guide to 

hud user

data sets 
2

This guide is intended to serve as a helpful reference tool for the 


data sets available from the HUD USER Clearinghouse, and on our 


website at www.huduser.org. We have provided a brief 


description of each data set along with its Web address, 


release data, format(s), and the timeframe to which the data applies.
 

For assistance, or to order by phone, please call our HUD USER Help Desk 


at (800) 245–2691, option 1, M - F 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. EST.
 
Table of ConTenTs
 

Data Set Reference Guide............................................................................................................ii
 

50th Percentile Rent Estimates ...................................................................................................1
 

American Housing Survey (National Data) ...................................................................................1
 

American Housing Survey (Metropolitan Data) ............................................................................1
 

Annual Adjustment Factors..........................................................................................................2
 

Assisted Housing: National and Local..........................................................................................2
 

Components of Inventory Change................................................................................................2
 

Consolidated Planning (CHAS Data).............................................................................................3
 

Fair Market Rents........................................................................................................................3
 

Government Sponsored Enterprise Data ......................................................................................4
 

Housing Affordability Data System ..............................................................................................4
 

Income Limits..............................................................................................................................4
 

Uniform Relocation Act Income Limits .........................................................................................5
 

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Database ..................................................................................5
 

Manufactured Home and Subprime Lender List...........................................................................5
 

Metropolitan Area Look-Up..........................................................................................................6
 

Multifamily Tax Subsidy Income Limits........................................................................................6
 

Neighborhood Stabilization Program Data ...................................................................................6
 

Physical Inspection Scores ..........................................................................................................7
 

Picture of Subsidized Households................................................................................................7
 

Property Owners & Managers Survey..........................................................................................7
 

Qualified Census Tracts and Difficult Development Areas............................................................8
 

Residential Finance Survey..........................................................................................................8
 

Special Tabulations of Households...............................................................................................8
 

State of the Cities Data Systems .................................................................................................9
 

i
DaTa seT referenCe guiDe 

Each data set is rated by its relevance and usefulness for research in the designated categories. Housing Markets Housing Finance Disabilities Community/ Neighborhood Conditions Demographics Homelessness Fair Housing Economic Conditions Quality of Life Rural 

50th Percentile 

Rent Estimates High — — — — — — Low — — 

American Housing 

Survey High High — Medium — — Low Low Medium Low 

Annual Adjustment 

Factors High — — — — — — Low — — 

CINCH High Low — — Low — — Medium — — 

Consolidated Planning Medium — — High High — Medium Medium Low — 

Fair Market 

Rents High — — — — — — Low — — 

Geographic 

Information Systems Medium Medium Low High High — Low Low Low Low 

Government 

Sponsored Enterprise 

Data 

— High — — — — Medium — — — 

Housing Affordability 

Data System High Medium — Low — — — Low — — 

Income Limits High — — — — — — Low — — 

Low-Income Housing 

Tax Credit Medium Medium — — — — — — — — 

Manufactured Home & 

Subprime Lender List — High — — — — Low — — — 

Metropolitan Area 

Look-Up Low Low Low — Low — — Low Low — 

Metropolitan Area 

Quarterly Residential 

& Business Vacancy 

Report 

Medium — — Low — — — Low — — 

Multifamily Tax 

Subsidy Income Limits Medium Medium — — — — — Low — — 

Neighborhood 

Stabilization Data — — — High Medium — — Medium — — 

ii
Housing

Markets

Housing 

Finance

Disabilities

Community/

Neighborhood

Conditions

Demographics

Homelessness

Fair

Housing

Economic

Conditions

Quality

of Life

Rural 

Physical Inspection 

Scores Medium — — Low — — — — Medium — 

Picture of Subsidized 

Households High — — Low High — Medium — — Low 

Property Owners & 

Managers Survey Medium High — — — — — — — — 

Qualified Census 

Tracts & Difficult 

Development Areas 

Medium Medium — Medium — — — — — — 

Residential Financial 

Survey — High — — — — — — — — 

Special Tabulations of 

Households — — Low Medium Medium — Medium Low — — 

State of the Cities 

Data Systems Medium — — High Medium — — Medium Low — 

USPS Vacancies Data Medium Low — Medium — — Low Medium — — 

USPS Zip Code 

Crosswalk Files — — — Low — — — — — — 

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1

 

 

 

50TH PerCenTile renT esTiMaTes 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/50per.html

Rent estimates at the 50th percentile (or median) are calculated for all Fair Market Rent areas. 

THESE ARE NOT FAIR MARKET RENTS. Under certain conditions, as set forth in the Interim Rule 

(Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 191, Monday October 2, 2000, pages 58870 – 58875), these 50th 

percentile rents can be used to set success rate payment standards. 

Anticipated Release Date: Every October 

Format: Microsoft Excel 

Periods Available: Annual, 2001 – 2011 

aMeriCan Housing surVeY 

(naTional DaTa) 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/ahs.html

The American Housing Survey (AHS) is the most detailed, recurring national housing sample 

survey in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the AHS to obtain up-to-date 

housing statistics for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It provides data on 

apartments, single-family homes, mobile homes, vacant homes, family composition, income, 

housing and neighborhood quality, housing costs, equipment, fuels, sizes of housing units, and 

recent movers. 

Anticipated Release Date: Every other year in late spring
 

Formats: SAS, ASCII (self-extracting .exe)
 

Periods Available: Biennially, 1995 – 2009 on www.huduser.org. Data is available on CD-


ROMs for earlier periods: annually 1973 – 1983 and biennially 1985 – 1993.
 

aMeriCan Housing surVeY 

(MeTroPoliTan DaTa) 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/ahs.html

The American Housing Survey (AHS) is the most detailed, regular national housing sample survey in 

the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the AHS to obtain up-to-date housing statistics 

for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The metropolitan area surveys are conducted 

for 60 metropolitan areas, where householders are interviewed every 4 years. 

Anticipated Release Date: In fall for preceding year.
 

Formats: SAS, ASCII, ZIP (self-extracting .ZIP for 1995 and 1996)
 

Periods Available: 1995, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2009.
 

Data for earlier years (1974 – 1983 and 1984 – 2004) are available on CD-ROM.
 
2

 

 

annual aDJusTMenT faCTors 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/aaf.html

The Department of Housing and Urban Development establishes the rent adjustment factors — 

called Annual Adjustment Factors (AAFs) — on the basis of Consumer Price Index (CPI) data 

relating to changes in residential rent and utility costs. 

Anticipated Release Date: Every new calendar year
 

Formats: PDF (1997, 2000–01, 2003–05, 2010–2011);
 

Microsoft Word (1998–99, 2002, 2006–2009)
 

Periods Available: Annual, 1997 – 2011
 

assisTeD Housing: naTional anD loCal 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/assthsg.html

This data set is also known as A PICTURE OF SUBSIDIZED HOUSEHOLDS because it allows 

the user to sketch a picture of nearly five million subsidized households across the United 

States. It includes: (1) Totals, (2) Indian Housing, (3) Public Housing, (4) Section 8 Certificates 

and Vouchers, (5) Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation, (6) Section 8 New and Substantial 

Rehabilitation, (7) Section 236, (8) Other HUD subsidies, and (9) Low-Income Housing Tax 

Credits (LIHTC). 

Anticipated Release Date: March 

Formats: HTML, text file, self-extracting .exe 

Periods Available: 1996 – 1998, 2000, 2004 – 2009 

CoMPonenTs of inVenTorY CHange 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/cinch.html

The Components of Inventory Change (CINCH) reports are processed every two years, using 

data derived from the national American Housing Survey (AHS). The data compare the 

characteristics of individual housing units over time. This comparison allows researchers to see 

not only changes in the characteristics of housing units, but also changes in the characteristics 

of occupants. Information is available on the characteristics of units added and removed from 

the housing stock. 

Anticipated Release Date: Every other year 

Formats: PDF (all years), SAS and ASCII (2001 – 2009) 

Periods Available: Biennially, 1985 – 2009 
3

ConsoliDaTeD Planning (CHas DaTa) 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/cp.html

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) periodically receives “custom 

tabulations” of data from the U.S. Census Bureau that are largely not available through standard 

Census products. These data, known as the CHAS data (Comprehensive Housing Affordability 

Strategy), demonstrate the extent of housing problems and housing needs, particularly for lowincome households. The CHAS data are used by local governments to plan how to spend HUD 

funds, and may also be used by HUD to distribute grant funds. Elements of the CHAS data are 

available through CPD Maps, the online mapping tool from HUD’s Office of Community Planning 

and Development (http://egis.hud.gov/cpdmaps). 

The CHAS data used to be derived from the decennial Census but now rely on the American 

Community Survey (ACS). Going forward, the CHAS will be released annually based on ACS 

1-year, 3-year, or 5-year estimates. 

Anticipated Release Date: Annually, around October 

Formats: SAS, .csv 

Period Available: 2000, 2005 – 2007, 2006 – 2008, 2005 – 2009 

Note: Boundary files suitable for mapping the CHAS Data (using your own GIS software) can be 

obtained at www.huduser.org/geo/summarylevel.asp 

fair MarKeT renTs 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/fmr.html

Fair Market Rents (FMRs) determine the payment standard amounts for the Housing Choice 

Voucher program, determine initial renewal rents for some expiring project-based Section 8 

contracts, establish initial rents for housing assistance payment contracts, and serve as a rent 

ceiling for the HOME program. HUD calculates and publishes FMRs annually for each Office of 

Management and Budget metropolitan area and nonmetropolitan county. 

Anticipated Release Date: Every October 

Formats: PDF, HTML, Microsoft Excel 

Periods Available: Annual, 1983 – 2011 
4

goVernMenT sPonsoreD 

enTerPrise DaTa 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/gse.html

The Department of Housing and Urban Development publishes extensive information on the 

mortgage purchases of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two Government Sponsored Enterprises 

(GSEs) for which HUD had oversight responsibility through mid-2008. The information is 

intended to aid mortgage lenders, planners, researchers, and housing advocates in studying the 

flow of mortgage credit and capital in America’s communities. 

Anticipated Release Date: The Federal Housing Finance Agency,
 

now overseeing the GSEs, releases the data.
 

Format: ASCII (self-extracting .exe)
 

Periods Available: Annual, 1993 – 2007
 

Housing afforDabiliTY DaTa sYsTeM 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/hads/hads.html

The Housing Affordability Data System (HADS) is a set of files derived from the 1985 and later 

national American Housing Survey (AHS) and the 2002 and later Metro AHS. This system 

categorizes housing units by affordability and households by income, with respect to the 

Adjusted Median Income, Fair Market Rent (FMR), and poverty income. It also includes housing 

cost burden for owner and renter households. These files have been the basis for the worst case 

needs tables since 2001. The data files are available for public use, since they were derived 

from AHS public use files and the published income limits and FMRs. We are providing these 

files to give to the community of housing analysts the opportunity to use a consistent set of 

affordability measures. 

Anticipated Release Dates: Every other year 

Formats: ASCII, SAS 

Periods Available: Biennially, 1985 – 2009 (derived from AHS National Data), 2002 – 2009 

(derived from AHS Metro Data) 

inCoMe liMiTs 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/il.html

Income limits are calculated for metropolitan areas and nonmetropolitan counties in the United 

States and its territories using the Fair Market Rent (FMR) area definitions used in the Section 

8 program. They are based on HUD estimates of median family income, with adjustments for 

family size. Adjustments are also made for areas that have unusually high or low income-tohousing cost relationships. 

Anticipated Release Date: Every new calendar year 

Formats: Microsoft Word, PDF, HTML, Microsoft Excel 

Periods Available: Annual, 1990 – 2011 
5

 

 

 

 

 

uniforM reloCaTion 

aCT inCoMe liMiTs 

http://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/ura.html

The Uniform Relocation Act Income Limits establish the extent of replacement housing 

assistance dependent on qualifying as Low-income, as defined by HUD. The Act applies to all 

Federal agencies that initiate action that forces households to relocate from their residence. 

Anticipated Release Date: Every new calendar year 

Formats: PDF and Microsoft Word 

Periods Available: 2004 – 2011 

loW-inCoMe Housing TaX 

CreDiT DaTabase 

http://lihtc.huduser.org/

The LIHTC database is the only complete national source of information on the size, unit 

mix, and location of individual projects. Through our continued support of the national LIHTC 

database, HUD is assisting researchers in their efforts to learn more about the effects of the tax 

credit program. 

Anticipated Release Date: Early fall
 

Formats: HTML, dBase (self-extracting .ZIP)
 

Periods Available: Annual. The database covers LIHTC projects placed in
 

service from 1987 to 2009.
 

ManufaCTureD HoMe anD 

subPriMe lenDer lisT 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/manu.html

HUD periodically identifies a list of lenders who specialize in either subprime or manufactured 

home lending. The subprime and manufactured home lender list is updated and revised in 

response to feedback from lenders, policy analysts, housing advocacy groups, and other list 

users. 

Anticipated Release Date: Intermittent 

Format: Microsoft Excel 

Periods Available: Annual, 1993 – 2006 
6

MeTroPoliTan area looK-uP 

http://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/geotools.html

The Metropolitan Area Look-Up provides the user with a facility to select a state and county 

combination to determine if the selected county is part of an Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) defined Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA). The system has been updated with OMB 

area definitions published for FY 2009. (FY 2009 OMB CBSA Publication) 

Anticipated Release Date: Following any major OMB revisions of the CBSA 

Formats: Web-based look up table 

Periods Available: 2009 

MulTifaMilY TaX 

subsiDY inCoMe liMiTs 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/mtsp.html

Multifamily Tax Subsidy Projects (MTSP) Income Limits were developed to meet the 

requirements established by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Public Law 

110-289) that allows 2007 and 2008 projects to increase over time. The MTSP Income Limits 

are used to determine qualification levels, as well as to set maximum rental rates for projects 

funded with tax credits authorized under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) and 

projects financed with tax-exempt housing bonds issued to provide qualified residential rental 

development under section 142 of the Code. 

Anticipated Release Dates: Annually 

Formats: HTML, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, PDF 

Periods Available: 2009 – 2010 

neigHborHooD sTabiliZaTion

PrograM DaTa 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/nsp.html

HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization data supplies program application and program support 

information for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). NSP provides grants to every 

state, certain local communities, and other organizations to purchase foreclosed or abandoned 

homes and to rehabilitate, resell, or redevelop these homes in order to stabilize neighborhoods 

and stem the decline of house values of neighboring homes. The program is authorized under 

Title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. There have been three rounds of 

funding for NSP in 2008, 2009, and 2010. 

Anticipated Release Date: Ongoing 

Format: Mapping tools and Microsoft Excel 

Period Available: 2008, 2009, 2010 
7

 

 

PHYsiCal insPeCTion sCores 

http://www.huduser.org/portal/datasets/pis.html

HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center conducts physical property inspections of properties that 

are owned, insured, or subsidized by HUD, including public housing and multifamily assisted 

housing. This release provides a full historical view of the results of those inspections, providing 

point-in-time property scores. Results are available for download as a comma-delimited data 

set. Separate data sets are available for public housing and for multifamily assisted properties. 

Anticipated Release Dates: Annual 

Formats: TXT, Microsoft Excel 

Periods Available: 2001 – 2010 

PiCTure of subsiDiZeD HouseHolDs 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/assthsg.html

This data set allows the user to sketch a picture of nearly five million subsidized households 

across the United States. It includes: (1) Totals, (2) Indian Housing, (3) Public Housing, (4) 

Section 8 Certificates and Vouchers, (5) Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation, (6) Section 8 New 

and Substantial Rehabilitation, (7) Section 236, (8) Other HUD subsidies, and (9) Low-Income 

Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). 

Anticipated Release Date: March 

Formats: HTML, text file, self-extracting .exe 

Periods Available: 1996 – 1998, 2000, 2004 – 2009 

ProPerTY oWners & Managers surVeY 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/poms.html

The Property Owners and Managers Survey (POMS) Overview, Summary Tables, and Source 

and Accuracy Statement are available from the U.S. Census Bureau. POMS was designed 

to gain a better understanding of the property owners and managers on whom the nation 

depends to provide affordable rental housing, and of what motivates and shapes their rental and 

maintenance policies. 

Anticipated Release Date: This was a one-time survey. 

Formats: SAS, ASCII, dBase 

Period Available: 1995 – 1996 
8

 

 

QualifieD Census TraCTs anD 

DiffiCulT DeVeloPMenT areas 

http://qct.huduser.org/

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Qualified Census Tracts must have 50 percent of households 

with incomes below 60 percent of the Area Median Gross Income (AMGI) or have a poverty 

rate of 25 percent or more. Difficult Development Areas are designated by HUD and are based 

on Fair Market Rents, Income Limits, and the 2000 Census counts. Maps of Qualified Census 

Tracts are available at: http://qct.huduser.org/ QCTGIS/USMainLand/Map.aspx. 

Anticipated Release Date: Difficult Development Areas are updated annually in autumn.
 

Qualified Census Tracts may be updated simultaneously with Difficult Development Areas.
 

Formats: PDF, dBase, HTML
 

Periods Available: Annual, 2000 – Current year
 

resiDenTial finanCe surVeY 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/rfs.html

The 2001 Residential Finance Survey (RFS) was sponsored by the Department of Housing and 

Urban Development and conducted by the Census Bureau. The RFS is a follow-on survey to 

the 2000 decennial census designed to collect, process, and produce information about the 

financing of all nonfarm, residential properties. 

Anticipated Release Date: Survey was completed twice. 

Formats: Self-extracting .exe, ASCII 

Periods Available: 1991, 2001 

sPeCial TabulaTions of HouseHolDs 

http://www.huduser.org/datasets/spectabs.html

The Special Tabulations data retrieval system produces tabular statistical summaries of counts 

of households by tenure, income intervals, age of householder, size of household, and housing 

conditions. Previous tabulations are based on the 1990 and 2000 Census for select geographic 

areas in the United States. Since the Census long form (from which this information has been 

derived in the past) has been discontinued, PD&R and HUD USER will endeavor to derive the 

same or substantively similar information from 5-year American Community Survey data. 

Anticipated Release Date: 2010 Special Tabulations data (derived from 5-year [2005-2009]
 

American Community Survey) is anticipated for release in 2012.
 

Format: HTML 


Periods Available: 1990, 2000 (derived from Census long form)
 
sTaTe of THe CiTies DaTa sYsTeMs 

http://socds.huduser.org/index.html

The State of the Cities Data Systems (SOCDS) consists of the following databases that cover 

metropolitan areas, central cities, and suburbs: Historical Census Data, Current Employment 

Statistics, County Business Patterns Data, FBI Crime Data, Building Permits Data, Urban Public 

Finance Data, and Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) Data. 

Anticipated Release Dates: Current Labor Force and Building Permits data are updated
 

monthly; FBI Crime data and County Business Pattern Special Extracts are updated annually.
 

SOCDS Census and Urban Public Finance data updates occur as new data become available.
 

New databases may be added periodically.
 

Format: HTML
 

Periods Available: Periodic, 1970 – Current Year
 

9
 
Many of HUD USER’s data sets can be downloaded, free of charge, by visiting 


our website at www.huduser.org. The Government Sponsored Enterprise and 


the American Housing Survey data sets are available on CD-ROM for a nominal 


fee by calling the HUD USER Help Desk at (800) 245–2691, option 1, M - F 8:30 a.m. 


to 5:15 p.m. EST or by visiting the HUD USER Web Store at webstore.huduser.org. 


For the latest information on any of the data sets, 


please visit www.huduser.org/datasets/pdrdatas.html.
 

10
U.S. Department of Housing and 

Urban Development 

Office of Policy Development and Research 

Washington, DC 20410-6000