Payment Standards

Families participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program benefit from a subsidy each month to help pay their rent and utilities. The subsidy varies for each family depending upon the family's size and income.

The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has mandated that PHAs in selected metropolitan areas, including Decatur Housing Authority, begin using Fair Market Rents (FMRs) based on zip codes.

In accordance with federal regulations, housing authorities set payment standards that are between 90 percent and 110 percent of the Small Area Fair Market Rents. Northwest Georgia Housing Authority's payment standard is 120 percent of FMR. The Payment Standard is the maximum amount of assistance a family can receive.

Payment standards are not the maximum rent that can be charged by landlords. This is the maximum amount of assistance a family can receive, but the owner's monthly payment from the housing authority may be different. The amount of rent the family can afford is based on the family's income.

Regardless of the FMR or payment standard, the amount of rent an owner can charge must be "reasonable" in comparison to unassisted rental units in the neighborhood with similar amenities.

Payment Standards

2025 Payment Standards

Floyd County

0 Bedroom: $996
1 Bedroom: $1,086
2 Bedroom: $1,427
3 Bedroom: $1,799
4 Bedroom: $2,078

Polk County

0 Bedroom: $848
1 Bedroom: $854
2 Bedroom: $1,121
3 Bedroom: $1,412
4 Bedroom: $1,486

The FMRs for the Unit sizes larger than four bedrooms are calculated by adding fifteen percent (15%) to the four-bedroom FMR for each extra bedroom.