Census Seeks Another Three Years of Housing Survey Answers
Published Date: 10/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The Census Bureau is asking to keep their Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions going for another three years without changes. This survey checks in monthly with builders and owners about new homes being built, sold, and finished, helping track the housing market. Around 19,353 new buildings are sampled yearly, with about 177,700 quick 5-minute interviews, and the current approval expires March 31, 2027.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
SOC drops non‑permit area sampling
Beginning in January 2027, the Census Bureau will stop sampling non-permit-issuing areas for the Survey of Construction (SOC). From 2027 forward, SOC estimates will be based only on permit-issuing areas; non-permit estimates were said to represent less than 1% of single-family estimates.
Participation is voluntary
If the Census Bureau contacts you for the SOC, you are not legally required to respond—the survey is voluntary. The SOC collects data monthly but responding remains voluntary under the notice.
Annual sample size and time burden
Each year the SOC samples 19,353 new buildings and results in an estimated 177,702 interviews, with an average response time of 5 minutes and total burden of 14,809 hours per year.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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