The goal of this study was to develop a housing quality index using data from the 2011 and 2013 American Housing Survey (AHS), and apply indices to compare both assisted housing and comparable unassisted housing stock. Because there is no consensus about the features that should be included in the definition of a dwelling’s quality and how each should be weighted in determining overall quality, three alternative indices of housing quality are examined: market value, consumer rating, and normative standards. This study uses the consumer rating index and normative index for the housing quality analysis. Consistent with previous AHS housing quality research, the prevalence rate is low for housing quality problems of almost all types. The quality of assisted housing is comparable to the quality of unassisted housing. Additionally, the proportion of housing problems persisting over two years, 2011 and 2013, is very low, and repairs appear to be made promptly.

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