SUPPORTING STATEMENT
U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Census Bureau
Housing Vacancy Survey
A. Justification
1. Necessity of Information Collection
The purpose of this request for review is to obtain clearance for the collection
of demographic information in the Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS) beginning in
August 2011. The current clearance expires July 31, 2011. Title 13, United States Code, Section 182, and Title 29, USC Section 1, authorize the collection of the HVS. The HVS has been conducted since 1956 and serves a broad array of data users as described in paragraph A.2 below.
2. Needs and Uses
The U.S. Census Bureau collects the HVS data for a sample of vacant housing units identified in the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) sample and provide the only quarterly statistics on rental vacancy rates, and home ownership rates for the United States, the four census regions, inside vs. outside metropolitan areas (MSAs), the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the 75 largest MSAs. We obtain the rental and homeowner vacancy rate calculations from the data we collect in question >TENUR-scrn< on the CPS instrument, and question >HVSSTA< on the HVS portion of the CPS instrument (see Attachments A and B). Private and public sector organizations use these rates extensively to gauge and analyze the housing market.
In addition, the rental vacancy rate is a component of the index of leading economic indicators published by the Department of Commerce. It is used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), National Association of Home Builders, Federal Reserve Board (FRB), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Department of Treasury, and the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA).
Policy analysts, program managers, budget analysts, and Congressional staff use data obtained from the remaining questions that do not deal specifically with the vacancy rate to advise the executive and legislative branches of government with respect to number and characteristics of units available for occupancy and the suitability of housing initiatives. These characteristics are as follows:
HVSYR - Year structure built
HVSNUM - Units in structure
HVSRM - Rooms in unit
HVSBD - Bedrooms in unit
HVSPLB - Complete plumbing facilities
HVSKIT - Complete kitchen facilities
HVSBTH - Bathrooms in unit
HVSAC - Air conditioning
Public and private sector organizations use data from questions >HVSOCC< through >HVSPRC< for evaluating the housing market with regard to supply, cost, and affordability at various points in time. The following questions contain this information:
HVSOCC - Occupancy status
HVSVAC - Duration of vacancy
HVSSTA - Vacancy status of unit
HVSRNT - Monthly rent asked
HVSUTL - Utilities included in rent
HVSCOM - Commercial establishment on property
HVSPRC - Sales price asked
The Census Bureau produces a press release, "Census Bureau Reports on Residential Vacancies and Home Ownership,” on a quarterly basis (Attachment C). In addition, we place the HVS data on the Internet for users to access. The Internet address for the HVS data is <www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/hvs/hvs.html>. Several other government agencies use these data on a continuing basis. For example, the Bureau of Economic Analysis uses the HVS data in calculating consumer expenditures for housing as a component of the gross domestic product; the Department of Housing and Urban Development relies on the HVS data to measure the adequacy of the supply of rental and homeowner units and works with the White House in measuring homeownership for minorities. The National Association of Home Builders, the National Association of Realtors, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Reserve Board, the Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) are among the many users in the private sector who routinely use the HVS data in making policy decisions relating to the housing market. In addition, investment firms use the HVS data to analyze market trends and for economic forecasting.
Further evidence of the intense interest from housing analysts and economists on the HVS, is the number of Internet hits. Month in and month out, the HVS is the most visited website in the entire division, averaging 190,000 visits per month in 2010.
The continuation of the HVS ensures the historical continuity of a data series that began in 1956. If eliminated, both public and private organizations would not have the data to evaluate housing markets with regard to housing vacancies, the level of home ownership, and housing inventory estimates by tenure and vacancy status.
Information quality is an integral part of the pre-dissemination review of the information disseminated by the Census Bureau (fully described in the Census Bureau’s Information Quality Guidelines). Information quality is also integral to the information collections conducted by the Census Bureau and is incorporated into the clearance process required by the Paperwork Reduction Act.
3. Use of Information Technology
The Census Bureau is using the most improved method of data collection available to reduce burden. Beginning in January 1994, we began conducting the CPS/HVS using computer-assisted interviewing. One of the main objectives was to keep the respondent burden as low as possible while increasing the quality of the data collected. The HVS is a portion of the automated CPS instrument.
In order to keep the respondent burden as low as possible, while maximizing the relevancy and reliability of the data collected through the redesigned CPS, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Census Bureau engaged in lengthy research and experimental activities. These activities involved cognitive research in laboratory settings, considerable field experimentation with different versions of the survey questionnaire, consultations with various experts, and debriefings of the actual interviews.
4. Efforts to Identify Duplication
There is no other comparable source of quarterly data on national, regional, state, and metropolitan area vacancy rates, home ownership rates, housing inventory estimates, and rent and sales prices of available units.
The Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division of the Census Bureau reviewed many studies and surveys conducted by both government agencies and the private sector that related to the data described in paragraph A.2. The American Housing Survey (AHS)-National sample collects national and regional data on characteristics of the vacant rental and homeowner inventories but only on a biannual basis. The American Community Survey (ACS) information is tabulated annually, but not quarterly, and due to differences in collection methods, the vacancy rates are not comparable to the HVS. The HVS is the only statistical effort of its type that produces quarterly national estimates of these data on a continuing basis.
A number of questions in this supplement may appear in the American Community Survey (ACS) and in other demographic surveys. However, the comprehensive set of questions in the HVS does not duplicate any other single information collection, and ensures the historical continuity of a data series that began in 1956.
5. Minimizing Burden
The collection of the HVS data does not involve small businesses or other small entities.
6. Consequences of Less Frequent Collection
We conduct the HVS every month in order to produce high quality statistics on a quarterly basis. Less frequent collection would require a significant increase in the CPS sample size to ensure an adequate number of vacant units are identified, or would force us to publish these statistics on a less frequent basis. The demand for housing, as well as selling price and rent asked, changes dramatically with general economic fluctuations. Less frequent publication could hide many of the trends in the housing market that shift over a relatively short period of time. In today’s environment, with regard to the mortgage market and housing supply and demand, our current CPS/HVS measurements are as important as ever.
7. Special Circumstances
We collect these data in a manner consistent with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidelines with the exception that we conduct the survey more frequently than quarterly. We collect the data monthly because the housing market changes quite frequently; therefore, the most current data are needed to monitor these changes.
8. Consultations Outside the Agency
The following person from outside the Census Bureau is involved in continuing consultations:
Carolyn Lynch, Ph.D.
Economist, Housing and Demographic Analysis Division
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Room 8218
Washington, DC 20410
202-402-5910
The Housing Statistics Users Group advises the Census Bureau on housing issues on a regular basis. On occasion, this group has met to discuss the HVS. This group has supported the publication of vacancy rates for states and MAs and home ownership rates by age of householder and by family type.
In addition to the above, a statement soliciting comments for improving the CPS data
is prominently placed in all Census Bureau publications that cite the CPS data. We include a similar statement in the technical documentation that accompanies the microdata files. Additionally, we published a notice of our intent to request clearance for the HVS in the January 20, 2011 edition (Vol. 76, No. 13, Pages 3610-3611) of the "Federal Register." We received two comments in reaction to this notice. One comment, from an anonymous citizen, voiced concern over duplication of surveys. The other comment, from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, strongly supported the continued collection of the HVS.
The advance letter (Attachment D) provides respondents with an address at the Census Bureau so that they can submit general comments on the survey, specifically, those regarding respondent burden.
Finally, representatives from other government agencies and the private sector contact the Census Bureau regularly regarding the HVS. Since the HVS is a historical series, it is generally agreed that no major modifications that would weaken long-term comparability should be made to its content.
9. Paying Respondents
We do not pay respondents or provide them with gifts.
10. Assurance of Confidentiality
We conduct the HVS in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and the OMB Circular A-130. New and returning households receive an advance letter approximately one week before the start of CPS interviewing. These letters contain the information required by the Privacy Act of 1974 (see Attachment D) and advise the respondent that this is a voluntary survey. The respondents for units eligible for the HVS additionally receive a fact sheet (see Attachment E) which explains that the HVS
is part of the monthly CPS, in addition to providing other information about the
survey. Interviewers provide the pamphlet, "The U.S. Census Bureau Respects Your Privacy and Keeps Your Personal Information Confidential," to households whenever necessary (see Attachment F). All information given by respondents to Census Bureau employees is held in the strictest confidence as guaranteed by Title 13, United States Code, Section 9. Each interviewer has taken an oath to this effect and is subject to a jail penalty and/or a fine if he/she discloses any information.
11. Justification for Sensitive Questions
We do not ask sensitive questions in the HVS.
12. Estimate of Hour Burden
There are approximately 7,500 units identified in the monthly CPS as eligible for the HVS. This results in 90,000 responses annually. The respondent burden for the interview averages three minutes (.0514 hours) based on the previous HVS interviews. The total estimated respondent burden is 4,626 hours for fiscal year (FY) 2011.
13. Estimate of Cost Burden
There are no costs to the respondents other than that of their time to respond.
14. Cost to Federal Government
The total estimated cost to the federal government for the HVS in FY 2011 is $893,000. The cost is borne entirely by the Census Bureau.
15. Reasons for Change in Burden
There is an increase in the burden. The burden hours estimated in 2008 was 4,278 but is now estimated to be 4,626 hours in 2011. This is due to an increase in the number of vacant housing units in the sample since the last submission.
16. Project Schedule
HVS QUARTERLY DATA
|
|
Activity |
Time Frame |
Conduct Interviews |
Monthly, Week of 19th |
Produce Tabulations |
Three Weeks After Interviewing for Quarter |
Complete and Release an Advanced Press Release Containing:
|
Within 19 Working Days of End of Quarter |
Place HVS Data On Our Internet Web Site |
Within 19 Working Days of End of Quarter |
HVS YEARLY DATA |
|
Activity |
Time Frame |
Publish Annual HVS on the Internet. We show:
Vacancy and Homeownership Rates for:
1. United States 2. Regions 3. The 50 States 4. District of Columbia 5. Selected MSAs
Homeownership Rates by:
1. Age of Householder 2. Family Status for the United States and Regions 3. Race and Ethnicity
Data of Vacant Units |
Published in February every year. |
17. Request to Not Display Expiration Date
Respondents= length of participation in the HVS is not likely to coincide with the expiration date of this clearance. To avoid confusion that may arise from this fact and given that the HVS has been in place for over 50 years and the basic HVS interview has remained relatively unchanged over the past 15 years, we request a waiver of the requirement to display the expiration date.
18. Exceptions to the Certification
There are no exceptions to the certification.
| File Type | application/msword |
| File Title | SUPPORTING STATEMENT |
| Author | DSMD |
| Last Modified By | marsh007 |
| File Modified | 2011-03-21 |
| File Created | 2011-02-07 |