Part B-Supp Statement_final

Department of Commerce

United States Census Bureau

OMB Information Collection Request

Supporting Statement Part B

Housing Vacancy Survey

OMB Control Number 0607-0179

B. COLLECTION OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS

1. Universe and Respondent Selection

The HVS is conducted in conjunction with the CPS for which the universe is

140 million housing units. The Census Bureau selects a sample of approximately 72,000 housing units from this universe each month. Units are interviewed for the HVS if it is vacant and intended for year-round occupancy, as determined during the CPS interview. Approximately 6,500 units in the CPS sample meet these criteria each month and perform the interview; these units represent almost 13 million year-round vacant units in 2019 across the United States each month. Based on past experience, a response rate of approximately 86 percent is expected.

2. Procedures for Collecting Information

Attachment G gives an overview of the CPS sample design and weighting methodology. The HVS weighting procedure is similar to that used by the CPS. The basic weight is the reciprocal of the probability of selection of the unit in the CPS sample. First- and second-stage adjustments similar to those described in Attachment G for the CPS are made to the HVS basic weight. The first-stage adjustment is made to bring the sample estimates into agreement with distributions for vacant units at the state levels as measured in the 2010 decennial census. The second-stage adjustment inflates the weight to account for undercoverage in the CPS sample.

Confidence intervals for the quarterly rental vacancy rate, homeowner vacancy rate and homeownership rate are 0.3 percent, 0.1 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively. We deem this degree of accuracy sufficient for data analysis and publication purposes.

3. Methods to Maximize Response

We maintain response rates and data accuracy for the CPS at high levels through interviewer instruction and training and close monitoring of data output. (Refer to

Item 5 of Attachment G for a discussion of the CPS nonresponse.)

Allocation for item nonresponse is done within the HVS eligible households (item nonresponse is not expected to exceed 10 percent).

4. Testing of Procedures

We do not require testing of procedures and methods since we have conducted the HVS for over 60 years.

5. Contacts for Statistical Aspects and Data Collection

The following individuals may be contacted on the statistical data collection and analysis operations:

Statistical Design: Data Collection/Survey Design:

James Farber Lisa A. Clement

Demographic Statistical Methods Division Associate Directorate for

U.S. Census Bureau Demographic Programs -

(301) 763- 1844 Survey Operations

U.S. Census Bureau

(301) 763-3806

Statistical Analysis:

Jonathan Spader

Social, Economic, and

Housing Statistics Division

U.S. Census Bureau

(301) 763-

Attachments

A - Tenure Question on the CPS Instrument

B - HVS Items on the CPS Instrument

C - Quarterly Report on Residential Vacancies and Home Ownership

D - CPS-263, Respondent Letter

E - HVS-600, Fact Sheet for the Housing Vacancy Survey

F - BC-1428, Confidentiality Brochure

G - Overview of CPS Sample Design and Methodology