Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA)

Purpose

The Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA) is sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by the U.S. Census Bureau. SOMA collects data for new residential construction of multifamily units, including apartment buildings and condominium buildings. SOMA provide information on amenities, rent/sales price levels, number of units, type of building, and the number of units taken off the market (absorbed).

SOMA uses the Census Bureau's Survey of Construction (SOC) as its sampling base. Each month, a sample of residential buildings containing five or more units is selected for SOMA. The initial 3-month interview collects information on amenities, rent or sales price levels, number of units, type of building, and the number of units taken off the market (absorbed). Field representatives conduct subsequent interviews, if necessary, at 6, 9, and 12 months after completion.

  All data and documentation is available on the SOMA Census website