Public Use Microdata Sample

Dataset/Public Use Microdata Sample

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2023 data are now available

PD&R releases statistical samples of tenant-level data to qualified researchers. These Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) datasets cover HUD's largest rental assistance programs: the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Public Housing, Project-based Section 8, and the Section 202/811 Programs. This dataset will not identify individual households in the sample. The purpose of the data release is to help the research community better understand the characteristics of households receiving assistance.

The dataset will include data on family type, household income, race, gender, and other household and geographic characteristics. The sample size (5 percent) is large enough to be statistically valid and representative of states and the nation as a whole while small enough to preserve privacy. Data dictionaries provide information on the sampling design and variables.

Researchers requesting access to the PUMS data will be asked to provide an email address, organization, organization website, and reason for accessing the tenant data. By requesting access to the PUMS data, the researcher is acknowledging 1) a legitimate research purpose for the data, and 2) that the data will not be used in an attempt to identify particular assisted households. Once the request is approved by HUD, the researcher will be sent a username/password that will give access to the data files.

By requesting the data, researchers are also granting PD&R permission to contact them by email requesting comments and suggestions for improving the PUMS dataset. PD&R plans to update the dataset annually.

Data Dictionary
Data Dictionary for HUD Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS)