Fairfax Section 8 Calculator — Fairfax city Income Limits & Rent Estimate
Renters in Fairfax, VA often search for the Housing Choice Voucher program — commonly called Section 8. Vouchers help very low-income households afford rent in private housing. In this city or town, HUD rules are usually applied through a Public Housing Authority (PHA) serving Fairfax city.
Expanded local guide
Section 8 in Fairfax — FCRHA Vouchers, Waiting Lists & Fairfax County Housing
Local Section 8 guide for Fairfax and Fairfax County: Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) vouchers, waiting list status, payment standards, income limits, and estimated tenant rent share.
Updated September 12, 2026
Housing Authority Serving Fairfax
- Agency: Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA)
- Jurisdiction: Fairfax County and the independent City of Fairfax, VA
- Waiting list status: Opens periodically via lottery — monitor fairfaxcounty.gov/housing
- Application portal: fairfaxcounty.gov/housing
- Main office: 3700 Pender Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030
- Phone: (703) 246-5000
The Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority is the primary housing assistance agency for Virginia’s most populous jurisdiction, a county of more than 1.1 million people just outside Washington, DC. Fairfax City — a small independent city of about 25,000 residents entirely surrounded by Fairfax County — is also served by FCRHA for housing voucher purposes. The authority administers one of Virginia’s largest Housing Choice Voucher portfolios and manages a substantial portfolio of affordable and mixed-income rental properties.
Fairfax County’s proximity to federal government jobs, major defense contractors, and Amazon’s HQ2 in Arlington has made it one of the most economically dynamic — and expensive — regions in the eastern United States. This wealth paradox creates significant housing need among the county’s large immigrant workforce, hospitality employees, healthcare workers, and others whose incomes fall well below the county’s high median.
Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Fairfax County
HUD establishes income limits for the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Washington metro AMI is among the highest in the nation, driven by the concentration of federal employment, tech, and professional services industries. For 2026, this translates to relatively elevated income limit thresholds in absolute dollars, though local rents are proportionally high as well.
FCRHA uses Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs) — ZIP-code-level rent benchmarks — rather than the traditional metro-wide FMR. SAFMRs allow voucher holders in Fairfax County to lease units in higher-cost neighborhoods (Vienna, Reston, McLean) without automatically facing an out-of-pocket premium gap, improving access to opportunity-rich communities with high-performing schools and job density.
Voucher holders pay approximately 30% of adjusted monthly gross income toward rent, with FCRHA’s ZIP-based SAFMR payment standard covering the remainder. The county’s exceptional SAFMR adjustments have made Fairfax County vouchers among the most useful in Virginia for accessing desirable communities.
Run your Fairfax rent estimate →
How to Apply for Section 8 in Fairfax
- Watch for lottery announcements — FCRHA often uses a random lottery system when the waiting list opens rather than first-come, first-served; check fairfaxcounty.gov/housing for announcements and apply during any open window.
- Prepare your documentation in advance: government-issued photo ID, Social Security numbers for all household members, income verification (pay stubs, tax returns, SSI/SSDI award letters), and documentation of any qualifying preferences.
- Complete the application online through FCRHA’s applicant portal; paper applications may be available at 3700 Pender Dr for those without internet access.
- Claim any applicable preferences — FCRHA gives priority to Fairfax County residents, persons with disabilities, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness; each documented preference improves your lottery and queue position.
- Maintain your application — once placed on the waiting list, respond to all annual update requests to avoid being removed from the queue before your name is reached.
Waiting List Tips for Fairfax
- Apply simultaneously to neighboring PHAs — the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) and Arlington County’s housing programs have separate waiting lists and may offer more immediate options.
- Explore Fairfax County’s Affordable Dwelling Units (ADU) program — the county requires some market-rate developments to include income-restricted units that may be available with a shorter waiting period than FCRHA vouchers.
- Contact Fairfax County’s One Care program (703-222-0880) for emergency rental assistance and case management services while you wait.
- Search FCRHA’s managed properties — the authority’s own affordable apartment communities may have income-restricted units available more quickly than tenant-based vouchers.
HUD income limits & Fair Market Rents — Fairfax
Official HUD figures for Fairfax city (area: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area). Local PHA payment standards are often 90–110% of FMR.
Annual income limits (FY 2026)
Very low income (~50% AMI) and low income (~80% AMI) by household size. Section 8 typically prioritizes very low-income households.
| Household size | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $58,150 | $74,800 |
| 2 | $66,450 | $85,450 |
| 3 | $74,750 | $96,150 |
| 4 | $83,050 | $106,800 |
| 5 | $89,700 | $115,350 |
| 6 | $96,350 | $123,900 |
| 7 | $103,000 | $132,450 |
| 8 | $109,650 | $141,000 |
Monthly Fair Market Rents (FY 2027)
Benchmark gross rent (rent + utilities) by unit size. Use the ZIP calculator for Small Area FMRs or an estimated voucher amount.
This area uses Small Area FMRs by ZIP. County-level FMR rows may be blank — use the calculator with your ZIP code.
| Bedrooms | FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $2,111 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,204 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,438 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,107 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,658 |
Source: HUD USER API (income limits & FMR). Educational estimate only; not affiliated with HUD or any PHA. Reference fiscal year: 2026.
Fairfax Section 8 Rent Calculator & Voucher Estimate
Because Fairfax may sit in a multi-county HUD area, use our Section 8 rent calculator to check your county, HUD income limits, and estimated tenant rent share before you contact a housing authority.
Calculate Fairfax rent share & voucherHousing Choice Voucher program
A Section 8 voucher in the Fairfax area does not pay your full rent. You pay a tenant share (often about 30% of adjusted income), and the voucher covers part of the rent up to the local payment standard, which is based on HUD Fair Market Rents for Fairfax city.
Most PHAs near Fairfax run waiting lists that open only periodically. Eligibility depends on income, household size, and local preferences — not on applying first online alone.
- Project-based Section 8 — Project-based Section 8 — subsidy stays with specific buildings (different application path).
- Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — you find a unit; the voucher moves with you in many cases after initial lease-up.
- Local preferences — Local preferences — veterans, elderly, disabled, or working families may get priority on some lists.
Section 8 guides for Fairfax renters
These guides explain vouchers, income limits, and rent math for households in Fairfax and across Virginia. Each links to our calculator so you can run numbers for your ZIP.
How Section 8 HAP Is Calculated (Tenant Share vs Owner)
HAP is min(payment standard, gross rent) minus TTP. See family rent to owner, utility reimbursement, the 90–110% FMR band, and what this calculator can and cannot decide.
RentHow Much Section 8 Pays by Bedroom Size
There is no national dollar amount for a 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom voucher. Family unit size, the PHA payment standard, and your TTP decide HAP — plus the 40% first-lease rule.
PHAFind Your Public Housing Authority (PHA) for Section 8
Learn what a PHA is, how to find the housing authority for your city or county, and where to apply for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list.
ApplicationHow to Apply for Section 8 — Waiting Lists & PHA Steps
Step-by-step overview of Section 8 waiting lists, PHA applications, and what to do while you wait for a voucher.
Voucher programHousing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Explained
What the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is, how PHAs run it, and how vouchers differ from public housing.
RentSection 8 Rent Calculator — How Much Will I Pay With a Voucher?
Estimate your Section 8 tenant share (TTP), payment standard, and maximum voucher subsidy. Includes rent above payment standard examples.
Income limitsSection 8 Income Limits Explained by Household Size
HUD very low and low income limits determine Section 8 eligibility. See how limits vary by ZIP, county, metro area, and family size.
BasicsHow Section 8 Housing Works — Vouchers, PHAs & What You Pay (2026)
How Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers work in 2026 — who qualifies, how PHAs issue vouchers, how payment standards are calculated, and exactly what renters pay vs what the subsidy covers.
Apply near Fairfax
- Confirm income limits with the calculator.
- Find your PHA in our PHA Directory or the HUD contacts tool (Fairfax city).
- Join the waiting list when the PHA opens applications — many lists close for years at a time.
- When selected, find a rental at or below the payment standard and complete inspection.
Ready to apply? Download the PDF application checklist before your appointment.
FAQ — Section 8 in Fairfax
Can I use Section 8 in Fairfax, VA?
Many renters in Fairfax can apply if they meet HUD income limits and the local PHA has an open waiting list. Vouchers are portable in some cases, but you must apply through the housing authority that serves your area — often tied to Fairfax city.
How much rent will I pay with a voucher near Fairfax?
Your minimum share is the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) — typically the greater of 30% of adjusted monthly income, 10% of gross income, or a small PHA minimum. Use our calculator with your ZIP to see an estimate for Fairfax city.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in Fairfax?
Applications are handled by your local Public Housing Authority, not this website. Search HUD's PHA contact directory for authorities serving Fairfax city, then follow their waiting list instructions.
Does Fairfax have its own income limits?
HUD publishes income limits and Fair Market Rents by county or metro area. Fairfax uses the limits for Fairfax city. Enter your ZIP in our calculator to pull the current HUD figures for your household size.
Do medical bills lower Section 8 rent in Fairfax?
If your household is elderly (62+) or disabled, HUD may deduct unreimbursed medical costs above 10% of annual income, plus a family allowance. That reduces the adjusted income used for your tenant share (TTP). Run a Fairfax ZIP in the calculator; the PHA serving Fairfax city decides which receipts count.