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The AHS is a household survey that asks questions about the quality of housing in the United States. In gathering information, Census Bureau interviewers visit or telephone the household occupying each housing unit in the sample. For unoccupied units, they obtain information from landlords, rental agents, or neighbors.
The AHS Is Actually Two SurveysThe AHS conducts a national survey and a metropolitan area survey. Both surveys are conducted during a 3- to 7- month period.
The national survey, which gathers information on housing throughout the country, interviews at about 55,000 housing units every 2 years, in odd-numbered years.
The metropolitan area survey consists of 47 metropolitan areas, where householders are interviewed every 6 years. We gather data for about 14 metropolitan areas on an even numbered year until all 47 metropolitan areas are surveyed. The cycle begins again 6 years later. Every 4 years, six of the largest metropolitan areas are included with the national sample.
Since 1984, each metropolitan area is represented by a sample of at least 3,200 designated housing units. The units are divided between the central city and the rest of the metropolitan area.
A sample of housing units in all survey areas was selected from the decennial census. These are updated by a sample of addresses obtained from building permits (for new construction) to include housing units added since the sample was selected.
Where are the homes in the national survey located? They come from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The survey goes back to the same housing units on a regular basis, recording changes in characteristics, adding and deleting units when applicable.
This cross-sectioning of the housing inventory gives a picture of houses and households as they change over long periods of time.
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