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AHS 2015 Geographic Coverage (was RE: Time is Running Out to Make Your Voice Heard)

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We are planning to structure the 2015 AHS sample so that we will be able to identify at least some states. We may not be able to identify the smaller states (by population), because the sample size is so small and, in some cases, there are conflicts with the Census Bureau’s confidentiality measures. We may be able to identify groups of smaller states.

We have not yet chosen the list of metropolitan areas that will receive supplemental samples in the 2015 survey. Our tentative plan is to select the “N” largest areas by population (where the value of “N” has yet to be decided). However, we are willing to consider other arrangements.

Dav Vandenbroucke
Senior Economist
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
451 7th Street SW, Room 8222
Washington, DC 20410

Email david.a.vandenbroucke@hud.gov
Phone 202-402-5890

    Aside from adding information about students (which seams like a good idea), during this re-sampling venture, more focus should be given to expanding the geographical coverage of the American Housing Survey. Each state should have at least information about its largest metropolitan area. This additional coverage will have numerous benefits such as augmenting the strength of time-series panel studies often used to evaluate public policy outcomes and increasing the accuracy of nationwide statistics.

    Data on home-equity for the past few years, for example, has likely been skewed negatively since the survey does not cover Nevada, Maine or Hawaii - states amongst the top ten nationwide with the worst negative equity levels. Furthermore, California holds an overwhelming influence on statistics about the western region. CA has eight metro areas surveyed, while the other western states have either one or no metro areas surveyed. A more comprehensive coverage can help mitigate if not solve those issues.

    Will it be possible to expand the geographical coverage?

    Luis Arturo Lopez
    Data Analyst
    Lied Institute for Real Estate Studies
    Lee Business School
    University of Nevada, Las Vegas
    4505 S. Maryland Parkway
    Las Vegas, NV 89154
    Cell phone: (702) 466-4863
    Office phone: (702) 895-3223
    *My office number is temporarily out of service.

 

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