Payment Standards Map Effective 1/1/2025
Zip Codes from Interactive Map
44056 | 44067 | 44087 | 44141 | 44202 | 44203 | 44210 | 44216 | 44221 | 44222 | 44223 | 44224 | 44232 | 44236 | 44240 | 44250 | 44260 | 44262 | 44264 | 44278 | 44286 | 44301 | 44302 | 44303 | 44304 | 44305 | 44306 | 44307 | 44308 | 44309 | 44310 | 44311 | 44312 | 44313 | 44314 | 44316 | 44319 | 44320 | 44321 | 44325 | 44333 | 44334 | 44685 | 44720
Households with Project-Based vouchers and Shelter Plus Care vouchers will use the separate payment standards for their voucher types listed below.
On 1/1/25, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) will begin using Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs). SAFMRs are used to calculate rental assistance in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
What are SAFMRs?
SAFMR stands for “Small Area Fair Market Rent.” SAFMRs are typical rent amounts (including the cost of utilities), within a ZIP code for rental units with different numbers of bedrooms. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) establishes SAFMRs each year. You can learn more here: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/safmr
What are payment standards?
AMHA uses payment standards to calculate the maximum subsidy that AMHA will pay for your rental unit. Under the HCV program, you are generally required to pay 30% of your adjusted income for rent and utilities. AMHA then pays the rest of your rent up to either the payment standard or the gross rent (rent plus estimated utilities) of the unit – whichever is lower. For more information about this calculation, contact your certification specialist.
Effective 1/1/25, AMHA will use different payment standards for different ZIP codes in its jurisdiction.
What’s new about this approach?
Until now, AMHA based the amount it would pay toward rent for families on rental rates across Summit County. The new approach uses the localized rent in each ZIP code (the SAFMR) to determine how much assistance families are eligible to receive. HUD requires the use of this new approach for Summit County.
How will I be affected?
You will still be able to choose the unit that meets your needs (subject to AMHA requirements). However, you will be able to use your voucher in more places than would have been possible before. This includes neighborhoods with higher rents that may have high-performing schools, low levels of poverty, and access to grocery stores, parks, and other amenities. If you choose to rent in a high-cost neighborhood, you will likely receive more assistance toward rent and utilities than you would have under the old approach. If you choose to rent in a neighborhood where rents are low, you may receive less assistance toward rent and utilities under the new approach. AMHA hopes that you will make the most of this new approach to choose housing in an area that offers the most benefits for you and your household.
In the following zip codes the payment standards have been decreased for 2025: 44250, 44262, 44302, 44303, 44307 and 44311. The AMHA will only apply the decrease to your household if your household size changes or if you move to a new unit in one of these zip codes.
How can I access high-cost neighborhoods?
You can use the below resources in your search:
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Look for available units:
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Review the different payment standard amounts available by zip code:
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Review neighborhood information
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Encourage new landlords to learn more about the HCV program - they can attend a landlord orientation by contacting Clyde Elkins at 330.374.3007 X9717
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If your voucher expires in less than 30 days, AMHA’s housing resource specialist may contact you to offer assistance
