Section 8 · CA
Section 8 rent — Santa Cruz County, CA (FY2026)
How much Section 8 pays toward rent in Santa Cruz 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 Cruz 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 | $3,179 | $2,861 – $3,497 |
| 1 Bedroom | $3,298 | $2,968 – $3,628 |
| 2 Bedroom | $4,214 | $3,793 – $4,635 |
| 3 Bedroom | $5,377 | $4,839 – $5,915 |
| 4 Bedroom | $5,659 | $5,093 – $6,225 |
Small Area FMR applies to some ZIPs in this county and may differ from the county figure above. ZIPs with Small Area FMR: 95033, 95076.
At a glance
- 2-Bedroom FMR
- $4,214/mo
- Payment standard
- $3,793 – $4,635
- Effective
- FY2026
Frequently asked questions
What does Section 8 pay for a 2-bedroom in Santa Cruz County, CA?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Santa Cruz County is $4,214. The local PHA sets its payment standard between 90% and 110% of that figure, so the voucher can range from $3,793 to $4,635 before the tenant's own share.
How is the Section 8 payment standard set in Santa Cruz 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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