Torrance’s Housing Choice Voucher program is about to change the way it calculates rental-assistance payment standards.

Effective August 18, 2026, the Torrance Public Housing Agency will implement Small Area Fair Market Rents, commonly called SAFMRs, as required by the U

.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The important difference is geography.

Instead of one broad payment standard applying across the area, the amount will vary according to a rental unit’s ZIP code and bedroom count.

For example, the City currently lists the new two-bedroom payment standards at:

90501: $2,666
90503: $3,177
90504: $3,033
90505: $3,123.

The payment standard is used in calculating the housing-assistance payment made on behalf of a participating household. Importantly, the City explains that this figure is not the maximum rent a landlord is allowed to charge.

The change is relevant on both sides of a rental agreement.

Voucher holders may find that the assistance available for a qualifying property differs depending on its location, while landlords participating in the program will need to understand the applicable payment standard for their property’s ZIP code.

Residents currently using Torrance-administered Section 8 assistance—or property owners who rent to voucher holders—should review the new table before the August 18 effective date.

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