Alternative Methods For Calculating Fair Market Rents (FMRs) in Rental Markets With Rapidly Rising Rents

HUD is soliciting proposals for research that will accomplish the following: Define “rental markets with rapidly rising rents” Identify alternative calculations to generate FMRs that more closely track market conditions in rapidly rising rental markets than current methods. This may include, but is not limited to, alternative sources of gross rent data and/or alternative calculation methodologies using existing data. The primary objective of this project is to identify better methods for calculating FMRs for markets in disequilibrium where rents are rising rapidly and FMRs calculated using current methods coupled with current payment standard authority are insufficient to enable Housing Choice Voucher families to find and lease suitable units within the search time allowed. In addition to the primary objective, this research should consider whether the alternative calculation methods should be applied to the calculation of Fair Market Rents in all types of housing markets.