Not enough rental comps in this area to determine how FMR aligns with current market rates.
Historical
FY 2023-2027
FMR
FY2027
Property value
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Tax rate
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Mortgage rate
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ZIP 71261 fair market rent, FY 2027
For FY 2027, HUD's Small Area Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit in ZIP 71261 (Mer Rouge, LA) is $890 a month. That is up 7.2% from $830 in FY 2026. Mer Rouge is in the Morehouse Parish, LA HUD Metro FMR Area. HUD also publishes the ZIP-level Small Area FMRs shown here, but unless the local housing authority has adopted them, vouchers are based on the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR of $892. Among 8 ZIP codes in Morehouse Parish, 71261 is tied for the 6th-highest two-bedroom rent (county range $890–$1,310). The median county two-bedroom FMR in Louisiana is $995, so ZIP 71261 is 11% below it.
FY 2027 rent by bedroom
FY 2027 fair market rent by bedroom for 71261
Bedrooms
FY 2026
FY 2027
Change
90–110% range
Studio
$630
$710
+12.7%
$639–$781
1BR
$640
$710
+10.9%
$639–$781
2BR
$830
$890
+7.2%
$801–$979
3BR
$1,150
$1,180
+2.6%
$1,062–$1,298
4BR
$1,200
$1,180
−1.7%
$1,062–$1,298
Fair market rent history, FY 2023–2027
Fair market rent by fiscal year for 71261
Fiscal year
Studio
1BR
2BR
3BR
4BR
FY 2027
$710
$710
$890
$1,180
$1,180
FY 2026
$630
$640
$830
$1,150
$1,200
FY 2025
$700
$700
$920
$1,210
$1,330
FY 2024
$650
$650
$820
$1,030
$1,230
FY 2023
$610
$610
$740
$940
$1,260
Two-bedroom rent in nearby Morehouse Parish ZIP codes
How much will Section 8 pay for a two-bedroom in ZIP 71261?
Housing authorities set voucher payment standards, normally between 90% and 110% of the FMR. With the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR of $892, which applies unless the housing authority uses Small Area FMRs, that basic range is $803 to $981 a month; under the ZIP-level Small Area FMR of $890 it would be $801 to $979. The voucher pays the lower of the payment standard or the gross rent, minus the tenant's share, which is usually about 30% of adjusted monthly income. Confirm the local housing authority's current schedule before underwriting.
Which HUD fair market rent area is ZIP 71261 in?
ZIP 71261 is in the Morehouse Parish, LA HUD Metro FMR Area. Small Area FMRs are optional here; the metro-wide two-bedroom FMR is $892.
How much did fair market rent change in ZIP 71261 for FY 2027?
The two-bedroom FMR rose 7.2%, from $830 in FY 2026 to $890 in FY 2027. Since FY 2023 it has risen 20.3%.
When do FY 2027 fair market rents take effect?
HUD's FY 2027 fair market rents took effect on October 1, 2026. When FMRs change, housing authorities generally have up to three months to bring payment standards back within 90% to 110% of the new FMR.
Source: HUD FY 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents and area FMRs. Payment-standard ranges are 90% to 110% of FMR, HUD's basic range, not a housing authority's published schedule. How payment standards are set