American Housing Survey (AHS)

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Summary

The American Housing Survey (AHS), sponsored by HUD and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, has been the most comprehensive national housing survey in the United States since its inception in 1973, providing current information on the size, composition, and quality of the nation’s housing and measuring changes in our housing stock as it ages. The AHS is a longitudinal housing unit survey conducted biennially in odd-numbered years, with samples redrawn in 1985 and 2015.

https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs.html
Agency HUD
Related Agency DOC, CENSUS
Data Checkup

Historical Data Availability

No Known Issue

Future Data Availability

Moderate Risk
On May 12, 2025, HUD announced that, due to methodology changes that are intended to improve data processes, collection that was initially planned to begin May 1, 2025, was delayed until January 2026 or later.

Data Quality

Moderate Risk
On May 12, 2025, HUD announced that, due to methodology changes that are intended to improve data processes, collection that was initially planned to begin May 1, 2025, was delayed until January 2026 or later.

Statutory Context

No Known Issue
According to the Census Bureau, "Congress requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to collect this information under the Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983 (Title 12 of the U.S.C., Section 1701z-1, 1701z-2(g), and 1701z-10a)."

Staffing and Funding

Moderate Risk
From FY2024 to FY2026, HUD lost more than one-third of its staffing. The FY2027 House Committee appropriations proposes an 8% reduction in HUD funding. From FY2024 to FY2026, the Census Bureau has lost more than 2,500 staff (~ 20%). While the FY27 President's Budget requests an approximately 30% increase for the Census Bureau, the proposal recommends reductions to many programs and surveys. In May 2026, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its version of the budget, proposing level funding at FY26 levels.

Policy

High Risk
An Information Collection Request submitted on 3/12/2025 removed questions on and references to gender identity due to EO 14168 Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.
Last updated: 2026-10-26
Primary URL https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs.html

Details

OMB Control Number 2528-0017
Authorizing Statutes 12 USC 1701z-10(a), 12 USC 1701z-2(g)
Related ICRs
Reference Number Title Agency Status Request Type
202502-2528-006 2025 American Housing Survey (AHS) HUD/PD&R Active
No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection
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