The Lakeland Housing Authority is preparing to implement updated Housing Choice Voucher payment standards for Fiscal Year 2027 following the publication of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s final Fair Market Rents for the Lakeland-Winter Haven, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
HUD’s Fiscal Year 2027 Fair Market Rents establish the following monthly rental benchmarks:
- Efficiency: $1,258
- One-Bedroom: $1,338
- Two-Bedroom: $1,608
- Three-Bedroom: $2,212
- Four-Bedroom: $2,688
In accordance with 24 CFR 982.503, public housing agencies establish payment standard amounts by unit size for each applicable Fair Market Rent area. Lakeland Housing Authority staff recommend establishing the general Fiscal Year 2027 payment standards at 95% of the applicable HUD Fair Market Rents, effective October 1, 2026.
Under the proposed standards, payment standard amounts would be approximately:
- Efficiency: $1,195
- One-Bedroom: $1,271
- Two-Bedroom: $1,528
- Three-Bedroom: $2,101
- Four-Bedroom: $2,554
The updated payment standards would apply immediately to new admissions and new leases beginning October 1, 2026. For families already participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, implementation will occur in accordance with applicable HUD requirements and the Lakeland Housing Authority Administrative Plan.
Reasonable Accommodation Exceptions
Lakeland Housing Authority recognizes that some families may require a higher payment standard as a reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability.
When appropriate, the Housing Authority may approve an exception payment standard consistent with 24 CFR 982.503 and other applicable HUD requirements. A separate schedule identifies amounts up to 110% of the applicable Fair Market Rent for use as reference points when reviewing reasonable-accommodation requests.
These 110% reference amounts are not automatically available or applicable to every family. Each request for an exception payment standard must be reviewed individually and approved in accordance with HUD regulations and the Lakeland Housing Authority Administrative Plan.
The Fiscal Year 2027 payment standards are intended to help the Housing Authority continue supporting participating families in securing appropriate rental housing while maintaining compliance with federal Housing Choice Voucher Program requirements.
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