Form 1 Protocol and Questionnaire

Cognitive Testing of 2019 AHS – Housing Insecurity Protocol

Cognitive Interview Protocol Guide

PARTICIPANT ID #: _________________________ DATE: ____ / ____ / 2018

COGNITIVE INTERVIEWER NAME: ______________________________

START TIME: ______: ______ AM / PM

SECTION I. INTRODUCTION
	(Cognitive Interviewer: Read/Paraphrase) A. Hello, I’m [NAME OF COGNITIVE INTERVIEWER]. I work for the Census Bureau. Thanks for agreeing to help me today. Let me begin by telling you a little more about what we’ll be doing today. The United States Census Bureau counts the population in the U.S. and also conducts various kinds of surveys. One of these is a national survey called the American Housing Survey (AHS). Today, with your help, we will be testing some new questions that were developed for a follow-up survey to the AHS; this follow-up survey is about Housing Insecurity and would be asked of some households based on their reported income in the AHS. I will first ask you some survey questions and you’ll answer the questions just like you would if you were doing it with an interviewer in a regular survey. We are interested in how you understand these questions and how these questions work for you. Our goal here is to get a better idea how well the new questions work with people such as yourself before we actually use them in the survey. So the purpose of our session today is to collect your thoughts and opinions on these new questions and materials. I just want to remind you that I'm only asking for your thoughts and opinions on these materials. There is no right or wrong answer. We are simply trying to make sure the question wording is clear and easy for most people to understand. Your feedback will be very useful for helping make sure these questions will make sense to other people. Your participation in this interview and the review of the materials is very important because it will help the Census Bureau with improving these questions. Do you have any questions before we begin?” [Wait for questions, then turn page] (Cognitive Interviewer: Read) PLACE THE CONSENT FORM IN FRONT OF PARTICIPANT

Before we start, I would like you to read over the document in front of you. This document explains a little bit about this interview and provides information about your rights as a participant. It also asks for your permission to have this session audio recorded.

[IF OBSERVER PRESENT]: I also want to let you know that this interview is being observed by [DESCRIBE OBSERVER’S ROLE: e.g., someone who works on the American Housing Survey]. They are observing the interview because they are also interested in how the questions work for people like you.

Please ask me any questions you have about this document. Once you have finished reading the document, please sign it.

PARTICIPANT READS AND SIGNS FORM

B. IF PARTICIPANT PROVIDES CONSENT TO HAVE THE SESSION AUDIO-TAPED: I will now turn on the audio recorder.

TEST AUDIO RECORDER AND TURN IT ON AGAIN AFTER TEST

SECTION II. INTERVIEW CONSENT

SECTION III. COGNITIVE INTERVIEW

READ: For the upcoming questions, I am interested in your answers, but I am also interested in the process you go through in your mind when you answer the questions. So I’d like you to think aloud as you answer the questions, just tell me everything you are thinking about as you go about answering each question. From time to time, I’ll ask you some questions about your answers, or about the questions themselves.

THINK-ALOUD PRACTICE

Let’s begin with a practice question. Remember to try to think aloud as you answer.

Practice Question 1. How many windows are there in the house or apartment where you live? WINDOWS _____________

[IF NEEDED:] Try to visualize the place where you live, and think about how many windows there are in that place. As you count up the windows, tell me what you are seeing and thinking about.

PROBES:

• How did you come up with that answer?

• Tell me more about that. Why did you say [ANSWER]?

• I noticed that you hesitated. Tell me what you were thinking.

Okay, let’s get started. Please answer the questions as you would if an interviewer had come to your home. I will now begin with the first set of questions in the survey.

NOTE TO Cognitive interviewer: Start Interview. Note any problems /comments /questions /puzzled looks/exasperated sighs respondent has during the interview. When necessary, probe on these after the respondent answers the question.

Screener Module

A1

Before we begin, we would like to ask you a few questions about your home.

1. HTYPE

Is this unit a house, an apartment, a manufactured/mobile home, or some other type of

residence? (Refer to separate Help Screen if needed)

1.  House

2.  Apartment

3.  Manufactured/mobile home – skip to Q3. TENURE

4.  Other residence

2. STYPE

Are your living quarters in a…

(Read categories until “yes” reply is received. Refer to separate Help Screen if needed)

1.  1 unit building, detached from any other building?

2.  1 unit building, attached to one or more buildings?

3.  Building with two or more apartments?

4.  Manufactured/Mobile Home?

3. TENURE

Is this [^HTYPEFILL]:

[Read categories until a “yes” reply is received:]

1.  Owned or being bought by someone in your household? - Proceed Q4. NUMMORTG

Skip to Q5a. FNAME/LNAME

2.  Rented?

3.  Occupied without payment of rent?

4. NUMMORTG

How many mortgages or loans of any type do you have on this property? Include all regular mortgages, home equity credit lines, or any loan that is secured by the value of this [^HTYPEFILL].
- Enter 7 for 7 or more.

- Enter 0 for Reverse Annuity Mortgages or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages.
__________ ________________________________________

5a. FNAME/LNAME

What are the names of all persons living or staying here? Start with the name of the person, or one of the persons, who owns or rents this home. Who else is living or staying here?
__________

 DK

 RF

5b. USUAL

[Do/Does] [you/NAME] usually live here?

Proceed to Q6. URE

1.  Yes – Skip to Q7. MSLODG
2.  No

 DK

 RF

6. URE

[Do/Does] [you/NAME] have some other place where [you/he/she] usually lives?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

7. MSLODG

Have I missed any lodgers, boarders, or persons you employ who live here?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

8. MSOTHR

Have I missed anyone else staying here?
1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

If anyone was missed (Q7. MSLODG = “Yes” or Q8. MSOTHR = “Yes”), proceed to Q9. FNAME/LNAME.

Otherwise, skip to Q11. AGE.

9. FNAME/LNAME

Who else is living or staying here?
__________

 DK

 RF

10. USUAL

[Do/Does] [you/NAME] usually live here?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

11. AGE

What is [your/NAME’s] age?

__________

 DK

 RF

12. RRP

What is [your/NAME’s] relationship to [Reference person First & Last Name]?

1.  Opposite-sex husband/wife/spouse 10.  Brother or Sister

2.  Opposite-sex unmarried partner 11.  Parent-in-law

3.  Same-sex husband/wife/spouse 12.  Son-in-law or daughter-in-law

4.  Same-sex unmarried partner 13.  Other relative

5.  Biological son or daughter 14.  Foster child

6.  Adopted son or daughter 15.  Housemate/roommate

7.  Stepson or stepdaughter 16.  Roomer/boarder

8.  Grandchild 17.  Other nonrelative

9.  Father or Mother

 DK

 Ref

If anyone is a nonrelative of the reference person (Q12. RRP = 15-17), proceed to Q13. RELB. Ask this for each nonrelative.

Otherwise, skip to Q14. WHENYR/WHENMON.

13. RELB

Does anybody related to [you/NAME] live here?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

14. WHENYR/WHENMON

When did you move to this ^HTYPEFILL?

[Enter Year & Month]

______________________________

 DK

 RF

If respondent moved to current home less than two years ago (based on Q14 WHENYR/WHENMON), proceed to Q15. XTEN.

Otherwise, skip to Affordability Module.

15. XTEN

Now about where you lived just before moving here. Was that home –

1.  Owned or being bought by someone in that household?

2.  Rented?

3.  Occupied without payment of rent?

 DK

 RF

Affordability Module

16. HISTRESS

On a scale of one to 10 where one means you have “little or no stress” and 10 means you have “a great deal of stress,” how would you rate your average level of stress during the past month? [Enter 1 to 10 rating]

__________

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “stress” mean to you in this question?

17. HIHEALTH

Would you say your health in general is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?

1.  Excellent

2.  Very good

3.  Good

4.  Fair

5.  Poor

 DK

 RF

If respondent rents their home (Q3. TENURE = “Rented”) or has a mortgage (Q4. NUMMORTG > 0), proceed to Q18. HIAFFORD.

Otherwise, skip to Q27. HIBLLPAY.

18. HIAFFORD

Overall, in the last 12 months how difficult was it for you to afford your [rent/mortgage] payments?

Proceed to Q19. HIDIFFPAY

1.  Very difficult

2.  Moderately difficult

3.  A little difficult

Skip to Q21. HISTPAY

4.  Not at all difficult

 DK

 RF

19. HIDIFFPAY

How often in the last 12 months was it difficult to afford your [rent/mortgage]?

1.  Only 1 or 2 months

2.  Some months but not every month

3.  Almost every month

4.  Every month

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

How easy or difficult did you find this to answer?

20. HINCOME

Was this difficulty a result of unsteady income?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “unsteady income” mean to you in this question?

21. HISTPAY

How often in the last 12 months would you say you were worried or stressed about having enough money to pay your [rent/mortgage]?

Proceed to Q22. HISTNOW

1.  Always

2.  Usually

3.  Sometimes

4.  Rarely

Skip to Q23. HIHALF

5.  Never

 DK

 RF

22. HISTNOW

How worried are you right now about not being able to pay your [rent/mortgage] payment? Are you …

1.  Very worried

2.  Moderately worried

3.  A little worried

4.  Not at all worried

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

How easy or difficult did you find this to answer?

23. HIHALF

In a typical month, is the [rent/mortgage] payment more than half of your household’s monthly income?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What types of income did you include in your “household’s monthly income?” Was there anything you did not include?

(If applicable:) Did you answer based on only your share of the [rent/mortgage]? Or based on the total for everyone in the household? Or something else?

24. HIBEHIND

In the last 12 months, was there ever a time when [you/you and your household] were behind in making a [rent/mortgage] payment?

Skip to Q27. HIBLLPAY

1.  Yes – Proceed to Q25. HIBFREQ
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “behind” in making a payment mean to you in this question?

25. HIBFREQ

How often in the last 12 months would you say [you/you and your household] were behind on your [rent/mortgage] payments?

1.  Only 1 or 2 months

2.  Some months but not every month

3.  Almost every month

4.  Every month

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

How easy or difficult did you find this to answer?

(If applicable:) Did you answer based on only your share of the [rent/mortgage]? Or based on the total for everyone in the household? Or something else?

26. HICTCHUP

Are [you/you and your household] currently caught up on your [rent/mortgage] payments?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “caught up” mean to you in this question?

(If applicable:) Did you answer based on only your share of the [rent/mortgage]? Or based on the total for everyone in the household? Or something else?

27. HIBLLPAY

Now I have some questions about your electricity bills. In the last 12 months, has there been a time when [you were/your household was] behind on your electricity bill?

1.  Yes – Proceed to Q28. HIBLLPAY2
2.  No

Skip to instructions beneath Q29. HISHUTOFF

3.  NA / Not responsible for electricity bill

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

(If applicable:) Did you answer based on only your share of the electricity bill? Or based on that for everyone in the household? Or something else?

28. HIBLLPAY2

In the last 12 months, have [you/you and your household] received a notice that your electricity would be shut off because the bill was not paid?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

29. HISHUTOFF

In the last 12 months, have [you/you and your household] had your electricity shut off because the bill was not paid?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

If respondent was “always/usually/sometimes worried” about payment in last 12 months (Q21. HISTPAY = 1-3), AND “very/moderately worried” about it right now (Q22. HISTNOW = 1-2), …

• AND was not behind on electricity bill in last 12 months (Q27. HIBLLPAY ne 1), then proceed to Q30. HIUTLPAY.

• AND was behind on electricity bill in last 12 months (Q27. HIBLLPAY = 1), then skip to Q31. HIBUYFD.

Otherwise, skip to Q37. HIHSERV.

30. HIUTLPAY

In the last 12 months, has it ever been extremely difficult for [you/you and your household] to pay for your utility bills?

1.  Yes
2.  No

3.  NA / Not responsible for utility bills

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

31. HIBUYFD

In the last 12 months, has it ever been extremely difficult for [you/you and your household] to buy food?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

If household has any children under 18 years old (based on Q11. AGE), proceed to Q32. HIKCARE.

Otherwise, skip to Q33. HIMEDPAY.

32. HIKCARE

In the last 12 months, has it ever been extremely difficult for [you/you and your household] to pay for child care?

1.  Yes
2.  No

3.  NA / Not responsible for child care

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “child care” mean to you in this question?

33. HIMEDPAY

In the last 12 months, has it ever been extremely difficult for [you/you and your household] to pay for medical bills or prescriptions?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

34. HIAUTOEX

In the last 12 months, has it ever been extremely difficult for [you/you and your household] to pay for automobile or transportation expenses?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

35. HIDEBT

In the last 12 months, has it ever been extremely difficult for [you/you and your household] to pay for other debts or loans?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “other debts or loans” mean to you in this question?

36. HISAVING

In the last 12 months, has it ever been extremely difficult for [you/you and your household] to increase your savings?

1.  Yes
2.  No

3.  NA / Not trying to increase savings

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

37. HIHSERV

In the last 12 months, has a lack of money ever prevented [you/you or your household] from getting any health services you needed?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: What does “lack of money” mean to you in this question?

What does “health services” mean to you in this question?

If respondent was “always/usually/sometimes worried” about payment in last 12 months (Q21. HISTPAY = 1-3), AND “very/moderately worried” about it right now (Q22. HISTNOW = 1-2), proceed to Q38. HIWCAUSE.

Otherwise, skip to Q39. HICHRITY.

38. HIWCAUSE

Do any of the following cause you to worry about your housing situation? [Read all categories; Mark all that apply]

1.  High rent or mortgage payments

2.  High utility bills

3.  Unsteady income

4.  Relying on others to help cover housing costs

5.  Large unexpected expenses

6.  High credit card, student loan, or other debt

7.  High property taxes

8.  Other

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer(s)? Can you tell me more about [that/them]?

What does “large unexpected expenses” mean to you in this question?

39. HICHRITY

In the last 12 months, have [you/you and your household] ever received any assistance from a charitable organization to help with your housing costs?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “assistance” mean to you in this question?

What does a “charitable organization” mean to you in this question?

(If applicable:) Did you answer based on only your share of housing costs? Or based on those for everyone in the household? Or something else?

40. HIASSIST

In the last 12 months, have [you/you and your household] ever received any assistance from family, friends, or other individuals who do not live with you to help with your housing costs?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

(If applicable:) Did you answer based on only your share of housing costs? Or based on those for everyone in the household? Or something else?

Stable Occupancy Module

41. HIMOVFRC

Now we are going to ask you some questions about forced moves. Forced moves may be caused by evictions, foreclosures, or housing being condemned. They are initiated by landlords, banks, or government officials and leave residents with no choice other than to move.

How often in the last 12 months would you say you were worried or stressed about being forced to move?

1.  Always

2.  Usually

3.  Sometimes

4.  Rarely

5.  Never

 DK

 RF

Probes: Were you aware that forced moves are “initiated by landlords, banks, or government officials?”

42. HIMOVWR

How worried are you right now about being forced to move? Are you …

1.  Very worried

2.  Moderately worried

3.  A little worried

4.  Not at all worried

 DK

 RF

If home is rented or occupied without payment of rent (Q3. TENURE = 2-3) proceed to Q43. HIEVICT.

Otherwise, skip to instructions after Q45. HIEVICLK.

43. HIEVICT

An eviction is when your landlord forces you to move. Have you been threatened with eviction in this home in the last 12 months?

Skip to Q45. HIEVICLK

1.  Yes – Proceed to Q44. HIEVICPREV
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

44. HIEVICPREV

In the last 12 months, have you received an eviction notice?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

45. HIEVICLK

How likely is it that you will have to leave this home because of eviction?

1.  Very likely
2.  Somewhat likely

3.  Not very likely

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

If respondent moved to current home within past two years (based on Q14. WHENYR/WHENMON),

AND previous home was rented or occupied without payment of rent (Q15. XTEN = 2-3),

proceed to Q46. HIEVICT2.

Otherwise, skip to instructions after Q61. HIMVNON.

46. HIEVICT2

Earlier you said you moved in the last 2 years. Were you, or anyone you were staying with in your previous home, evicted from that home? (Read as necessary: A landlord not renewing the lease should not be counted as an eviction.)

Proceed to Q47. HIEVICPREV2

1.  Yes – Skip to Q51. HIEVRAISE

2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probe: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

47. HIEVICPREV2

Did you, or anyone you were staying with, receive an eviction notice while living at that home?

Proceed to Q48. HIEVLNDLD

1.  Yes – Skip to Q51. HIEVRAISE
2.  No

 DK

 RF

48. HIEVLNDLD

Did you move away from that home because your landlord told you, or a person you were staying with, to leave?

Proceed to Q49. HIEVFEAR

1.  Yes – Skip to Q51. HIEVRAISE

2.  No

 DK

 RF

49. HIEVFEAR

Did you move away because you, or a person you were staying with, missed a rent payment and thought that if you didn’t move you would be evicted?

Proceed to Q50. HIEVCNDM

1.  Yes – Skip to Q51. HIEVRAISE

2.  No

 DK

 RF

50. HIEVCNDM

Did you move away because the city condemned the property and forced you to leave?

1.  Yes

2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

(If applicable:) Can you tell me more about where the condemning came from?

51. HIEVRAISE

Did you move away because the landlord raised the rent?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

52. HIEVNOFIX

Did you move away because the landlord did not make repairs?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

53. HIEVFORC

Did you move away because the landlord went into foreclosure?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

54. HIEVDNGR

Did you move away because the neighborhood was dangerous?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

55. HIMVDISAS

Did you move away because of a natural disaster or fire?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

56. HIWMHEA

Did you move away for health reasons?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “health reasons” mean to you in this question?

57. HIWMINC

Did you move away because your income decreased?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

58. HIWMCNFL

Did you move away because of conflicts with people you were living with?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

If respondent gave ANY reason for moving away from previous home (any of Q46-Q58 = “Yes”),

proceed to Q59. HIMVOTH.

Otherwise, skip to Q61. HIMVNON.

59. HIMVOTH

Besides what we have already talked about, were there other reasons you moved away from this place?

1.  Yes – Proceed to Q60. HIMVOSP
2.  No

Skip to instructions after Q61. HIMVNON

 DK

 RF

60. HIMVOSP

What were the other reasons?

______________________________ - Skip to instructions after Q61. HIMVNON

61. HIMVNON

I see that none of these reasons fit your case. Why did you move away from this place?

______________________________

If respondent’s home is owned or being bought by someone in the household (Q3. TENURE = 1), AND has a mortgage (Q4. NUMMORTG > 0), proceed to Q62. HIMRTFORC.

Otherwise, skip to instructions after Q64. HILVEFORC.

62. himRTforc

In the last 12 months, have you received a notice that the current mortgage was going to be foreclosed on?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

63. HINFORC

Is your current mortgage in foreclosure now?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

64. HILVEFORC

How likely is it that you will have to leave your home because of foreclosure?

1.  Very likely
2.  Somewhat likely

3.  Not very likely

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

If respondent moved to current home within past two years (based on Q14. WHENYR/WHENMON),

AND previous home was owned or being bought by someone in that household (Q15. XTEN = 1),

proceed to Q65. HIEVFORC2.

Otherwise, skip to instructions after Q74. HIMVNON2.

65. HIEVFORC2

Earlier you said you moved in the last 2 years. Now we are going to ask you some questions about your previous home.

Did you move away from that home because it was foreclosed upon?

Proceed to Q66. HIEVCNDM2

1.  Yes – Skip to Q67. HIEVDNGR2

2.  No

 DK

 RF

66. HIEVCNDM2

Did you move away because the city condemned the property and forced you to leave?

1.  Yes

2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

(If applicable:) Can you tell me more about where the condemning came from?

67. HIEVDNGR2

Did you move away because the neighborhood was dangerous?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

68. HIMVDISAS2

Did you move away because of a natural disaster or fire?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

69. HIWMHEA2

Did you move away for health reasons?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “health reasons” mean to you in this question?

70. HIWMINC2

Did you move away because your income decreased?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

71. HIWMCNFL2

Did you move away because of conflicts with people you were living with?

1.  Yes
2.  No

 DK

 RF

If respondent gave ANY reason for moving away from previous home (any of Q65-Q71 = “Yes”),

proceed to Q72. HIMVOTH2.

Otherwise, skip to Q74. HIMVNON2.

72. HIMVOTH2

Besides what we have already talked about, were there other reasons you moved away from this place?

1.  Yes – Proceed to Q73. HIMVOSP2
2.  No

Skip to instructions after Q74. HIMVNON2

 DK

 RF

73. HIMVOSP2

What were the other reasons?

______________________________ - Skip to instructions after Q74. HIMVNON2

74. HIMVNON2

I see that none of these reasons fit your case. Why did you move away from this place?

______________________________

If respondent moved to current home within past year (based on Q14. WHENYR/WHENMON),

proceed to Q75. HIHSEAR.

Otherwise, skip to Q79. HIFDIFF.

75. HIHSEAR

While you were searching for your current home, how much of a problem was it for you to find quality housing you could afford?

1.  Serious problem
2.  Moderate problem

3.  Minor problem
4.  Not at all a problem

 DK

 RF

Probe: What does “quality housing” mean to you in this question?

76. HINHOOD

While you were searching for your current home, how much of a problem was it for you to find housing you could afford in a good neighborhood?

1.  Serious problem
2.  Moderate problem

3.  Minor problem
4.  Not at all a problem

 DK

 RF

77. HIPREVHO

How long did you live in your previous home?

Proceed to Q78. HILIVNUM

1.  One year or more – Skip to Q79. HIFDIFF
2.  Less than a year

 DK

 RF

78. HILIVNUM

About how many months would you say you lived there?

__________

79. HIFDIFF

The next few questions are about temporary housing situations.

Is anyone temporarily staying in your current home because of financial difficulties?

Skip to Q81. HINOWHR

1.  Yes – Proceed to Q80. HIFDIFF2
2.  No

 DK

 RF

80. HIFDIFF2

How many people (are temporarily staying here because of financial difficulties)?

__________

81. HINOWHR

Is anyone staying here because they had to leave where they were living before and had no other place to stay?

Skip to Q83. HIHMLESS

1.  Yes – Proceed to Q82. HINOWHR2
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

(If applicable:) Were you thinking about just adults? Or everyone, including children?

82. HINOWHR2

How many people (are staying here because they had to leave where they were living before and had no other place to stay)?

__________

Probes (If applicable:) Were you thinking about just adults? Or everyone, including children?

83. HIHMLESS

At any time in the last 12 months did you or anyone else in this [^HTYPEFILL] experience homelessness? (Help text: A person experiencing homelessness may have had to spend the night in a homeless shelter, abandoned building, vehicle, outdoors, or some other unconventional place because they had no other place to stay.)

Skip to Decent and Safe Module

1.  Yes – Proceed to Q84. HIHMLESS2
2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probe: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “unconventional place” mean to you in this question?

84. HIHMLESS2

How many people (experienced homelessness)?

____________________

Probes (If applicable:) Were you thinking about just adults? Or everyone, including children?

Decent and Safe Module

85. HIMUST

The next few questions are about the condition and safety of your home.

In the last 12 months, how often have you noticed any musty smells inside your home? Would you say it was daily, weekly, monthly, a few times, or never?

Musty smells are smells of dampness, mold or mildew.

1.  Daily

2.  Weekly

3.  Monthly

4.  A few times

5.  Never

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

How easy or difficult did you find this to answer?

If respondent’s home rented or occupied without payment of rent (Q3. TENURE = 2-3), proceed to Q86. HIMAJR1.

Otherwise, skip to Q88. HIMAXNUM.

86. HIMAJR1

When the owner of this [^HTYPEFILL] has to do MAJOR maintenance or repairs: Do they start quickly enough?

1.  Yes, usually

Proceed to Q87. HIMAJR2

2.  Not usually

3.  Very mixed

4.  Haven’t needed any

Skip to Q88. HIMAXNUM

5.  Landlord not responsible for maintenance

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

How easy or difficult did you find this to answer?

87. HIMAJR2

Do they usually solve the problem quickly once they start?

1.  Yes

2.  No

3.  Mixed

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

How easy or difficult did you find this to answer?

88. HIMAXNUM

In your opinion, are there more people staying here than can live comfortably in this unit?

1.  Yes

2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

How easy or difficult did you find this to answer?

89. HIMAJISS

Thinking about the number of people in your household and the space you have, are any of the following problems a major issue in your household? [Read all; Mark all that apply]

1.  Not enough personal space

2.  Not enough privacy

3.  Too noisy

4.  Too much conflict

5.  None of the above

 DK

 RF

90. HISAFE

How safe do you feel inside your home?

1.  Very safe

2.  Moderately safe

3.  Not very safe

4.  Not at all safe

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “safe” mean to you in this question?

91. HIBRKIN

How secure is your home against break-ins?

1.  Very secure

2.  Moderately secure

3.  Not very secure

4.  Not at all secure

 DK

 RF

92. HICMING

How safe do you feel coming and going from your home at night?

1.  Very safe

2.  Moderately safe

3.  Not very safe

4.  Not at all safe

 DK

 RF

If household has any children under age 18 (based on Q11. AGE), then proceed to Q93. HIPLAY.

Otherwise, skip to Q94. HICRIME.

93. HIPLAY

How safe is it for children to play outside around your home during the day?

1.  Very safe

2.  Moderately safe

3.  Not very safe

4.  Not at all safe

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

What does “safe for children to play” mean to you in this question? Is there a difference between “safe for children” and “safe to play?”

94. HICRIME

Have you considered moving because crime is a serious problem in your neighborhood?

1.  Yes

2.  No

 DK

 RF

Probes: How did you arrive at your answer? Can you tell me more about that?

SECTION IV. DEBRIEFING QUESTIONS

After the interview:

Now, I am going to ask you some questions about your answers and about the questions themselves. I am really interested in how these questions work for you, so there are no right or wrong answers.

• Overall, what did you think of this interview? [If needed: Was it easy or difficult? Can you tell me why it was easy or difficult?]

• Have you ever answered survey questions in the past about affording your home? If yes, what was the survey? What was the experience like for you?

• Have you ever answered survey questions in the past about eviction, foreclosure, or other forced moves? If yes, what was the survey? What was the experience like for you?

• Have you ever answered survey questions in the past about the condition and safety of your home? If yes, what was the survey? What was the experience like for you?

JUST A FEW FINAL QUESTIONS TO WRAP UP –

• Overall, do you think some people might find these questions sensitive?

• Do you have anything else you would like to tell us that you haven’t had a chance to mention yet?

I want to thank you very much for your participation. I will now give you $40 and I will ask you to sign a receipt form verifying that you received the money.

TURN OFF THE TAPE RECORDER. HAND THE CASH INCENTIVE TO THE PARTICIPANT.

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