American Housing Survey, 1985: MSA File

This data collection contains information from samples of housing units in 11 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). Data include year the structure was built, type and number of living quarters, occupancy status, presence of commercial or medical establishments on the property, and property value. Additional data focus on kitchen and plumbing facilities, type of heating fuel used, source of water, sewage disposal, and heating and air-conditioning equipment. Questions concerning quality of housing include condition of walls and floors, adequacy of heat in winter, availability of electrical outlets, basement and roof water leakage, and exterminator service for mice or rats. Data on housing expenses include amount of mortgage or rent payments and costs of utilities, fuel, garbage collection, property insurance, and real estate taxes. Respondents who had moved recently were questioned about characteristics of the previous residence and reasons for moving. Residents were also asked to evaluate the quality of their neighborhoods with respect to such issues as crime, street noise, quality of roads, commercial activities, presence of trash, litter, abandoned structures or offensive odors, and adequacy of services such as police protection, shopping facilities, and schools. In addition to housing characteristics, some demographic information is provided on household members, such as age, sex, race, marital status, income, and relationship to householder. Additional data are available on the householder, including years of school completed, Spanish origin, and length of residence.