Skip to main content

AHS Digest

HUD.GOV HUDUser.gov
eList
AHS


Here are the AHS Digest messages:


= = = = = = = = = = = =

From: Rachel Drew <rdrew@gsd.harvard.edu> on 2/12/2004 9:37:53 AM
Subject: Utilities included in rent

I'm wondering if there is a standard methodology, or one that other users have
found appropriate, for identifying rental units with utilities included in the
contract rent. Do you only count those with both heat/fuel and electricity
included, or units with either utility included, or some other qualifiers. Is
the reporting of included utilities considered pretty reliable, or subject to a
high degree of mis-reporting?

Thanks,
Rachel Drew
Research Specialist
Joint Center for Housing Studies
617.495.9296
rdrew@gsd.harvard.edu


= = = = = = = = = = = =

From: david_a._vandenbroucke@hud.gov on 2/12/2004 9:54:28 AM
Subject: AHS: 2003 Update

I just thought you'd like to know that yesterday we received our first copy of
the AHS 2003 national dataset, for quality control purposes. We will begin
comparing it against previous datasets, checking for unusually large changes,
and working with the Census Bureau to determine whether these are real changes
in the housing stock or evidence of errors in processing.

I know that what you really want to know is when you can get your hands on the
data. All I can give you is my stock answer, that we will release the file as
soon as it is ready. From previous experience, I don't expect that to be
before the beginning of the summer.

I'm also pleased to be able to report that last week we signed a contract with
Econometrica, Inc. for analytical support services, including quality control,
codebook maintenance, and additional studies. Econometrica was a subcontractor
for last year's analytical support contract and featured in the housing loss
and rental dynamics studies. Last year's prime contractor, ICF Consulting, is
now a subcontractor, meaning that we still have access to their expertise.

In addition to the quality control and codebook tasks, this year's contract
includes a combined CINCH and rental dynamics study based on the 2002 metro
survey, a look at remodeling behavior just before and after houses are sold,
and an examination of differences in commuting patterns between recent movers
and those who change jobs without moving.

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


= = = = = = = = = = = =

From: david_a._vandenbroucke@hud.gov on 2/13/2004 3:12:52 PM
Subject: Utilities included in rent

Rachel Drew (rdrew@gsd.harvard.edu) asks:

>>I'm wondering if there is a standard methodology, or one that other users have
found appropriate, for identifying rental units with utilities included in the
contract rent. Do you only count those with both heat/fuel and electricity
included, or units with either utility included, or some other qualifiers. Is
the reporting of included utilities considered pretty reliable, or subject to a
high degree of mis-reporting?<<

In the AHS we ask and report each fuel individually, along with trash pickup
and water service. You can look in the codebook for the variables that start
with "BUY."

I don't know the answer to the second part of your question. Table Y of
Appendix D of the AHS reports (also available at
http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/housing/ahs/ahs01/appendixd.pdf ) shows the
results of reinterview checks of selected AHS items, but the BUY variable
questons aren't included. That probably means that those items weren't
included in the reinterviews. The text of the appendix says that the items
included were those thought to be inconsistent, and so the absence of the BUY
variables is at least a weak indicator of consistency. (Perhaps one of my
colleagues at Census will chime in with more information.)

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


= = = = = = = = = = = =

From: david_a._vandenbroucke@hud.gov on 2/13/2004 3:17:52 PM
Subject: Just Released: Analysis of Housing Finance Issues Using the American Housing Survey

The announcement below was posted on the HUD USER announcement mailing list.
I'm crossposting it here because it concerns the AHS. My apologies to those of
you who subscribe to both mailing lists.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------

From: HUD USER News

The biannual American Housing Survey (AHS) national
sample provides housing researchers with robust and
reliable data on household size, location, tenure,
housing costs, and other variables. But while the AHS is
one of the most useful housing datasets available, data
collected about mortgages are generally underused in
research because the reliability of these variables has
not been verified.

A recent study commissioned by HUD's Office of Policy
Development and Research (PD&R) titled "Analysis of
Housing Finance Issues Using the American Housing Survey"
analyzes the validity of these mortgage-related
variables. The authors analyze the extent to which sample
size, survey design, and interview response affect the
accuracy and consistency of the mortgage data contained
in the AHS.

The study used a replication and a longitudinal analysis
to test the reliability of these and other mortgage-
related variables. The replication analysis was performed
using benchmark data sets from a number of sources,
including Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data and
Residential Finance Survey (RFS) data, just to name a
few. The longitudinal analysis examined the internal
reliability of AHS variables over time. In both
analyses, the authors emphasize the importance of
recognizing the sampling variability of estimates
obtained from the AHS.

The analysis showed that AHS market measures are
generally accurate for volume estimates or mortgage
origination volume. The AHS also tended to report
underestimated refinance loan origination amounts and
understated amounts for ARM mortgage payment product
type.

Internally, several inconsistencies were found between
data reported over the years. The authors expressed
concern that the accuracy of owners' responses declines
over time. The authors found that, for most variables,
between 80 and 90 percent of respondents reported most
mortgage information consistently over time, but
information on origination amount, monthly payment
amount, and interest rate information was far less
reliable, with only 40 percent of respondents reporting
interest rate data consistently.

The report provides a list of AHS mortgage variables that
are reliable. These include:

o Mortgage Originations for Home-Purchase Loans;
o Volume and Share by Market Segment;
o Original Mortgage Amount;
o Interest Rate;
o First-time homebuyer; and
o Borrower Race/Ethnicity.

The following variables were found to be unreliable or
uncertain:

o Refinances;
o Jumbo Loans;
o Payment Product Types;
o Loan-to-Value Ratios; and
o Borrower Income.

The study concludes with recommendations for
modifications to the survey, such as new questions about
the number of recent refinances and the mortgage payment
status to capture delinquency or default.

"Analysis of Housing Finance Issues Using the American
Housing Survey" is available for download from HUD USER
at
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/ahs.html
or in printed form for a nominal charge by calling HUD
USER at 1-800-245-2691.
--------------------------------------
Please contact HUD USER at:
HUD USER
P.O. Box 23268
Washington, DC 20026-3268
1-800-245-2691
1-800-927-7589 (TDD)
202-708-9981 (fax)
--------------------------------------

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


= = = = = = = = = = = =

From: Cyberbl5@aol.com on 2/14/2004 6:31:14 AM
Subject: Re: Welcome to the ListServ

thank you.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To stop receiving the digest, send a message with DIGEST OFF in the subject.