HOC Payment Standards 2026–27

HUD rent figures for Montgomery County, Maryland (outside Rockville)

HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs), FY2027 (effective Oct 1, 2026), across 62 ZIP codes. The 90–110% column is the basic range for the median ZIP.

20812 Glen Echo
$3,33020814 Bethesda
$3,02020815 Chevy Chase
$2,88020816 Bethesda
$3,24020817 Bethesda
$3,66020818 Cabin John
$3,66020824 Bethesda
$2,47020825 Chevy Chase
$2,47020827 Bethesda
$2,47020830 Olney
$2,47020832 Olney
$3,00020833 Brookeville
$2,58020837 Poolesville
$2,48020838 Barnesville
$2,11020839 Beallsville
$1,88020841 Boyds
$3,30020842 Dickerson
$1,88020854 Potomac
$3,66020855 Derwood
$2,92020859 Potomac
$2,47020860 Sandy Spring
$2,59020861 Ashton
$2,47020862 Brinklow
$2,47020866 Burtonsville
$2,69020868 Spencerville
$2,49020871 Clarksburg
$2,87020872 Damascus
$2,12020874 Germantown
$2,42020875 Germantown
$2,47020876 Germantown
$2,54020877 Gaithersburg
$2,38020878 Gaithersburg
$2,67020879 Gaithersburg
$2,32020880 Washington Grove
$2,52020882 Gaithersburg
$2,03020883 Gaithersburg
$2,47020884 Gaithersburg
$2,47020885 Gaithersburg
$2,47020886 Montgomery Village
$2,24020889 Bethesda
$2,98020891 Kensington
$2,47020892 Bethesda
$2,47020894 Bethesda
$2,47020895 Kensington
$2,52020896 Garrett Park
$3,35020898 Gaithersburg
$2,47020899 Gaithersburg
$1,20020901 Silver Spring
$2,18020902 Silver Spring
$2,59020903 Silver Spring
$2,34020904 Silver Spring
$2,31020905 Silver Spring
$2,41020906 Silver Spring
$2,39020907 Silver Spring
$2,47020910 Silver Spring
$2,80020911 Silver Spring
$2,47020912 Takoma Park
$2,09020914 Silver Spring
$2,47020915 Silver Spring
$2,47020916 Silver Spring
$2,47020918 Silver Spring
$2,47020993 Silver Spring
$2,470

What is the HOC payment standard?

A payment standard is the maximum monthly amount HOC uses to calculate a voucher's housing assistance for a given unit size. HOC 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 HOC'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. HOC 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 HOC's own published schedule for your actual voucher amount.

Where can I find HOC's official payment standard schedule?

HOC publishes its schedule on its website: HOC payment standards for calendar year 2026 (PDF). If you have a voucher, your briefing packet or caseworker can also confirm the amount for your unit size and ZIP code.

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 HOC'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 HOC's schedule for the ZIP of the unit, not where you live now.