HUD HCV Guidebook § 7
Reevaluation of HUD-published FMRs/SAFMRs (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
PHAs may request a reevaluation of its published applicable FMR following the procedures established in
the Federal Register notice, which is typically published in August of each year.95 While the procedures
are subject to change annually, typically the reevaluation procedures require:
• The area’s PHA, or in multi-jurisdictional areas, PHA(s) representing at least half the voucher tenants
in the FMR area must agree that the reevaluation is necessary.
• The requester to supply HUD with data more recent than the American Community Survey (ACS)
data used in the calculation of the applicable year’s FMRs/SAFMRs. HUD requires data on gross
rents paid in the area for occupied standard quality rental housing units. Occupied recent mover
units provide the best data. The data delivered must be sufficient for HUD to calculate a 40th
and 50th percentile two-bedroom gross rent.
93
24 CFR § 982.402(b)(8)
94
24 CFR 982.617(c)
95
24 CFR 888.115(a)
o If this data is not available, requestors may gather this information using the survey
guidance at
www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr/NoteRevisedAreaSurveyProcedures.pdf and
www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr/PrinciplesforPHA-ConductedAreaRentSurveys.pdf
The above information was provided exclusively for informational purposes. PHAs should always follow the
instructions in the most recent Federal Register notice.Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 7, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) have a formal pathway to challenge or seek reconsideration of the Fair Market Rents (FMRs) or Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) that HUD publishes for their area. The process, governed by 24 CFR 888.115(a), generally requires agreement among PHAs representing a meaningful share of voucher tenants in the affected area, along with the submission of recent, locally gathered rental data. HUD uses this data to recalculate rent benchmarks at the 40th and 50th percentile for two-bedroom units, and the specific procedures are updated annually through a Federal Register notice typically released in August.
Plain English — not legal advice.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 7 establishes a process that can result in revised FMRs or SAFMRs for a given area, which in turn affects the payment standards PHAs set and the rents landlords participating in the voucher program may receive. Operators who believe published FMRs do not reflect actual local market conditions generally stay informed about their local PHA's position on reevaluation requests and the annual Federal Register notice cycle. Landlords participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program may find it useful to engage with their local PHA regarding whether a reevaluation under 24 CFR 888.115(a) is being considered for their area.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 7 describes a mechanism through which the rent benchmarks used in the Housing Choice Voucher program—FMRs and SAFMRs—can be formally reviewed and potentially adjusted, which can affect the range of units accessible to voucher holders. Under 24 CFR 888.115(a), this process is initiated by PHAs rather than individual tenants, but tenants who believe local FMRs are misaligned with actual market rents may raise this concern directly with their local PHA or a tenant-rights organization familiar with voucher program administration. Staying informed about the annual Federal Register notice, typically published in August, can help voucher holders understand when and how these benchmarks may be updated in their area.
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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