HUD HCV Guidebook § 2.7
Inapplicability of SAFMRs to Other HUD Programs (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
SAFMRs do not apply to any programs other than the HCV program, unless otherwise noted in Section 3.6 of this chapter. Other programs that use FMRs (e.g. HOME Investment Partnerships Program) continue to use metropolitan FMRs regardless of whether SAFMRs have been designated for the HCV program within the same metropolitan area. Please follow the requirements of those programs regarding the use of FMRs.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 2.7, Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) are a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)-specific tool and do not automatically extend to other federal housing programs that rely on Fair Market Rents (FMRs). Programs such as the HOME Investment Partnerships Program continue to use metropolitan-wide FMRs even when SAFMRs have been designated for the HCV program in the same area. Each program operates under its own FMR rules, and the existence of SAFMRs in a given market does not change the FMR methodology for non-HCV programs unless a specific exception applies under Section 3.6 of the same chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers participating in multiple HUD programs should be aware that, per § 2.7, the rent calculation framework can differ from one program to another even within the same metropolitan area. A compliant operator generally tracks which FMR standard—metropolitan or small-area—governs each specific program they participate in, rather than assuming that a SAFMR designation for the HCV program carries over to programs like HOME. Operators typically consult the individual program requirements referenced in § 2.7 to confirm the correct FMR basis for each funding stream.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants receiving assistance through programs other than the Housing Choice Voucher program should understand that § 2.7 limits SAFMRs to the HCV context, meaning the rent standards used to calculate their subsidy may differ from those applied to HCV participants in the same area. If a tenant believes the wrong FMR standard is being applied to their non-HCV assistance, they may raise that concern with the administering agency or consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with HUD program rules. Section 3.6 of the same guidebook chapter contains the limited exceptions to this rule and may be a useful reference when seeking clarification.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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