[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6617-6619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02193]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-5770-N-01]


Request for Comment on the 2015 American Housing Survey 
Metropolitan Samples

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and 
Research, HUD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the intent of the Department of Housing 
and Urban Development (HUD) to conduct the American Housing Survey 
(AHS) for 2015 with a new national sample and up to 30 metropolitan 
area samples. As part of the planning for the 2015 AHS, HUD is 
soliciting public comments regarding which metropolitan areas should be 
sampled. HUD is interested in all comments, especially from government 
policymakers, academic researchers, and AHS data users that specify: 
(1) Which metropolitan areas are important from a housing policy 
perspective; (2) which metropolitan areas are important from a housing 
program perspective, including, but not limited to, low-income and 
assisted housing programs; and (3) which metropolitan areas are 
important for other demographic or socioeconomic reasons. HUD 
encourages those persons interested in commenting to consider these 
three questions when suggesting metropolitan areas to be sampled for 
2015.

DATES: Comments Due Date: April 7, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
this proposal. Comments must refer to the above docket number and 
title. There are two methods for submitting public comments:
    1. Submission of Comments by Mail. Comments may be submitted by 
mail to Shawn Bucholtz, Director, Housing and Demographic Analysis 
Division, Office of Policy Development and Research, Department of 
Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th St. SW., Room 8222, Washington, 
DC 20410. Due to security measures at all federal agencies, however, 
submission of comments by mail often results in delayed delivery. To 
ensure timely receipt of comments, HUD recommends that comments 
submitted by mail be submitted at least two weeks in advance of the 
public comment deadline.
    2. Electronic Submission of Comments. Interested persons may submit 
comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 
http://www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly encourages commenters to 
submit comments electronically. Electronic submission of comments 
allows the commenter maximum time to prepare and submit a comment, 
ensures timely receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to make them immediately 
available to the public. Comments submitted electronically through the 
www.regulations.gov Web site can be viewed by other commenters and 
interested members of the public. Commenters should follow the 
instructions provided on that site to submit comments electronically.

    Note:  To receive consideration as public comments, comments 
must be submitted through one of the two methods specified above. 
Again, all submissions must refer to the docket number.

    No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile (FAX) comments are not acceptable.
    Public Inspection of Public Comments: All properly submitted 
comments and communications submitted to HUD will be available for 
public inspection and copying between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the 
above address. Due to security measures at the HUD Headquarters 
building, an advance appointment to review the public comments must be 
scheduled by calling the Regulations Division at 202-708-3055 (this is 
not a toll-free number). Individuals with speech or hearing impairments 
may access this number through TTY by calling the Federal Relay Service 
at 800-877-8339. Copies of all comments submitted are available for 
inspection and downloading at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shawn Bucholtz, Director, Housing and 
Demographic Analysis Division, Office of Policy, Development and 
Research, 451 7th Street SW., Room 8222, Washington, DC 20410-0500, 
telephone number 202-402-5538 (this is not a toll-free number). 
Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals may access this number via TTY 
by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at telephone number 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The American Housing Survey (AHS) provides a periodic measure of 
the size and composition of the country's housing inventory and 
provides valuable information about housing costs and housing quality. 
HUD provides all funding and oversight for the AHS. Through an 
interagency agreement, the Census Bureau provides operational 
management and field data collection for the survey.

[[Page 6618]]

    The current AHS collects data on subjects such as the amount and 
types of changes in the housing stock, the physical condition of the 
housing stock, the characteristics of the occupants, housing costs, the 
persons eligible for and beneficiaries of assisted housing, and the 
number and characteristics of vacant units.
    HUD needs AHS data to monitor the interaction among housing needs, 
demand and supply, as well as changes in housing conditions and costs, 
to aid in the development of housing policies and the design of housing 
programs appropriate for different target groups, such as first-time 
home buyers and the elderly. AHS data allow HUD to evaluate, monitor, 
and design HUD programs to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Policy 
analysts, program managers, budget analysts, and Congressional staff 
use AHS data to advise executive and legislative branches about housing 
conditions and the suitability of public policy initiatives. Academic 
researchers and private organizations also use AHS data in efforts of 
specific interest and concern to their respective communities.

B. AHS Sample Design

    The AHS is composed of a national longitudinal sample, which is 
surveyed every two years, and metropolitan longitudinal samples, which 
have been surveyed at irregular intervals. The current national 
longitudinal sample was drawn in 1985, with additions and subtractions 
to account for new construction, demolitions and conversions. The 
national longitudinal sample is designed to be representative of the 
nation's housing stock.
    The metropolitan longitudinal samples are designed to be 
representative of the housing stock within a specific metropolitan 
area. The metropolitan longitudinal samples (55) were drawn at various 
points in time between 1974 and 2013. The 2013 AHS was the final survey 
administered to the current national and metropolitan longitudinal 
samples. HUD will draw a new national longitudinal sample and 
individual metropolitan longitudinal samples for 2015 and beyond.

C. AHS Metropolitan Longitudinal Sample History

    The current goal of the AHS is to survey each of the largest 60 
metropolitan areas once every four years. However, due to budgetary 
reductions, this goal has not been achieved since the late 1970s. The 
most recent surveys, the 2011 AHS and the 2013 AHS, have benefited from 
increased funding, which has enabled HUD to nearly achieve its 
metropolitan area sample goal. The 2011 AHS included 29 metropolitan 
area samples, and the 2013 AHS included 25 metropolitan area samples. 
Table 1 summarizes the metropolitan area samples in the 2011 AHS. Table 
2 summarizes the metropolitan area samples in the 2013 AHS.

           Table 1--Metropolitan Area Samples in the 2011 AHS
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                                           Years spanned by longitudinal
      Metropolitan area or division                   sample
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Anaheim-Santa Ana Metro Division........  1974, 1977, 1981, 1986, 1990,
                                           1994, 2002, 2011.
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA Metro  1996, 2004, 2011.
 Area.
Birmingham-Hoover, AL Metro Area........  1998, 2011.
Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY Metro Area....  1976, 1979, 1984, 1988, 1994,
                                           2002, 2011.
Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC Metro   1995, 2002, 2011.
 Area.
Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metro     1998, 2011.
 Area.
Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH Metro Area..  1996, 2004, 2011.
Columbus, OH Metro Area.................  1995, 2002, 2011.
Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metro Division..  1974, 1981, 1985, 1989, 1994,
                                           2002, 2011.
Denver-Aurora, CO Metro Area............  1995, 2004, 2011.
Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metro Division.  1974, 1977, 1981, 1985, 1989,
                                           1994, 2002, 2011.
Indianapolis-Carmel, IN Metro Area......  1996, 2004, 2011.
Kansas City, MO-KS Metro Area...........  1995, 2002, 2011.
Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA Metro          1995, 1999, 2003, 2011.
 Division.
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Metro Area............  1996, 2004, 2011.
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI Metro   1975, 1979, 1984, 1988, 1994,
 Area.                                     2002, 2011.
New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA Metro     1995, 2004, 2009, 2011.
 Area.
Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA Metro         1998, 2011.
 Division.
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ Metro Area..  1974, 1977, 1981, 1985, 1989,
                                           1994, 2002, 2011.
Pittsburgh, PA Metro Area...............  1995, 2004, 2011.
Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA       1995, 2002, 2011.
 Metro Area.
Providence-New Bedford-Fall River, RI-MA  1998, 2011.
 Metro Area.
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA      1975, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990,
 Metro Area.                               1994, 2002, 2011.
San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA Metro   1975, 1978, 1982, 1987, 1991,
 Area.                                     1994, 2002, 2011.
San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood City, CA  2011.
 Metro Division.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA Metro  1998, 2011.
 Area.
St. Louis, MO-IL Metro Area.............  1996, 2004, 2011.
Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville, CA   1996, 2004, 2011.
 Metro Area.
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-  1998, 2011.
 NC Metro Area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


           Table 2--Metropolitan Area Samples in the 2013 AHS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           Years spanned by longitudinal
      Metropolitan area or division                   sample
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Austin-Round Rock, TX Metro Area........  2013.
Baltimore-Towson, MD Metro Area.........  1998, 2007, 2013.
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH Metro      1998, 2007, 2013.
 Area.
Chicago Metro Area......................  1999, 2003, 2009, 2013.
Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI Metro Area...  1999, 2003, 2009, 2013.
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT  1996, 2004, 2013.
 Metro Area.
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX Metro      1998, 2007, 2013.
 Area.

[[Page 6619]]

 
Jacksonville, FL Metro Area.............  2013.
Las Vegas-Paradise, NV Metro Area.......  2013.
Louisville-Jefferson County, KY-IN Metro  2013.
 Area.
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach, FL     1995, 2002, 2007, 2013.
 Metro Area.
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI   1998, 2007, 2013.
 Metro Area.
New York Metro Area.....................  1995, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2013.
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--        2013.
 Franklin, TN Metro Area.
Northern NJ Metro Area..................  1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003,
                                           2009, 2013.
Oklahoma City, OK Metro Area............  1996, 2004, 2013.
Orlando-Kissimmee, FL Metro Area........  2013.
Philadelphia, PA Metro Area.............  1995, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2013.
Richmond, VA Metro Area.................  2013.
Rochester, NY Metro Area................  1998, 2013.
San Antonio, TX Metro Area..............  1995, 2004 ,2013.
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metro Area..  1996, 2004, 2009, 2013.
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL       1998, 2007, 2013.
 Metro Area.
Tucson, AZ Metro Area...................  2013.
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-   1998, 2007, 2013.
 MD-WV Metro Area.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

D. Redesign Goals of the Metropolitan Longitudinal Samples

    Since 2012, HUD has been redesigning the AHS in preparation for the 
2015 survey. One area of emphasis during the redesign has been to 
increase the use and improve usefulness of the metropolitan area data. 
To do this, we investigated the use of metropolitan area samples in 
research and evaluated our methodology for determining which 
metropolitan areas to sample, including our goal of maintaining 
longitudinal metropolitan area samples by repeating them every four 
years. The 2015 AHS redesign process has emphasized for HUD the need to 
develop and maintain constituencies for metropolitan area data.

E. Metropolitan Areas of Importance for Housing Policy, Housing 
Programs, and Other Reasons

    In the past, HUD chose which AHS metropolitan areas to sample based 
mainly on population size. While population size may be a useful 
criterion, there are at least three other criteria that may be of 
greater interest or importance to HUD and the AHS user community.
    First, certain metropolitan areas may be good candidates for 
inclusion in the 2015 AHS because of one or more housing policy issues. 
For instance, some metropolitan areas may have experienced slower 
recovery from the housing crisis due to different foreclosure 
processes. Coastal metropolitan areas may be changing housing policy to 
improve resiliency to climate change.
    Second, some metropolitan areas may be good candidates for 
inclusion in the 2015 AHS because of participation in housing programs, 
especially metropolitan areas that are experimenting with different 
low-income housing program alternatives.
    Third, some metropolitan areas may be good candidates for inclusion 
in the 2015 AHS because of unique demographic or socioeconomic trends 
related to housing. For instance, some metropolitan areas may be facing 
fast growth due to energy production and are consequently experiencing 
housing supply shortages. Other metropolitan areas may be shrinking 
which could lead to vacant or abandoned housing.
    Lastly, it is worth noting that some metropolitan areas may be good 
candidates for inclusion in the AHS in 2015 and in 2017 or 2019. For 
instance, in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, HUD surveyed 
New Orleans in both 2007 and 2009 for the purposes of measuring 
recovery in the physical housing stock and in the overall housing 
market. Commenters should feel free to suggest a near-term (2015-2021) 
schedule for sampling one or more metropolitan areas.

F. Request for Comments

    HUD is seeking additional information from the public regarding 
which metropolitan areas should be sampled for the 2015 AHS. 
Governmental policymakers, academic researchers, and other interested 
parties are encouraged to participate by submitting comments. 
Information regarding how to submit comments is stated in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice.

    Dated: January 17, 2014.
Jean Lin Pao,
General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research.
[FR Doc. 2014-02193 Filed 2-3-14; 8:45 am]
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