How much does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in ZIP 51542?

For ZIP 51542 in Pottawattamie County, IA, the FY2026 two-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent is $1,070 per month. Local housing authorities set the Section 8 payment standard between 90% and 110% of that, roughly $965 to $1,175 before the tenant's utility allowance.

What are the FY2026 Section 8 rent limits for ZIP 51542?

HUD's FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 51542, by bedroom size: studio $850, 1-bedroom $900, 2-bedroom $1,070, 3-bedroom $1,430, 4-bedroom $1,590. In SAFMR metros the ZIP-level figure, not the county average, is what applies to an address here.

Which housing authority covers ZIP 51542?

Vouchers for Pottawattamie County are administered by Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs. The authority whose jurisdiction covers ZIP 51542 handles the application, the waitlist, the HAP contract, and the unit inspection.

Section 8 Rent in ZIP 51542

FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 51542 in Pottawattamie 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

$850

1 BR

$900

2 BR

$1,070

3 BR

$1,430

4 BR

$1,590

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%)

$965

FMR (100%)

$1,070

High (110%)

$1,175

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 51542 at $1,070 is $298 lower than the Pottawattamie County county-wide 2 BR FMR of $1,368. In SAFMR metros the ZIP number applies, so the county-wide figure overstates what a voucher covers in this ZIP.

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in ZIP 51542?

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 Pottawattamie County

Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs
Council Bluffs · PHA code IA023
784 Section 8 units

The PHA whose jurisdiction covers ZIP 51542 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 51542?: For ZIP 51542 in Pottawattamie County, IA, the FY2026 two-bedroom Small Area Fair Market Rent is $1,070 per month. Local housing authorities set the Section 8 payment standard between 90% and 110% of that, roughly $965 to $1,175 before the tenant's utility allowance.
What are the FY2026 Section 8 rent limits for ZIP 51542?: HUD's FY2026 Small Area Fair Market Rent for ZIP 51542, by bedroom size: studio $850, 1-bedroom $900, 2-bedroom $1,070, 3-bedroom $1,430, 4-bedroom $1,590. In SAFMR metros the ZIP-level figure, not the county average, is what applies to an address here.
Which housing authority covers ZIP 51542?: Vouchers for Pottawattamie County are administered by Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs. The authority whose jurisdiction covers ZIP 51542 handles the application, the waitlist, the HAP contract, and the unit inspection.

Find Section 8 apartments in ZIP 51542

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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Pottawattamie County overview All of Iowa

SAFMR data published by HUD for FY2026. ZIP 51542 maps to Pottawattamie County, IA · FIPS 19155. Investors can run these numbers in the RentalCalcs voucher analyzer.