Section 8 · CA
Section 8 rent — Santa Barbara County, CA (FY2026)
How much Section 8 pays toward rent in Santa Barbara County, CA, shown as HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent by bedroom count. The local housing authority sets its payment standard between 90% and 110% of this figure, so the actual voucher amount for a unit can be up to 10% above or below it.
Section 8 rent by bedroom
FY2026 Fair Market Rent in Santa Barbara County, CA, and the 90-110% payment standard band the local PHA can set for each bedroom count.
| Bedroom | FY2026 FMR | Payment standard (90-110%) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $2,459 | $2,213 – $2,705 |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,746 | $2,471 – $3,021 |
| 2 Bedroom | $3,124 | $2,812 – $3,436 |
| 3 Bedroom | $4,075 | $3,668 – $4,483 |
| 4 Bedroom | $4,647 | $4,182 – $5,112 |
Small Area FMR applies to some ZIPs in this county and may differ from the county figure above. ZIPs with Small Area FMR: 93013.
At a glance
- 2-Bedroom FMR
- $3,124/mo
- Payment standard
- $2,812 – $3,436
- Effective
- FY2026
Frequently asked questions
What does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in Santa Barbara County, CA?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Santa Barbara County is $3,124. The local PHA sets its payment standard between 90% and 110% of that figure, so the voucher can range from $2,812 to $3,436 before the tenant's own share.
How is the Section 8 payment standard set in Santa Barbara County?
Each public housing authority chooses a payment standard between 90% and 110% of the county FMR published by HUD. The PHA then pays payment standard minus the tenant's roughly 30% share, capped at the contract rent.
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