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using the AHS flat file

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Richard Levy (rlevy@nmhc.org) asks:

>>Hello all...when using the flat file, what is the best way to make sure you're
only pulling off the household record? In the modular file, one can specify
REL=1 or REL=2. I'm not quite sure how to do it using the flat file. If I'm
using a "HH" variable, I seem to be pulling off just the household record, but
I'd like to know if there's a particular variable I should be using. Thank you.<<

The whole point of the flat file is that there is only one record per household. Thus, it's not quite clear what you mean by "pulling off the household record." If you mean you want the characteristics of the householder, then, yes, the HH variables give you that. Also, if you used the file flattener program that we supply, then the characteristics that end with "1" (Race1, Span1, etc.) are those of the householder. The program makes sure of this.

If I'm missing the point of your question, please give it another try.

Dav Vandenbroucke
Economist
U.S. Dept. HUD
david_a._vandenbroucke@hud.gov
202-708-1060 ext. 5890