7 American Housing Survey (AHS)

7.1 Organization

US Census Bureau

Longitudinal survey of occupied and vacant housing units
Used to monitor housing supply and demand, conditions and costs
Used to assess housing needs and develop housing policies
Core data includes housing size, composition, vacancies, fuel usage, physical condition, occupant characteristics, equipment breakdowns, improvements, mortgages, costs, value
Topical data varies, but recently has included health and safety hazards, food insecurities, housing counseling services, community opportunities, public transportation, neighborhood characteristics, emergency/disaster preparedness, community involvement, doubled-up households

Annually 1973-2005, Biennially 2005-present

Household, person, mortgage, or home improvement project (4 relational databases or one flat file)

Nationally-representative longitudinal panel sample with 2-year cycle
Oversample 15 largest metropolitan areas and HUD-assisted housing units
Split sample, each sample getting a different set of topical questions, resulting in 3 sets of weights
Housing units are revisited every two years until a new sample is drawn
Computer-assisted personal interviewing

Free for download

Majorly redesigned in 2015, with a new sample drawn for first time since 1985, along with major modification of questionnaire and methodology
Topical modules for 2015 (most recent year available) are Arts and Culture, Food Security, Housing Counseling, and Healthy Homes