OCR Text |
Show Housing survey is economic indicator The 1989 survey of housing in the United States has begun in this area. The Census Bureau and the Department of Housing 'and Urban ' Development planned the survey to obtain current information on housing, hous-ing, one of the nation's key" economic indicators. Across the country the bureau has selected a sample of 56,000 housing units from, the national stock of 100 million. It updates the sample every other year to reflect new construction, other additions, and losses from the inventory. A related housing survey covering 11 specific metropolitan areas started in March. The national survey makes possible comparison of the number and types of housing as well as changes in the total housing stock and the cost of housing, services and utilities. It also provides data on characteristics of structures and their occupants. Census Bureau representatives will interview households for about five months and will send each household an announcement beforehand. Owners, rental agents, or neighbors will be asked to provide pro-vide information on unoccupied units. The agencies will issue results late in 1990, including data for the nation, regions, urban and rural areas, combined metropolitan areas (both inside and outside central cities), and nonmetropolitan areas. |