The board of commissioners for the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority voted unanimously ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday to adopt new Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher payment standards for Fiscal Year 2026 – setting the maximum rent and utility support the authority can provide to voucher holders

The standards are based off the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's recalculation of fair market rent, which GHURA executive director Elizabeth Napoli says has seen a noticeable drop. She noted, "Fair market rent reduction – that’s fair market rent housing cost for Guam – has been recalculated for 2026 and has reduced 10% from the prior year’s fair market rent.”

With rent and utility costs shifting – including a 41% decrease in the Guam Power Authority’s fuel recovery charge – officials say payment thresholds are being adjusted to reflect the current market, while ensuring access to stable housing.ghura is also expanding assistance for residence with disabilities or under the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program – allowing exceptions of up to 120% of fair market rent

“The exception payment standard schedule is set at no more than 120% of the published FMR," said Napoli.

However, the public won't feel these changes just yet. Section 8 administrator Nicole Alejandro clarifying that current voucher holders will not see adjustments in 2026 – only after their second recertification cycle. “It doesn’t apply on their next certification. It applies on their second certification. So, they would not see this effect until 2027," she said.

The measure passed unanimously.