 | $1,842 | -4.6% |
| Evangeline Parish | $682 | $892 | $1,166 | $1,172 | +7.0% |
| Franklin Parish | $712 | $892 | $1,091 | $1,355 | +7.0% |
| Grant Parish | $796 | $995 | $1,341 | $1,468 | +0.1% |
| Iberia Parish | $813 | $981 | $1,286 | $1,624 | +8.4% |
| Iberville Parish | $819 | $892 | $1,235 | $1,431 | +3.0% |
| Jackson Parish | $819 | $892 | $1,235 | $1,312 | +7.0% |
| Jefferson Davis Parish | $704 | $921 | $1,217 | $1,315 | +5.7% |
| Jefferson Parish | $1,229 | $1,480 | $1,900 | $2,233 | +11.2% |
| La Salle Parish | $702 | $892 | $1,125 | $1,491 | +4.8% |
| Lafayette Parish | $971 | $1,092 | $1,375 | $1,607 | +7.2% |
| Lafourche Parish | $903 | $1,098 | $1,335 | $1,443 | -0.4% |
| Lincoln Parish | $754 | $892 | $1,235 | $1,440 | +1.2% |
| Livingston Parish | $1,014 | $1,149 | $1,456 | $1,842 | -4.6% |
| Madison Parish | $710 | $892 | $1,235 | $1,491 | +7.0% |
| Morehouse Parish | $710 | $892 | $1,175 | $1,180 | +7.0% |
| Natchitoches Parish | $716 | $892 | $1,168 | $1,491 | -3.6% |
| Orleans Parish | $1,229 | $1,480 | $1,900 | $2,233 | +11.2% |
| Ouachita Parish | $794 | $1,017 | $1,314 | $1,337 | -0.9% |
| Plaquemines Parish | $1,229 | $1,480 | $1,900 | $2,233 | +11.2% |
| Pointe Coupee Parish | $1,014 | $1,149 | $1,456 | $1,842 | -4.6% |
| Rapides Parish | $796 | $995 | $1,341 | $1,468 | +0.1% |
| Red River Parish | $731 | $929 | $1,132 | $1,411 | +11.4% |
| Richland Parish | $785 | $975 | $1,162 | $1,362 | +3.3% |
| Sabine Parish | $722 | $892 | $1,235 | $1,427 | +0.9% |
| St. Bernard Parish | $1,229 | $1,480 | $1,900 | $2,233 | +11.2% |
| St. Charles Parish | $1,229 | $1,480 | $1,900 | $2,233 | +11.2% |
| St. Helena Parish | $1,014 | $1,149 | $1,456 | $1,842 | -4.6% |
| St. James Parish | $891 | $1,165 | $1,613 | $1,753 | +26.5% |
| St. John the Baptist Parish | $1,229 | $1,480 | $1,900 | $2,233 | +11.2% |
| St. Landry Parish | $682 | $892 | $1,087 | $1,172 | +7.0% |
| St. Martin Parish | $971 | $1,092 | $1,375 | $1,607 | +7.2% |
| St. Mary Parish | $762 | $997 | $1,321 | $1,633 | +5.3% |
| St. Tammany Parish | $1,164 | $1,354 | $1,745 | $1,997 | +1.7% |
| Tangipahoa Parish | $854 | $1,097 | $1,384 | $1,442 | -0.2% |
| Tensas Parish | $819 | $892 | $1,235 | $1,355 | +7.0% |
| Terrebonne Parish | $903 | $1,098 | $1,335 | $1,443 | -0.4% |
| Union Parish | $794 | $1,017 | $1,314 | $1,337 | -0.9% |
| Vermilion Parish | $826 | $899 | $1,177 | $1,182 | +7.8% |
| Vernon Parish | $842 | $1,102 | $1,396 | $1,560 | +5.9% |
| Washington Parish | $819 | $892 | $1,235 | $1,433 | +7.0% |
| Webster Parish | $705 | $922 | $1,183 | $1,212 | +8.0% |
| West Baton Rouge Parish | $1,014 | $1,149 | $1,456 | $1,842 | -4.6% |
| West Carroll Parish | $682 | $892 | $1,171 | $1,226 | +7.0% |
| West Feliciana Parish | $1,014 | $1,149 | $1,456 | $1,842 | -4.6% |
| Winn Parish | $819 | $892 | $1,235 | $1,355 | +7.0% |
Where the Limit Moved Most From FY2026 to FY2027
Biggest increases (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. James Parish | $921 | $1,165 | +26.5% |
| Red River Parish | $834 | $929 | +11.4% |
| Jefferson Parish | $1,331 | $1,480 | +11.2% |
| Orleans Parish | $1,331 | $1,480 | +11.2% |
| Plaquemines Parish | $1,331 | $1,480 | +11.2% |
Biggest cuts (2-bedroom):
| County | FY2026 | FY2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bossier Parish | $1,111 | $1,045 | -5.9% |
| Caddo Parish | $1,111 | $1,045 | -5.9% |
| De Soto Parish | $1,111 | $1,045 | -5.9% |
| Ascension Parish | $1,204 | $1,149 | -4.6% |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | $1,204 | $1,149 | -4.6% |
HUD caps a one-year decrease at 10%, so a county showing exactly -10.0% hit the floor. A lower FMR does not change an existing lease; it narrows the band for new leases and rent increases, and a reduced payment standard reaches a family already housed only at its second annual reexamination after the change.
Where a Voucher Beats the Market in Louisiana
Comparing HUD's 2-bedroom limit to Zillow's observed rent in the same ZIP code shows where a voucher actually stretches. No Louisiana metro with enough data has a positive median: New Orleans-Metairie comes closest, with the typical ZIP's limit -15.5% against market rent and 7% of its ZIPs above the going rent; Baton Rouge is the hardest at -20.5%. "Median premium" is the typical ZIP's rent limit minus market rent, as a percent of market rent.
| Metro | ZIPs with data | Median premium | ZIPs above market |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 46 | -15.5% | 7% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 22 | -20.5% | 23% |
Even where the median is negative, the ZIPs above market are where voucher tenants and landlords match fastest. The national ranking is in our voucher-vs-market analysis.
The Largest Housing Authorities in Louisiana
Which authority issued your voucher decides which payment standard applies. The biggest programs in the state:
- Housing Authority of New Orleans (New Orleans), about 18,000 vouchers, (504) 670-3300
- Parish of Jefferson (Harvey), about 5,000 vouchers, (504) 227-1454
- Housing Authority of East Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge), about 4,500 vouchers, (225) 923-8100
- Housing Authority of Shreveport (Shreveport), about 4,000 vouchers, (318) 698-3600
- Housing Authority of Lake Charles (Lake Charles), about 2,400 vouchers, (337) 426-8981
- Housing Authority of the City of Lafayette (Lafayette), about 2,200 vouchers, (337) 233-1327
- Louisiana Housing Authority (Baton Rouge), about 1,800 vouchers, (225) 763-8898
- Housing Authority of the City of Alexandria (Alexandria), about 1,700 vouchers, (318) 442-8843
Can a Landlord Refuse a Voucher in Louisiana?
Yes, in most of the state. Louisiana has no statewide source-of-income protection, so a landlord can decline a voucher unless a local ordinance says otherwise. Refusal based on race, disability, familial status, or another federally protected trait is still illegal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Section 8 pay in Louisiana? It depends on the county. HUD's FY2027 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent runs from $892 in Bienville Parish to $1,480 in St. John the Baptist Parish, with a median county of $995. Your housing authority's payment standard is 90% to 110% of the figure for your county, and the voucher pays that standard minus about 30% of your adjusted income.
Which Louisiana county has the highest Section 8 rent limit? St. John the Baptist Parish, at $1,480 for a 2-bedroom ($1,900 for a 3-bedroom) in FY2027. The lowest is Bienville Parish at $892.
Did Section 8 rent limits go up in Louisiana for FY2027? Mostly yes: the 2-bedroom figure rose in 46 counties, fell in 18, and held in 0. The biggest increase was St. James Parish (+26.5%). The biggest cut was Bossier Parish (-5.9%).
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Louisiana? Yes, in most of the state. Louisiana has no statewide source-of-income protection, so a landlord can decline a voucher unless a local ordinance says otherwise. Refusal based on race, disability, familial status, or another federally protected trait is still illegal.
Where is my housing authority's actual payment standard? On the authority's website, usually a one-page PDF updated each fall, or by calling its Housing Choice Voucher office. The largest Louisiana authorities are listed above with phone numbers.
See also our Louisiana Section 8 overview; metro guides for New Orleans, Baton Rouge; the national 2-bedroom table for the 40 largest metros; HUD's FY2027 FMR dataset.
Holding a voucher in Louisiana? Browse voucher-friendly listings by ZIP code and bedroom size.
Louisiana landlord? List your property free. The table above is what a voucher tenant's authority can pay.
VoucherMatch Editorial Team
Every rule, date and dollar amount in this article is checked against the agency document it comes from, and the sources are listed above. How VoucherMatch articles are researched and corrected
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