Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana
St. Martin Parish has a HUD fair market rent of $1,092 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $870 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $21.00 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $1,092
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 6% less than in Louisiana
- Typical rent
- $870
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 18% less than in Louisiana
- Wage needed
- $21.00
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $43,680 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 45%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 18% less than in Louisiana
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in St. Martin Parish. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $835 | $16.06 | $33,400 |
| 1 bedroom | $971 | $18.67 | $38,840 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,092 | $21.00 | $43,680 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,375 | $26.44 | $55,000 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,607 | $30.90 | $64,280 |
HUD area: Lafayette, LA HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 4 ZIP codes in St. Martin Parish (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $920 in 70582 to $1,010 in 70517. No ZIP code is above the county's fair market rent ($1,092).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 70517 | Lafayette, LA | $770 | $900 | $1,010 | $1,270 | $1,490 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70519 | Lafayette, LA | $750 | $850 | $990 | $1,270 | $1,550 |
| 70582 | Iberia Parish, LA | $710 | $810 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,430 |
| 70582 | Lafayette, LA | $710 | $810 | $920 | $1,180 | $1,430 |
- 70517 · Lafayette, LA $1,010$1,270
- 70519 · Lafayette, LA $990$1,270
- 70582 · Iberia Parish, LA $920$1,180
- 70582 · Lafayette, LA $920$1,180
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In St. Martin Parish, 45% of renter households are in that position; in Louisiana, 55%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
45%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
4,361 households rent in St. Martin Parish
- Spend half or more of their income 27%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 17%
- Spend less than 30% 55%
Compared with the state and the country
- St. Martin 45%
- Louisiana 55%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in St. Martin Parish
HUD lists 10 properties with homes for low-income households in St. Martin Parish: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 4
- HUD-assisted
- 3
- public housing
- 3
508 homes in all; 459 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- East Side Housing Developement Public housing 330 Olivier St, Saint Martinville 70582 124 low-income homes · Run by Housing Auth. of The Town of St. Martinville · Average payment: $403 a month · Average wait: 7 months · (337) 394-6288
- La 59-2 Public housing 328 Guilbeau St, Breaux Bridge 70517 98 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the City of Breaux Bridge · Average payment: $398 a month · Average wait: 13 months · (337) 332-2808
- Cypress Gardens Apts HUD-assisted 100 Cypress Island Rd, Saint Martinville 70582 100 homes, 92 low-income · For older adults · (337) 394-5516
- South Meadows Tax credit (LIHTC) 1405 S Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Saint Martinville 70582 40 low-income homes · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1996 · For families
- Park Terrace Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 301 Willis Dr, Saint Martinville 70582 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · 2 bd: 8 · In service since 1988 · For older adults, people with disabilities
- Garden Park Tax credit (LIHTC) 800 Agnes Dr, Breaux Bridge 70517 25 low-income homes · 3 bd: 1 · In service since 2014 · For families
- Parks Housing Authority Public housing 1008 Charles St, Saint Martinville 70582 16 low-income homes · Run by Housing Authority of the Village of Parks · Average payment: $373 a month · Average wait: 34 months · (337) 444-6012
- ST. Gabriel Manor HUD-assisted 6982 Main Hwy, Saint Martinville 70582 16 low-income homes · For older adults · (337) 394-4515
- St. Martin Villa HUD-assisted 200 Willis Dr, Saint Martinville 70582 16 low-income homes · For older adults · (337) 394-4928
- Armentine Cove Tax credit (LIHTC) 338 Armentine Cv, Breaux Bridge 70517 41 homes · 4 bd: 1 · In service since 2003
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in St. Martin Parish
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 5 agencies serve in St. Martin Parish. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
-
Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
-
Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $19,000 | $31,650 | $50,600 |
| 2 people | $21,700 | $36,150 | $57,800 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $40,650 | $65,050 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $45,150 | $72,250 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $48,800 | $78,050 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $52,400 | $83,850 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $56,000 | $89,600 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $59,600 | $95,400 |
Area median income: $90,300. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Lafayette, LA HUD Metro FMR Area. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $752 – $919
- 1 bedroom $874 – $1,068
- 2 bedrooms $983 – $1,201
- 3 bedrooms $1,238 – $1,513
- 4 bedrooms $1,446 – $1,768
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- ST. Martin Parish Police Jury Section 8 vouchers · 346 vouchers (337) 394-2246 ST. Martin Parish Police Jury: jtyler@stmartinparish.net
- Housing Auth. of The Town of St. Martinville Public housing · 124 public housing units (337) 394-6288 Housing Auth. of The Town of St. Martinville: hasm@bellsouth.net
- Housing Authority of the City of Breaux Bridge Public housing · 98 public housing units (337) 332-2808 Housing Authority of the City of Breaux Bridge: bbhousingauthority@gmail.com
- St. Martinville City Section 8 vouchers · 53 vouchers (337) 394-2230
- Housing Authority of the Village of Parks Public housing · 16 public housing units (337) 444-6012 Housing Authority of the Village of Parks: parksh084@gmail.com
Housing agencies in Louisiana Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in Louisiana
What Louisiana law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 5 days
- La. Code Civ. Proc. art. 4701
- How much notice before a rent increase?
- 10 calendar days
- La. Civ. Code art. 2728(2)
- Repair and deduct from the rentLa. Civ. Code art. 2694
Help
Where to get help with rent in St. Martin Parish
These are the nearest HUD-approved agencies. They counsel for free or at low cost.
-
Saint Mary Community Action Agency, Inc.
1407 Barrow St, Franklin · 23 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Budget and financial counseling
- and 4 more
-
Lafayette Consolidated Government Neighborhood Counseling Services
111 Shirley Picard Dr, Lafayette · 25 miles away
- Mortgage delinquency and default
- Mortgage delinquency workshops
- and 9 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in St. Martin Parish. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in Louisiana, the average home bill was $141 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$2,184
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $1,092
- Security deposit
- $1,092
- Total
- $2,184
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in St. Martin Parish?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $835; 1 bedroom: $971; 2 bedrooms: $1,092; 3 bedrooms: $1,375; 4 bedrooms: $1,607. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in St. Martin Parish?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($1,092) without spending more than 30% of income takes $21.00 an hour full time, or $43,680 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in St. Martin Parish?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $45,150 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in St. Martin Parish?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $983 and $1,201 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in St. Martin Parish?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $920 in 70582 to $1,010 in 70517. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in St. Martin Parish?
HUD lists 10 properties with homes for low-income households in St. Martin Parish: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in St. Martin Parish?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In St. Martin Parish, 45% of renter households are in that position; in Louisiana, 55%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).