How much does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in ZIP 18036?

For ZIP 18036 in Lehigh County, PA, the FY2027 two-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent is $1,690 per month. For illustration, 90% to 110% of this HUD benchmark is roughly $1,520 to $1,860. This modeled range is not the agency's adopted schedule. The agency calculates assistance using its applicable standard, household income and unit details; gross rent includes the allowance for tenant-paid utilities.

What are the FY2027 HUD rent benchmarks for ZIP 18036?

HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 18036, by bedroom size: studio $1,220, 1-bedroom $1,400, 2-bedroom $1,690, 3-bedroom $2,100, 4-bedroom $2,270. A ZIP benchmark helps compare locations but does not establish what a voucher pays. The administering agency's adopted schedule, program rules and household calculation determine assistance.

Which housing authority covers ZIP 18036?

Agencies listed for Lehigh County include Lehigh County Housing Authority, Allentown Housing Authority. This county directory does not establish jurisdiction for every address. Check the agency on your voucher or application and confirm who would administer assistance at the proposed unit.

Section 8 Rent in ZIP 18036

FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 18036 in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania: HUD rent benchmarks by bedroom size, an illustrative percentage range, the housing authorities that administer vouchers here, and whether a landlord can legally decline a voucher in Pennsylvania.

Studio

$1,220

1 BR

$1,400

2 BR

$1,690

3 BR

$2,100

4 BR

$2,270

What does the HUD rent benchmark measure in ZIP 18036?

HUD's Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents for standard-quality units occupied by recent movers. Small Area FMRs provide ZIP-level estimates. These are not arithmetic average asking rents or approved voucher payments. For FY2027, that benchmark is $1,400 for a one-bedroom and $1,690 for a two-bedroom in ZIP 18036. Actual asking rents and adopted agency payment standards can differ. The full HUD benchmark table is above.

What changed from FY2026 to FY2027 in ZIP 18036

HUD's two-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 18036 rose from $1,440 in FY2026 to $1,690 in FY2027, a change of +$250 a month (+17.4%). FY2027 figures took effect on October 1, 2026.

Bedrooms	FY2026	FY2027	Change
Efficiency (studio)	$1,010	$1,220	+$210 (+20.8%)
1-bedroom	$1,180	$1,400	+$220 (+18.6%)
2-bedroom	$1,440	$1,690	+$250 (+17.4%)
3-bedroom	$1,820	$2,100	+$280 (+15.4%)
4-bedroom	$1,930	$2,270	+$340 (+17.6%)

The FMR is not what the voucher pays. Each housing authority sets its own payment standard. The basic range is 90% to 110% of the applicable FMR or SAFMR, with exceptions and Moving to Work policies that may differ. A HUD effective date is not a household rent-change notice. Confirm the adopted schedule and its application to your lease or reexamination with your agency.

Already renting with a voucher in ZIP 18036? Under standard HCV rules, once the housing authority raises its payment standard, the higher amount must be used for your subsidy no later than the earliest of three dates: a rent increase that would raise your share, your next regular or interim reexamination, or one year after the increase took effect (24 CFR 982.505(c)(4)). Confirm any applicable Moving to Work policy with your agency.

Landlords: a higher FMR does not raise a contract rent by itself. You still request the increase from the housing authority, and the new rent has to pass its rent reasonableness review against comparable unassisted units.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents, FY2026 and FY2027, huduser.gov.

Illustration: 90% to 110% of the HUD benchmark (2 BR)

These percentages illustrate the basic payment-standard range, not a verified agency schedule. ZIP-based policies, approved exceptions and Moving to Work rules can differ.

Low (90%)

$1,520

FMR (100%)

$1,690

High (110%)

$1,860

Gross rent includes the applicable allowance for tenant-paid utilities. Ask your administering agency for the adopted standard and household affordability calculation; neither the HUD benchmark nor this illustration is a lease approval.

ZIP vs county FMR (2 BR)

ZIP 18036 at $1,690 is $149 lower than the Lehigh County county-wide 2 BR FMR of $1,839. The difference describes HUD benchmarks, not a reduction in your voucher. Confirm the applicable schedule with the agency administering your assistance.

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in ZIP 18036?

In most of the state, yes. Pennsylvania has no statewide source-of-income protection, so landlords in ZIP 18036 can decline Section 8 applications unless a local ordinance says otherwise.

Pennsylvania has no statewide source-of-income protection for housing vouchers. Local ordinances may apply.

Informational only, not legal advice. Laws change, so verify current status before acting on a rejection or making a leasing decision.

Housing authorities serving Lehigh County

Lehigh County Housing Authority
Emmaus · PHA code PA081
3,359 Section 8 units
Allentown Housing Authority
Allentown · PHA code PA004
1,839 Section 8 units

These agencies are listed for the county. Confirm jurisdiction for the exact address and, if you already have a voucher, which agency will administer the proposed move.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in ZIP 18036?: For ZIP 18036 in Lehigh County, PA, the FY2027 two-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent is $1,690 per month. For illustration, 90% to 110% of this HUD benchmark is roughly $1,520 to $1,860. This modeled range is not the agency's adopted schedule. The agency calculates assistance using its applicable standard, household income and unit details; gross rent includes the allowance for tenant-paid utilities.
What are the FY2027 HUD rent benchmarks for ZIP 18036?: HUD's FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 18036, by bedroom size: studio $1,220, 1-bedroom $1,400, 2-bedroom $1,690, 3-bedroom $2,100, 4-bedroom $2,270. A ZIP benchmark helps compare locations but does not establish what a voucher pays. The administering agency's adopted schedule, program rules and household calculation determine assistance.
Which housing authority covers ZIP 18036?: Agencies listed for Lehigh County include Lehigh County Housing Authority, Allentown Housing Authority. This county directory does not establish jurisdiction for every address. Check the agency on your voucher or application and confirm who would administer assistance at the proposed unit.

Find Section 8 apartments in ZIP 18036

VoucherMatch connects voucher holders with landlords who accept Section 8, and it is free for renters. The administering housing authority must approve the actual unit, rent and household assistance calculation.

Browse voucher-friendly listings in ZIP 18036 List your unit free

Lehigh County overview All of Pennsylvania

Landlord and investor tools for Lehigh County

RentalCalcs

Free calculators and guides from RentalCalcs, built by the VoucherMatch team, for landlords deciding whether to accept vouchers.

SAFMR data published by HUD for FY2027. ZIP 18036 maps to Lehigh County, PA · FIPS 42077. Investors can run these numbers in the RentalCalcs voucher analyzer.