PHA Directory / CMHA
CMHA Payment Standards 2026–27
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority runs the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program for Columbus and Franklin County. It sets its own payment standards — the most it will pay toward rent for each unit size — and federal rules normally require those to fall between 90% and 110% of HUD's Fair Market Rent for the area (the metro-wide FMR, or ZIP-level Small Area FMRs where the authority uses them) unless HUD approves an exception. Below are HUD's FY2027 (effective Oct 1, 2026) figures for the 42 ZIP codes in its area, the benchmark CMHA's schedule is built from.
Contact CMHA
Phone: (614) 421-6000
Address: 880 East 11th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211
HUD rents by ZIP code
2-bedroom HUD figure for each ZIP. Open a ZIP for every unit size.
$2,12043004 Blacklick
$1,85043016 Dublin
$2,18043017 Dublin
$1,97043026 Hilliard
$1,92043054 New Albany
$2,30043068 Reynoldsburg
$1,68043081 Westerville
$1,94043085 Columbus
$1,85043109 Brice
$1,47043119 Galloway
$1,72043123 Grove City
$1,62043125 Groveport
$1,55043126 Harrisburg
$1,21043201 Columbus
$1,69043202 Columbus
$1,51043203 Columbus
$1,30043204 Columbus
$1,48043205 Columbus
$1,38043206 Columbus
$1,67043207 Columbus
$1,42043209 Columbus
$1,51043210 Columbus
$1,00043211 Columbus
$1,34043212 Columbus
$1,76043213 Columbus
$1,45043214 Columbus
$1,65043215 Columbus
$2,35043217 Columbus
$1,52043219 Columbus
$1,63043220 Columbus
$1,65043221 Columbus
$1,97043222 Columbus
$1,26043223 Columbus
$1,44043224 Columbus
$1,35043227 Columbus
$1,56043228 Columbus
$1,52043229 Columbus
$1,48043230 Columbus
$1,96043231 Columbus
$1,49043232 Columbus
$1,42043235 Columbus
$1,900
Rent limits for Columbus
Not sure which authority covers an address? Use the PHA directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CMHA payment standard?
A payment standard is the maximum monthly amount CMHA uses to calculate a voucher's housing assistance for a given unit size. CMHA chooses its payment standards, and HUD rules (24 CFR 982.503) normally require them to fall between 90% and 110% of HUD's Fair Market Rent for the area (the metro-wide FMR, or ZIP-level Small Area FMRs where the authority uses them) — the "basic range". An authority can go above 110% only with an exception payment standard approved by HUD or allowed by HUD notice.
Why might CMHA's published amounts differ from the HUD figures on this page?
The figures here are HUD's FY2027 (effective Oct 1, 2026) Small Area FMRs. CMHA sets its own amounts as a percentage of these (anywhere in the 90–110% basic range), and it adopts new amounts on its own schedule. When new HUD figures would put its payment standards outside the basic range, HUD rules require the authority to revise them within three months of the new figures taking effect. Always use CMHA's own published schedule for your actual voucher amount.
Where can I find CMHA's official payment standard schedule?
On CMHA's website (https://www.cmhanet.com) or from your caseworker. Voucher holders also receive the amount for their unit size in their briefing packet.
Does a higher payment standard mean the voucher pays more of my rent?
It raises the ceiling. The housing assistance payment is the lower of the payment standard or the unit's gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities), minus your total tenant payment — usually about 30% of adjusted monthly income (24 CFR 982.505). If a unit's gross rent is above the payment standard, you pay the difference, and at initial lease-up your share can't exceed 40% of adjusted monthly income.
Why do the amounts change by ZIP code?
HUD publishes Small Area FMRs for each ZIP code in CMHA's area rather than one figure for the whole metro area. Some authorities are required to use them and others may choose to; where an authority uses them, its payment standards vary by ZIP too, so higher-rent neighborhoods get higher ceilings. Check CMHA's schedule for the ZIP of the unit, not where you live now.