Brief Overall Description of the Dataset:
The Housing Vacancies and Homeownership provides current information on the rental and homeowner vacancy rates, and characteristics of units available for occupancy. Rental and homeowner vacancy rates and homeownership rates are available for the U.S., regions, states, and for the 75 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs).
Link: http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/
Date Inventory Completed: 7/11/2015
Screening
- Is the data collected opinion-based?
- Is the data collection recurring (must be collected at least annually)?
- Is there data available for 2013?
- Is the data collected at the property or housing unit level?
- Can we access the data by August 15th?
Purpose
What is the purpose of the organization collecting the data?
The United States Census Bureau is a main agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System responsible for producing data about the American people and economy.
Why is it collected and how does the organization use it?
Provide information on the rental and homeowner vacancy rates, and characteristics of units available for occupancy.
Who else uses the data?
“These data are used extensively by public and private sector organizations to evaluate the need for new housing programs and initiatives. In addition, the rental vacancy rate is a component of the index of leading economic indicators and is thereby used by the Federal Government and economic forecasters to gauge the current economic climate.”
Who do they sell the data to?
Free
Method
What is the data collection method?
Survey
What is the type of data collected?
Designed collection
If designed, who created the questions?
The Census Bureau
What is the raw source of the collected data (prior to any aggregation)?
Survey results
Description
What is the general topic of the data (1-2 words)?
Vacancy rates
What are the earliest and latest dates for which data is available?
Fourth quarter 1994 - second quarter 2015
Is data collected and available periodically?
The fieldwork is conducted during the calendar week that includes the 19th of the month. Data are available quarterly and annually
How soon after a reference period ends can a data source be prepared and provided?
Not stated (seems to be a 1-2 quarters behind)
Selectivity
What is the universe (e.g., population) that the data represents?
Housing units in the US, both occupied and vacant.
Accessibility
- How is the data accessed?
Direct download from census’ website
- Is it open data?
Yes
Any legal, regulatory, or administrative restrictions on accessing the data source?
None stated
Cost? - One time or annual or project based payment?
Free
Does this dataset appear to meet our needs for the Census study? NO
Explanation: Data is not available at the census tract level (only for the largest MSAs and states).