SOMA Instrument Screenshots

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SURVEY OF MARKET
ABSORPTION
OF NEW MULTIFAMILY UNITS
(SOMA)
CAPI SCREENSHOTS
PREPARED DECEMBER 27TH, 2022
UPDATED 6/27/2023, 12/3/2025

We estimate that completing the Survey of Market Absorption
of New Multifamily Units (SOMA) will take 30 minutes on average. Send
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director,
Housing and Demographic Analysis Division, Office of Policy Development and
Research, Office of Economic Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban
Development, Washington, DC 20410. This information collection is authorized by
OMB control 2528-0013 (expires September 30th, 2026). If this number were not
displayed, we could not conduct this survey.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Survey of Market Absorption (SOMA)?
2. Who sponsors the Survey of Market Absorption (SOMA)?
3. How frequently are the data collected?
4. Who is interviewed?
5. Where do the sample cases come from?
6. How is the information made available?
7. Where can I get more information?
8. Proceed with the interview

CONTACTS

Respondent Information:
Agent Name:

ROBERTO MCCOOL

Agent Phone:

() -

Best Time:
Builder Information:
Builder Name:

XYZ, INC

Builder Address:

111 OAK STREET
ANY CITY, WA 99997

Builder Contact:

ABC LAPOST, INC

Builder Phone:

(9991)555-4875

Builder Best Time:

WEEKDAYS BEFORE NOON

Owner Information:
Name:

ABC, INC

Address:

5164 MAIN STREET
ANY CITY, WA 99997

Contact:

JOHN HUMANO

Phone:

(991)555-4567 EXTN 1355

Best Time:

WEEKDAYS BEFORE 5

BUILDING INFORMATION

BUILDING INFORMATION
Name:
ABC HOMES
PSU/ID: 88008/555555
SOC Completion Date: 2019/10
Building Information:
Sampled in Survey Month:
Permit Number:
Permit Date:
HUs on Permit:
Address:
Location:
Lot:
-

01225
5-1-2017
200
5898 ELM LN
ANY CITY, WA 99997

Block:

Building Num: 15

Press “1” to continue

Proj: TEMP OFFICE

CASE ADDRESS

The current building address is listed as:
Address:

5898 ELM LN
Building Number:15
ANY CITY, WA 99997

Enter updated information in the following fields
HOUSE NUMBER:
-

House number change
Street Change
Street Type
Building Number
City change
State change
Zip Code change

HQ NOTES

Please enter any information you would like to share with HQ below.
Previous Notes to HQ from FR:
***There are no previous notes***
Notes to FR from HQ:
***There are no notes from HQ***
Current Notes to HQ from FR:
-

HQNOTES:

START

You are about to conduct an interview for:
Survey Name:

Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units

Address:

5898 ELM LN

Building Number 15

ANY CITY, WA 99997
1. Continue
2. Quit
3. Noninterview
4. Out of Scope
5. Merged Unit
7. Update Address

FR REVIEW

1st Interview – New Case
Building Completion Date:

10/2019

Number of Housing Units:

200

Notes to Field Representative from Headquarters:
***There are no notes from HQ***
Previous Notes to Headquarters from Field Representative:
***There are no previous notes***
-

Press “1” to continue.

LETTER
Introduce yourself and, if Personal Visit, show your identification.
We are conducting the Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units for the Department of Housing and
Urban Development.
1) The data are used to measure the needs of multifamily buildings in the United States.
2) By law, the Census Bureau can only use your responses to produce statistics.
3) We estimate that this and subsequent interviews will take 30 minutes on average to complete.
4) This survey is conducted under the authority of Title 13, U.S. Code Sections 8 and 9. The U.S. Census Bureau is
required by law to protect your information. The Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your
responses in a way that could identify this property.
5) Federal law protects your privacy and keeps your answers confidential (Title 13, United States Code, Section 9).
Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through
screening of the systems that transmit your data. Disclosure of the information provided to us is permitted under
the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. § 552a) and may be shared with other Census Bureau staff for the work- related
purposes identified in this statement. Disclosure of this information is also subject to the published routine uses as
identified in the Privacy Act System of Records Notice COMMERCE/Census-3, Demographic Survey Collection
(Census Bureau Sampling Frame).
6) The Office of Management and Budget has approved this survey under Project 2528-0013, which expires
September 30th, 2026. The Census Bureau may not conduct, and a person is not required to respond to, a data
collection request unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
7) This survey is voluntary and there are no penalties for not participating.
If you have any comments about this survey, I will be happy to provide you with contact information.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate and/or suggestions for reducing burden to:
HUD USER
SOMA Survey Comments 2528-0013
P.O. Box 23268
Washington, DC 20026-3268
Or [email protected]
Send comments regarding your status in this survey:
SOMA Survey Comments 2528-0013
US Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Rd
Room 80
Washington, DC 20233-3700
Or [email protected]

-

Press “1” to continue.

VERIFY NUMBER OF UNITS

We previously recorded that there are 200 housing units in the building at this location.
Is that correct?
Building Name: ABC HOMES
Building Address: 5898 ELM LN Building Number: 15
ANY CITY, WA 99997
1.

Yes

2. No

VERIFY NUMBER OF FLOORS

We previously recorded that there are 10 floors in the building at this location. Is that
correct?
Building Name: ABC HOMES
Building Address: 5898 ELM LN Building Number: 15
ANY CITY, WA 99997
1. Yes
2. No

ELEVATOR

Is there an elevator at this location?
Building Name: ABC HOMES
Building Address: 5898 ELM LN Building Number: 15
ANY CITY, WA 99997
1. Yes
2. No

BUILDING TYPE

What type of units are in this building?
Read answer categories.
Enter all that apply, separate entries with commas.
1. Unfurnished rental
2. Furnished rental
3. A Cooperative
4. A Condominium
5. Owned or Leased by a Public Housing Agency

HOUSING PROGRAM

Is the building under any of the following programs?
Read answer categories.
Enter all that apply, separate with commas.
1. Section 8 Housing Vouchers
2. Housing for Elderly Direct Loan Program
3. Low Income Housing Tax Credit
4. Federal Tax Exempt Multifamily Bond Financing
5. Other Subsidized Program
6. No. Not Subsidized

NUMBER OF UNITS IN
HOUSING PROGRAMS

How many units in this building are under any of the following programs?
Section 8 housing vouchers
Note: These units will be excluded from the total number of units available for rent or sale.

TRANSIENT USE

Are any of the units in this building reserved for transient use?
"Transient use" describes any apartment that is intended for occupancy by many different
people with usual residences elsewhere. Units reserved for transient use are repeatedly
being rented to different occupants
1. Yes
2. No

NUMBER OF TRANSIENT
UNITS

You answered "Yes" to transient use. How many units are reserved for transient use?
Note: These units will be excluded from the total number of units available for rent or sale.

ELECTRICITY

Are the following items included in the rent or available at extra cost…
Electricity?
1. Included
2. Extra Cost

GAS

Are the following items included in the rent or available at extra cost…
Gas?
1. Included
2. Extra Cost
3. Not Available

WATER

Are the following items included in the rent or available at extra cost…
Water?
1. Included
2. Extra Cost

SEWER

Are the following items included in the rent or available at extra cost…
Sewer?
1. Included
2. Extra Cost

CABLE OR SATELLITE TV

Are the following items included in the rent or available at extra cost…
Cable or satellite TV?
1. Included
2. Extra Cost
3. Not Available

INTERNET OR WIFI

Are the following items included in the rent or available at extra cost…
Internet or WiFi?
Note: We are interested in the Internet or WiFi service within the units.
Do not include service that may be provided in common areas of the building.
1. Included
2. Extra Cost
3. Not Available

POOL

Are the following items included in the rent or available at extra cost…
Swimming pool?
1. Included
2. Extra Cost
3. Not Available

OFF-STREET PARKING

Are the following items included in the rent or available at extra cost…
Off-street parking?
1. Included
2. Extra Cost
3. Not Available

LAUNDRY

We previously recorded both individual washer/dryer connections in every unit AND
shared laundry facilities in this building. Is that correct?
If Respondent indicates current entry is correct, press ENTER to accept entry below. If
Respondent indicates washer/dryer options is different from current entry, correct the
entry below.
1. Individual washer/dryer connections in every unit
2. Shared laundry facilities
3. Both individual washer/dryer connections and shared laundry facilities
4. No shared laundry facilities or individual washer/dryer connections

WASHER

Does the management of this building provide a washer and dryer with each unit?
1. Yes, all units
2. No
3. Only some units

AGE RESTRICTED

Is this building in a development that is age-restricted?
Age-restricted communities typically require residents to be 55 years or older.
1. Yes
2. No

AGE RESTRICTED-MEALS

Does the management of this building provide residents with...
Meals?
1. Yes
2. No

AGE RESTRICTEDTRANSPORTATION

Does the management of this building provide residents with...
Transportation?
1. Yes
2. No

AGE RESTRICTEDHOUSEKEEPING

Does the management of this building provide residents with...
Housekeeping within the unit?
1. Yes
2. No

AGE RESTRICTED-FINANCES

Does the management of this building provide assistance to residents with...
Managing Finances?
1. Yes
2. No

AGE RESTRICTED-PERSONAL
CARE

Does the management of this building provide assistance with...
Personal care, for example, bathing, eating, moving about, dressing, or toilet use?
1. Yes
2. No

NUMBER OF UNITS BY
BEDROOM TYPE

What is the total number of (READ UNIT DESCRIPTION) units in this building?
Building Breakdown:

Total

Effs

1 Bed

2 Bed

3+ Bed

Unfurnished Rental

190

0

0

0

0

Furnished Rental

0

0

0

0

0

Cooperative

0

0

0

0

0

Condominium

0

0

0

0

0

Total Building Units

200

Program Units

-5

Transient Units

-5

Expected Units

=190

BEDNONE

How many of those are Efficiency or Studio units?
Building Breakdown:

Total

Effs

1 Bed

2 Bed

3+ Bed

Unfurnished Rental

100

0

0

0

0

Furnished Rental

0

0

0

0

0

Cooperative

0

0

0

0

0

Condominium

0

0

0

0

0

Total Building Units

200

Program Units

-5

Transient Units

-5

Expected Units

=190

BED1

How many of those are 1 bedroom units?
Building Breakdown:

Total

Effs

1 Bed

2 Bed

3+ Bed

Unfurnished Rental

100

25

0

0

0

Furnished Rental

0

0

0

0

0

Cooperative

0

0

0

0

0

Condominium

0

0

0

0

0

Total Building Units

200

Program Units

-5

Transient Units

-5

Expected Units

=190

BED2

How many of those are 2 bedroom units?
Building Breakdown:

Total

Effs

1 Bed

2 Bed

3+ Bed

Unfurnished Rental

100

25

25

0

0

Furnished Rental

0

0

0

0

0

Cooperative

0

0

0

0

0

Condominium

0

0

0

0

0

Total Building Units

200

Program Units

-5

Transient Units

-5

Expected Units

=190

BED3

How many of those are units with 3 or more bedrooms?
Building Breakdown:

Total

Effs

1 Bed

2 Bed

3+ Bed

Unfurnished Rental

100

25

25

25

0

Furnished Rental

0

0

0

0

0

Cooperative

0

0

0

0

0

Condominium

0

0

0

0

0

Total Building Units

200

Program Units

-5

Transient Units

-5

Expected Units

=190

NUMBER OF RENTAL UNITS
PER UNIT COST
NUMBER OF TOTAL RENTAL
UNITS PER UNIT COST RANGE

Building Breakdown:

Total

Effs

1 Bed

2 Bed

3+ Bed

Unfurnished Rental

100

25

25

25

25

Furnished Rental

0

0

0

0

0

Cooperative

0

0

0

0

0

Condominium

90

20

20

25

25

Expected Units

190

Now we will ask about the price structure for the efficiency or studio (no bedrooms) unfurnished units
in the building. As of October 1,2019, how many efficiency or studio (no bedrooms) unfurnished units
in the building were priced for rent at less than $850? Please include any units which were rented
before October 1, 2019.

NUMBER OF REMAINING
RENTAL UNITS PER UNIT COST
RANGE

Building Breakdown:

Total

Effs

1 Bed

2 Bed

3+ Bed

Unfurnished Rental

100

25

25

25

25

Furnished Rental

0

0

0

0

0

Cooperative

0

0

0

0

0

Condominium

90

20

20

25

25

Expected Units

190

Now we will ask about the number of efficiency or studio (no bedrooms) unfurnished units that are
still available for rent. As of January 1, 2020, how many efficiency or studio (no bedrooms)
unfurnished units were still available for rent at less than $850, having never been previously rented?

RENTAL UNIT COST RANGES
Cost
Category
Cost
Range

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

$1
$849

$850
$1,049

$1,050
$1,249

$1,250
$1,449

$1,450
$1,649

$1,650
$1,849

$1,850
$2,049

$2,050
$2,249

$2,250
$2,449

$2,450
$2,699

$2,700
$2,999

$3,000
or more

NUMBER OF
CONDO/COOPERATIVE UNITS
PER UNIT COST
NUMBER OF TOTAL
CONDO/COOPERATIVE UNITS
PER UNIT COST RANGE

Building Breakdown:

Total

Effs

1 Bed

2 Bed

3+ Bed

Unfurnished Rental

100

25

25

25

25

Furnished Rental

0

0

0

0

0

Cooperative

0

0

0

0

0

Condominium

90

20

20

25

25

Expected Units

190

Now we will ask about the price structure for the efficiency or studio (no bedrooms)
condominium units in the building. As of Oct 1, 2019, how efficiency or studio (no bedrooms)
condominium units in the building were priced for sale at less than $250,000? Please include
any units which were sold before October 1, 2019.

NUMBER OF REMAINING
CONDO/COOPERATIVE UNITS
PER UNIT COST RANGE

Building Breakdown:

Total

Effs

1 Bed

2 Bed

3+ Bed

Unfurnished Rental

100

25

25

25

25

Furnished Rental

0

0

0

0

0

Cooperative

0

0

0

0

0

Condominium

90

20

20

25

25

Expected Units

190

Now we will ask about the number of efficiency or studio (no bedrooms) condominium units
that are still available for sale. As of January 1, 2020, how many efficiency or studio (no
bedrooms) condominium units were still available for sale at $700,000 to $849,999, having
never been previously sold?

CONDO/COOPERATIVE UNIT
COST RANGES
Cost
Category

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Cost
Range

$1
$249,999

$250,000
$299,999

$300,000
$349,999

$350,000
$399,999

$400,000
$499,999

$500,000
$599,999

$600,000
$699,999

$700,000
$849,999

$850,000
$999,999

$1,000,000
$1,249,999

$1,250,000
$1,499,999

$1,500,000
or more

CONTACT METHOD

For this current survey month, how did you gather (or attempt to gather) data for this case?
1. Telephone
2. Site Visit
3. Telephone and Site Visit
4. Other Method

THANK YOU SCREEN

Thank you for your help in completing the Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units.
We will return in approximately 3 months to update the information on the remaining units in the
building.
Press 1 to end interview.
1. Press 1 to end interview

EXIT

You are now exiting this case.
Case status:
Outcome: 201
Mark: 16
2. Finished for the month - Exit - No (additional) HQ Notes
3. Finished for the month - Exit - Enter (additional) HQ Notes

ADD NOTES

Please enter any information you would like to share with HQ below.
Previous Notes to HQ from FR:
***There are no previous notes****
Notes to FR from HQ:
***There are no notes from HQ***
Current Notes to HQ from FR:
HQNOTES:

SUB INTRO

Introduce yourself and show identification (if personal visit).
This is a followup interview for our survey of new apartment buildings.
Enter 1 to continue.
-

Press “1” to continue.

ANY CHANGES

Since October 2019, have there been any changes to the building; such as changes to
the utilities, amenities, or elderly services; elevator; or owner/agent/builder
information?
1. Yes
2. No

PARTIAL INTERVIEW –
APPOINTMENT SCREENS
SET APPOINTMENT

TODAY IS: 8/31/2022
Previous Appointment:
1.

Set NEW Appointment

2.

Keep SAME Appointment

3.

No Appointment

APPOINTMENT DATE

I'd like to schedule a DATE to complete the interview.
What DATE and TIME would be best to call back?
Enter date in the format MM/DD/YYYY

Today is: 10/16/2019

Note closeout dates for current interview month. Do not schedule callbacks beyond
scheduled closeout dates.

APPOINTMENT TIME

What TIME would be best to call back?
Enter time in the format HH:MM AM/PM

APPOINTMENT NOTES

Enter any appointment notes.

NONINTERVIEW CASES

You are entering an insufficient partial interview for:
Survey Name:

Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units

Address:

145 OAK LN

Building Number 77777777

ANY CITY, WA 99997
1. Continue
2. Quit
3. Noninterview
4. Out of Scope
5. Merged Unit
7. Update Address

NONINTERVIEW

Enter the type of noninterview reason.
Type E, Refusal - Select this entry if respondent refuses to participate in survey.
Type E, Other- For example; No One Available, Language Problem, Unable to Locate, etc.
Type F - For example; Under Construction, Awaiting Permits, etc.
Type G - For example; Condemned, Demolished, etc.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Type E, Refusal
Type E, Other
Type F
Type G

NONINTERVIEW SPECIFY

You selected Type F on the previous screen. Please specify the type of Type F.
For example: Under construction awaiting permits, etc.

NONINTERVIEW SOURCE

Was the noninterview status determined by observation only or did someone provide
you with information about the building?
1. By observation only
2. Information provided by agent/owner/builder
3. Information provided by someone else

NONINTERVIEW CONTACT
NAME

Collect information about the contact person who helped you determine the
noninterview status of the building.
NAME:

CLOSE NONINT

This case has been coded as a noninterview and will now close out
Enter 1 to continue.
-

Press “1” to continue.

OUT OF SCOPE CASES

You are entering a noninterview case for:
Survey Name:

Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units

Address:

5558 CHURCH WAY
ANY CITY, WA 99997

1. Continue
2. Quit
3. Noninterview
4. Out of Scope
5. Merged Unit
7. Update Address

Building Number 116B

SCOPE SELECT

You selected Out of Scope on the previous screen. Select the appropriate Out of Scope
reason:
Note: “Cash and Carry" refers to a building where the respondent reports that the
building units have a refundable "entrance deposit" and monthly "service package."
The respondent is unable to provide a breakdown of units by Lease or Sale price.
1. Timeshare or Townhome
2. Cash and Carry
3. Other (such as Nursing Home, Dormitory, etc)

CLOSE SCOPE

This case has been coded as Out of Scope and will now close out
Enter 1 to continue.
-

Press “1” to continue.

SCOPE SPECIFY

Please specify the reason this case is Out of Scope for SOMA.
For example Nursing Home, Dormitory, Homeless shelter, etc.

MERGED CASES

Survey Name:

Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units

Address:

5558 CHURCH WAY
ANY CITY, WA 99997

1. Continue
2. Quit
3. Noninterview
4. Out of Scope
5. Merged Unit
7. Update Address

Building Number 116B

CLOSE MERGED

This case has been coded as Merged and will now close out
Enter 1 to continue.
-

Press “1” to continue.