How much does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in ZIP 50021?

For ZIP 50021 in Polk County, IA, the FY2026 two-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent is $1,680 per month. Local housing authorities set the Section 8 payment standard between 90% and 110% of that, roughly $1,510 to $1,850 before the tenant's utility allowance.

What are the FY2026 Section 8 rent limits for ZIP 50021?

HUD's FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 50021, by bedroom size: studio $1,360, 1-bedroom $1,410, 2-bedroom $1,680, 3-bedroom $2,290, 4-bedroom $2,350. In SAFMR metros the ZIP-level figure, not the county average, is what applies to an address here.

Which housing authority covers ZIP 50021?

Vouchers for Polk County are administered by Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency, Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority. The authority whose jurisdiction covers ZIP 50021 handles the application, the waitlist, the HAP contract, and the unit inspection.

Section 8 Rent in ZIP 50021

FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 50021 in Polk County, Iowa: the exact per-bedroom rents HUD publishes for this ZIP, the estimated payment-standard range, the housing authorities that administer vouchers here, and whether a landlord can legally decline a voucher in Iowa.

Studio

$1,360

1 BR

$1,410

2 BR

$1,680

3 BR

$2,290

4 BR

$2,350

What is the average rent in ZIP 50021?

HUD's Fair Market Rent is the standard benchmark for typical rent in a ZIP code: it is set at the 40th percentile of gross rents (rent plus utilities) that recent movers actually paid in the area. For FY2026, that benchmark is $1,410 for a one-bedroom and $1,680 for a two-bedroom in ZIP 50021. Asking rents on new listings often run somewhat above this figure, and voucher payment standards are set within 90–110% of it — the full per-bedroom table is above.

Estimated payment standard range (2 BR)

Local PHAs set payment standards between 90% and 110% of FMR. Exact figures vary by PHA. The numbers below are the modeled range.

Low (90%)

$1,510

FMR (100%)

$1,680

High (110%)

$1,850

Gross rent before the tenant utility allowance. The PHA's published payment standard is the number that actually applies; verify with the PHA before signing a lease or HAP contract.

ZIP vs county FMR (2 BR)

ZIP 50021 at $1,680 is $362 higher than the Polk County county-wide 2 BR FMR of $1,318. In SAFMR metros the ZIP number is what actually applies to an address here, so a voucher stretches further in this ZIP than the county average suggests.

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in ZIP 50021?

Source-of-income protection status for Iowa is not yet in our database. Check with local legal aid or the state civil-rights office before assuming either way.

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

Housing authorities serving Polk County

Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency
Des Moines · PHA code IA020
3,702 Section 8 units
Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority
Grimes · PHA code IA131
1,037 Section 8 units

The PHA whose jurisdiction covers ZIP 50021 handles the application, the HAP contract, and the unit inspection.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in ZIP 50021?: For ZIP 50021 in Polk County, IA, the FY2026 two-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent is $1,680 per month. Local housing authorities set the Section 8 payment standard between 90% and 110% of that, roughly $1,510 to $1,850 before the tenant's utility allowance.
What are the FY2026 Section 8 rent limits for ZIP 50021?: HUD's FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 50021, by bedroom size: studio $1,360, 1-bedroom $1,410, 2-bedroom $1,680, 3-bedroom $2,290, 4-bedroom $2,350. In SAFMR metros the ZIP-level figure, not the county average, is what applies to an address here.
Which housing authority covers ZIP 50021?: Vouchers for Polk County are administered by Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency, Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority. The authority whose jurisdiction covers ZIP 50021 handles the application, the waitlist, the HAP contract, and the unit inspection.

Find Section 8 apartments in ZIP 50021

VoucherMatch connects voucher holders with landlords who accept Section 8, and it is free for renters. Landlords: listings here reach applicants whose voucher already covers the rent above.

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Polk County overview All of Iowa

SAFMR data published by HUD for FY2026. ZIP 50021 maps to Polk County, IA · FIPS 19153. Investors can run these numbers in the RentalCalcs voucher analyzer.