Payment Standards
HUD publishes Small Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) annually by zip codes for the City of Philadelphia. SAFMRs are used to set the payment standards for each unit size. The established payment standard determines the maximum allowable subsidy levels for HCV-assisted units.
By utilizing zip codes as the basis for fair market rents, PHA hopes to provide tenants with greater ability to move into higher opportunity neighborhoods with jobs, public transportation, and good schools by offering higher rents. Additionally, PHA hopes to reduce overpayment in lower-rent areas and address high levels of voucher concentration in certain areas.
PHA currently has established four payment standard groups based on HUDs SAFMRs effective October 1, 2024:
Group 1 – Traditional Range Rents
Group 2 – Mid Range Rents
Group 3 – Opportunity Rents
Group 4 – High Opportunity Rents
