The U.S. Census Bureau has released a white paper that proposes options for the uses and flexibility of the new data sample for the 2015 American Housing Survey (AHS). After considerable discussion between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Census Bureau, the most prominent strategies include:
- A single longitudinal panel–essentially the same as the current strategy.
- A set of overlapping panels which would each stay in sample for ten years (5 surveys) and then cycle out.
- A hybrid design, with a long-term longitudinal panel and a set of overlapping panels, as described above.
The new sample will allow HUD to update its geographic definitions, rebalance the representation of different housing types, allow for estimates at the Census Division and state level (for larger states), and relieve current respondents from a burden that some will have borne for as many as 28 years. The whitepaper is posted on the HUD USER website. HUD is interested in the opinions and suggestions of industry professionals and will organize a series of informal, small group or one-on-one conversations before making a decision. Read More…
