The American Housing Survey monitors supply and demand, as well as changes in housing conditions and costs, in order to assess housing needs. For more information, go to the survey page.

The AHS is conducted every other year between May and September in odd-numbered years. HUD sometimes adjusts this schedule and/or sample depending on budget constraints. 

No. 

HUD uses the AHS to improve efficiency and effectiveness and design of housing programs appropriate for different target groups, such as first-time home buyers and the elderly. Academic researchers and private organizations also use AHS data in efforts of specific interest and concern to their respective communities.

Yes. HUD sponsors the survey under the authority of Title 12, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 1701z-1, 1701z-2(g), and 1701z-10a.

The U.S. Census Bureau performs the work under the authority of Title 13, United States Code, Section 8. Title 13 U.S.C., Section 9 requires us to keep all information collected strictly confidential.

All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect all information that could identify individuals. Disclosing ANY information that could identify you or your family means 5 years in prison, or $250,000 in fines, or both.

These data are released approximately 12 months after the data collection.

Get access to the data tools through the AHS Table Creator, and through SAS or CSV files on the AHS website.

• AHS Table Creator
• National and Metropolitan Area Factsheets 
• National and Metropolitan Area Public Use Files (PUF) 

• Size and composition of the nation’s housing inventory
• Vacancies 
• Fuel usage 
• Physical condition of housing unit(s)
• Characteristics of occupants 
• Equipment breakdowns
• Home improvements
• Mortgages and other housing costs
• Persons eligible for and beneficiaries of subsidized housing
• Home values
• Characteristics of recent movers