Document provide in response to OMB Questions

This document accompanies the OMB Clearance Request for collection of the Housing Vacancy Survey
(HVS) (OMB Control Number 0607- 0179). This document provides excerpts of training instruction
for Field Representatives; each excerpt is separated by a summary description.
The following pages are an extract from a self-study training for Field Representatives, and
explain the various sections of the “front” of the Current Population Survey. Different types of
interviews and non-interviews are explained, then the Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS) is
introduced, and instructions are given on what situations will lead to the HVS.

Lesson 9

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

Table of Contents

Lesson 9 - The Front of the CPS Instrument ............................................... 1
Objectives ........................................................................................................................... 1
Your Responsibilities .......................................................................................................... 1
CPS Start Screen (START_CP) .......................................................................................... 2
Type of Interview ................................................................................................................ 2
Precode 1--Telephone Interview ............................................................................. 2
Precode 2--Personal Interview (see Roster) ............................................................ 3
Precode 3--Personal Interview (Skip all notes and go to INTROB_CP) ............... 3
Precode 4–Noninterview ......................................................................................... 3
Precode 5–Ready to transmit case–no more followup ............................................ 3
Precode 6–Quit: Do not attempt now...................................................................... 3
What is a Noninterview? ..................................................................................................... 3
Types of Noninterviews ...................................................................................................... 4
Type A Noninterviews ............................................................................................ 4
Type B Noninterviews ............................................................................................ 5
Type C Noninterviews ............................................................................................ 7
Housing Vacancy Survey.................................................................................................... 9
Which Cases ask HVS Questions ....................................................................................... 9
Beginning the Interview .................................................................................................... 10
Summary ........................................................................................................................... 10
Review .............................................................................................................................. 10

Lesson 8
Lesson 8
Instrument

Review Quiz - The Front of the CPS Instrument ........... 11
Answer Key to Review Quiz - The Front of the CPS
13

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

Lesson 9

Lesson 9 - The Front of the CPS Instrument
Objectives

Earlier in this self-study you learned there are three parts to the
CPS instrument–the front, middle and back. In this lesson you
will navigate through the front part of the CPS instrument
which includes noninterviews. At the conclusion of this lesson,
you will be able to:
•
•
•
•
•
•

•
•

Your
Responsibilities

Know who the respondent is.
Learn about the respondent’s initial personal contact
with an FR.
Learn how to answer respondents questions about CPS.
Learn about building rapport with respondents.
Determine who is a household member and which
members require interviewing.
Learn the definitions of living quarters and group
quarters.
Know what a noninterview is.
Know the different types of noninterviews.

Your job is to contact each unit in your assignment and to
conduct an interview with a knowledgeable member of each
household. When you go to the household to conduct the
interview, you should have your laptop booted up, selected the
sample address in Case Management, and pressed [F2] to begin
the interview. This way you are ready to begin without having
the respondent wait for you.

9-1

The Front of the CPS Instrument

Lesson 9

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

CPS Start Screen
(START_CP)

The illustration below shows the main CPS screen. The only
difference between this screen and the same screen in the CPS
production instrument are the words “Training Instrument.”
The training instrument uses fictitious sample addresses that are
not used in any way with the real CPS sample addresses.

Type of Interview

At the START_CP screen, the first thing you must determine is
the type of interview.

Precode 1-Telephone
Interview

You may remember that telephone interviews can be conducted
for all interview months except for the 1st and 5th months.
The 1st and 5th month interviews must be conducted in person.
Additionally, if a person requests an interview in person, we will
conduct all interviews for that household in person.

9-2

The Front of the CPS instrument

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

Lesson 9

Precode 2-Personal
Interview (see
Roster)

Notice in the illustration on the previous page that you have two
choices for conducting a personal interview. When you select
precode 2, the instrument will take you to the roster to see who
the household members are. In addition, precode 2 allows you
to view any case-level notes for that case. It is recommended
that for all interview months, you select precode 2.

Precode 3-Personal
Interview (Skip
all notes and
go to
INTROB_CP)

As a general rule, you will not select precode 3. But in some
instances, you may not want to see the household roster and/or
the notes for the sample address. For instance, maybe you
conducted part of the interview earlier in the day and the
respondent indicated to call back later that evening. In this case,
you may not need to review the roster or notes, so you would
select precode 3 to skip these and go directly to the introduction
screen.

Precode 4–
Noninterview

Select precode 4 if for any reason you cannot conduct the
interview. We’ll go into more detail on this precode in just a
moment. First, let’s finish reviewing the remaining precodes.

Precode 5–
Ready to
transmit case–
no more
followup

Select precode 5 if you were able to collect some of the
information but were not able to complete the entire case. For
instance, if it is time to closeout and you haven’t been able to
contact all eligible members in the household, you would select
precode 5 to transmit the case with the partial information you
collected.

Precode 6–
Quit: Do not
attempt now

This precode is self-explanatory. You select precode 6 if you’re
not ready to begin interviewing, or if you selected the wrong
case.

What is a
Noninterview?

Precode 4 was briefly mentioned above, but let’s take a more indepth look at noninterviews The majority of the people you
contact will readily agree to participate in the survey. However,
there will be some interviews that you just can’t get – either you
are unable to obtain an interview with any household members,
or circumstances that are out of your control prevent you from
obtaining an interview. Anytime you don’t get an interview
for a sample household, we call this case a noninterview.

9-3

The Front of the CPS Instrument

Lesson 9

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

Although a small percentage of the households contacted for
CPS will refuse to participate, there are other reasons, besides
a refusal, for not getting a completed interview.
Types of
Noninterviews

If you are unable to interview at a sample household, you must
explain why. The reasons for noninterviews are classified into
three general types:
1.
2.
3.

Type A
Noninterviews

Type A.
Type B.
Type C.

Type A noninterviews occur when you fail to get an interview
with an eligible sample household. Always talk with your
supervisor before classifying a case as a Type A. The office
will be sure that all efforts have been exhausted before accepting
a Type A noninterview. The Type A categories are:
•

No One Home–You are unable to contact someone after
repeated attempts, even though you know (or have been
told) the unit is occupied. This is called a “No One
Home” or NOH.

•

Temporarily Absent–The occupants are temporarily
away, for example, on vacation and will not be home
before the end of the interview period. This is also
known as a TA.

•

Refused–You should make every reasonable effort to
gain cooperation from the households assigned to you for
interview. In a few cases, the respondent may refuse to
cooperate or respond with only “no change” answers. In
these few cases, complete the case as a Type A
Noninterview, “Refused.”

9-4

The Front of the CPS instrument

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

Lesson 9

•

Language Barrier–Occasionally, you will come across
an entire household that does not speak English. If this
occurs, contact your RO so an interpreter can be found.
If the RO cannot arrange for an interpreter to complete
the interview, complete the case as a Type A
Noninterview, “Language Barrier.”

•

Unable to Locate–There may be some instances when
you cannot locate a residence. If you come across this
situation, refer to Section 1.3, (pages 1-5) of the Listing
and Coverage Manual. Once you follow the procedures
in the Manual and the instructions from your supervisor,
if you still are unable to locate the address, complete the
case as a Type A Noninterview, “Unable to Locate.”

•

Other Occupied (Specify)–This classification covers
rare situations where the unit is occupied, but you are
still unable to get an interview (for example, a unit is
quarantined for health reasons and a telephone interview
is not possible).

Some of these Type A noninterview reasons are out of your
control, like a family being away on vacation. Other Type A
reasons, such as refusals, can be prevented with practice. You
learned valuable techniques to prevent refusals from your
generic initial training which you completed prior to this selfstudy.
Type B
Noninterviews

A Type B noninterview occurs when a household is not eligible
for an interview during the current interview period, but could
become eligible during the next interview period. The Type B
reasons are:
•

Vacant Regular (REG)–This unit is vacant but ready to
be occupied.

•

Vacant - Storage of Household Furniture–This unit is
not occupied by anyone and is used as storage of
household furniture only.

9-5

The Front of the CPS Instrument

Lesson 9

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

•

Unfit or To Be Demolished–If the inside of the unit is
exposed to the elements – either through one or more
missing or broken windows or holes in the exterior
walls or roof – it is a Type B, unfit or to be
demolished. Make sure this type of unit is unoccupied.

•

Under Construction, Not Ready–A unit that is being
built and all of its exterior windows and doors are not
installed, AND the final, usable floors are not finished.
However, if a unit under construction is beyond that
point, for example, the windows are in place but the
doors or finished floors are missing, categorize it as a
“Vacant - Regular.”

•

Converted to Temporary Business or Storage–This
is any unit that was previously a housing unit and is
being used as business space or storage space
temporarily.

•

Unoccupied Tent or Trailer Site–This is a site
intended for a trailer or tent, but currently does not
have a trailer or tent on it.

•

Permit Granted, Construction Not Started–In
Permit segments, you may encounter sites that are
intended to be new housing units, but construction has
not yet started.

•

Temporarily Occupied by Persons with URE
(Usual Residence Elsewhere) All people staying at
the household have a usual residence elsewhere. An
example of this type of noninterview would be people
staying at a beach house on vacation. You will
generally find this during the interview.

•

Occupied by Persons Under 15 Years of Age–This
type of noninterview occurs when there are no
household members that are 15 years old or older.
You will generally find this during the interview.

9-6

The Front of the CPS instrument

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

•

Type C
Noninterviews

Lesson 9

Other Type B (Specify)–This is a “catch all” for all
other Type B noninterviews, and includes any situation
in which a unit is not currently eligible to be
interviewed, but may be eligible during a future
interview time. Do not use this category for usual
residence elsewhere or Armed Forces households.

A Type C noninterview occurs when the household no longer
qualifies for a CPS interview. Always talk to your supervisor
before classifying a case as a Type C. The Type C categories
are:
•

Demolished–If you expect to find a structure at a
particular site, but you find that the structure has been
completely torn down or demolished, classify the unit as
Type C, Demolished.

•

House or Trailer Moved–This occurs if you find that
the house or trailer which existed at the address has been
moved to another address.

•

Address Outside Segment–This noninterview occurs
when the housing unit is outside of the segment
boundaries. This occurs in Area segments only. If it
does occur, call your RO for instructions on classifying
the case.

•

Converted to Permanent Business or Storage–This
includes any unit that was previously a housing unit, but
has been permanently converted to a business or storage
space.

•

Merged–This occurs when one housing unit merges with
another at the time of the original listing and the first of
the merged units is not in the current sample.

•

Condemned–This occurs when a unit is unoccupied
AND a sign or notice on the structure says,
“Condemned.”

9-7

The Front of the CPS Instrument

Lesson 9

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

•

Unused Serial #/Listing Sheet Line–This occurs
when a sample designation AND a serial number exist
on a line of the listing sheet that has no unit
designation.

•

Removed During Subsampling–This occurs when
you find a large number of EXTRA or additional units
and your RO eliminates cases from your workload to
make it more manageable. The RO will tell you which
units to Type C.

•

Unit Already Had a Chance of Selection–This
occurs for an EXTRA unit which has already been
given a chance of selection. This unit was on the
address list to select the CPS sample, but for various
reasons, showed up in our system as a completely
different address, thus giving it more than one chance
of selection.

•

Other Type C (Specify)–This includes any Type C
noninterview, that is, a case that must be permanently
removed from the sample, but cannot be classified into
any of the previous Type C categories, such as a
duplicate listing.

During classroom training, you will learn more about the
different types of noninterviews, but it’s extremely important
you remember the three different types of household-level
noninterviews: Type A, Type B, and Type C. Also refer to
Part C, Chapter 6 in your Interviewing Manual for more
detailed descriptions of noninterviews.
Because the CPS sample was chosen to represent many other
people with the same demographic and economic
backgrounds, it is important that we make every effort to
obtain each interview. Keeping Type A noninterviews to a
minimum helps us obtain the most accurate data possible.
You will receive more training on noninterviews and what
you can do to prevent them during the classroom training
session
9-8

The Front of the CPS instrument

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

Housing Vacancy
Survey

Lesson 9

The Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS) is a regular part of the
CPS. Each month, the CPS collects additional information on
certain sample units that have been identified as vacant housing
units.
The information collected from the HVS questions are used to:

Which Cases ask
HVS Questions

•

Estimate the trend in housing vacancies,

•

Provide information on the characteristics of vacant units
currently on the market, and

•

Determine the relationship between the supply and
demand for housing.

Not all cases are eligible for the HVS questions. The HVS
questions come up for cases that you have classified as a Type B
noninterview. These are:
•

Type B, Temporarily Occupied with persons with Usual
Residence Elsewhere (URE). The CPS instrument will
select the case(s) for you to asks the HVS questions.

•

Type B, Vacant Regular, and

•

Type B, Vacant Household Furniture Storage.

You will learn more about the HVS questions during classroom
training.

9-9

The Front of the CPS Instrument

Lesson 9

Beginning the
Interview

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

Once you’ve verified that you’re at the correct address you’re
ready to begin your interview. First, you will ask the
respondent questions regarding his/her living quarters, such
as whether their living quarters are owned or rented.
Then you will enter the type of housing unit based upon your
visual observation. You will recall that the types of living
quarters were discussed in Lesson 4 of this self-study. The
kinds of places in which people live vary – including houses,
hotels, apartments, boarding and rooming houses, trailers,
dormitories, nursing homes, prisons, and hospitals. These are
just a few examples of the wide variety of living quarters in
which people live.

Summary

This lesson provided you with information on the different
types of interview precodes. You also learned about the
three types of noninterviews.

Review

Now complete the review exercise for this lesson which
begins on the following page.

9-10

The Front of the CPS instrument

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

Lesson 9

Lesson 8 Review Quiz - The Front of the CPS Instrument
1.

When you are ready to conduct a CPS interview, what is the first thing you must
determine?
____________________________________________________________

2.

What are the types of noninterviews?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

3.

Classify the following, by entering the noninterview type on the right column.
Situation

Noninterview
Type

1.

After repeated visits to 1515 Aztec Way, you discover from a
neighbor that the occupants are traveling in Europe and will
return in about 5 weeks.

2.

In a Permit segment, you encounter a housing unit that is
under construction. It definitely will not be occupied by the
end of the interview period. It has some, but not all of it’s
windows in place.

3.

You have both units of a duplex in sample. One person owns
both units and occupies one of them. The other unit is
currently for rent, but the owner has not been able to find any
occupants for over 3 months.

4.

You are interviewing at a mobile home park. “Site 7,” which
has a sample designation of S04 on the listing sheet, does not
currently have a trailer occupying it.

5.

You find what appears to be a housing unit, but discover that
the owner of the unit, Dr. Donaldson, built a new house and
has converted the old house to a dental office.

9-11

The Front of the CPS Instrument

Lesson 9

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

Now compare your answers with
the answer key that follows.

9-12

The Front of the CPS instrument

CPS CAPI 271, Preclassroom Self-Study for CPS CAPI Initial Training
Revised January 2010

Lesson 8
1.

Lesson 9

Answer Key to Review Quiz - The Front of the
CPS Instrument

When you are ready to conduct a CPS interview, what is the first thing you must
determine?
You must determine the type of interview

2.

What are the types of noninterviews?
Type A, Type B, and Type C

3.

Classify the following, by entering the noninterview type on the right column.
Situation

Noninterview
Type

1.

After repeated visits to 1515 Aztec Way, you discover
from a neighbor that the occupants are traveling in
Europe and will return in about 5 weeks.

2.

In a Permit segment, you encounter a housing unit that is
Type B, Under
under construction. It definitely will not be occupied by
Construction, Not
the end of the interview period. It has some, but not all of Ready
it’s windows in place.

3.

You have both units of a duplex in sample. One person
Type B, Vacant
owns both units and occupies one of them. The other unit Regular
is currently for rent, but the owner has not been able to
find any occupants for over 3 months.

4.

You are interviewing at a mobile home park. “Site 7,”
which has a sample designation of S04 on the listing
sheet, does not currently have a trailer occupying it.

Type B, Unoccupied
Tent or Trailer Site

5.

You find what appears to be a housing unit, but discover
that the owner of the unit, Dr. Donaldson, built a new
house and has converted the old house to a dental office.

Type C, Converted
to Permanent
Business or Storage

9-13

Type A,
Temporarily Absent

The Front of the CPS Instrument

The following document is an excerpt taken from the Current Population
Survey's Field Representative Interviewing Manual (CPS-250). It explains
the various types of non-interviews. Type B non-interviews, which lead to
the Housing Vacancy Survey, are explained on pages 6-7 through 6-9.

Part C, Chapter 6
Noninterviews
Topic
6.A
6.B
6.C
6.D
6.E
6.F
6.G
6.H
6.I

Introduction
Explanation of Type A Codes
Type A Procedures
Explanation of Type B Codes
Type B Procedures
Explanation of Type C Codes
Type C Procedures
Seasonal Status
When Intended for Occupancy

See Page
C6-3
C6-4
C6-7
C6-7
C6-10
C6-10
C6-12
C6-12
C6-13

Part C Chapter 6

Page C6-2

Noninterviews

PART C, CHAPTER 6
NONINTERVIEWS

When you are certain that the case is a
noninterview and you know what type (A,
B, or C), continue forward in the program to
the INTROB item (Figure C94) and Enter 4.
This will bring up the NONTYP screen,
shown in Figure C95 on page C6-4, for you
to select the type of noninterview.

6.A INTRODUCTION
Circumstances sometimes prevent you from
obtaining an interview at an address on your
case list. We divide noninterview cases into
Type A, Type B, and Type C.

NOTE: On the INTROB screen, you
cannot code a Type A refusal by pressing 3.
Option 3 is for initial refusals, which you
plan to convert. Selecting option 3 on this
screen makes the case incomplete and
allows you to re-access the instrument. You
must take further action on the case by
completing the interview or making it a
Type A. This removes the case from your
case management system.

You must make special entries for each
case that turns out to be a noninterview.
Do not classify a case as a noninterview
until you are certain of the status of the case.
Entering the noninterview code tells your
computer to send the case file to HQ in your
next transmission. If done too soon, this
keeps you from verifying the status of the
case or trying again to get the interview.

Figure C94. INTROB Screen, Noninterview Option

CPS Interviewing Manual

Page C6-3

January 2007

Figure C95. NONTYP, Type of Noninterview

6.B EXPLANATION OF TYPE A
CODES
Keep Type A noninterviews to a minimum.
Every Type A noninterview means we are
losing valuable information and our sample
returns may not be representative of the
population. These noninterviews may arise
under the following circumstances:
• You find no one at home despite repeated
visits.
• The entire family is temporarily away all
of interview week.
• The respondent refuses to give
information.
• The unit, although occupied, cannot be
reached because of impassable roads.

Part C Chapter 6

• You cannot complete an interview
because of serious illness or death in the
family
• You are unable to locate a sample unit.
Under some circumstances, Type A
noninterviews are unavoidable. However,
establishing good relations with your
respondents and visiting when people are
likely to be home will help you avoid many
noninterviews. Also, using the telephone
instead of making return visits will reduce
callbacks and noninterviews among
households difficult to find at home.
There are six Type A noninterview
categories for units occupied by persons
eligible for interview which you could not
interview. (See Figure C96 on page C6-5)

Page C6-4

Noninterviews

Figure C96. TYPEA, Type of Type A Noninterview

6.B.1 No One Home (NOH, 216)

6.B.2 Temporarily Absent (TA, 217)

When no one is at home, and you determine
they are not temporarily absent, proceed as
follows:

When no one is home at the first visit for the
month, find out from neighbors, janitors,
etc., whether the occupants are temporarily
(TA) absent. A household is "Temporarily
Absent" when the following conditions are
met:

• Fill a Request for Appointment indicating
whether you plan to telephone (if eligible)
or call back. Include the household's
control number for identification. Enter
your name and telephone number in the
space provided.
• Call back or telephone (if eligible for
callback telephoning) to interview a
responsible member of the household. Try
to find out from neighbors, janitors, or
other knowledgeable persons when the
occupants will be home.
• If you have made repeated callbacks or
phone calls and still have been unable to
contact the respondent, call your Regional
Office or Team Leader to discuss the
situation. If they concur, complete it as a
Type A noninterview, "No one home." Do
not confuse this reason with the
noninterview reason "Temporarily
absent."

CPS Interviewing Manual

• All the occupants are away temporarily on
a vacation, business trip, caring for sick
relatives, or some other reason, and will
not return before your scheduled closeout.
• The housing unit is the occupant’s usual
place of residence.
• The unit is not a summer cottage or other
seasonal type unit.
If a household is temporarily absent,
complete it as a Type A noninterview,
"Temporarily Absent" and explain in your
case NOTES.
a. Callbacks for TA Units
If the occupants will return on a certain date,
record the date and the source of the

Page C6-5

January 2007

information (such as a neighbor) in your
case NOTES. If the date of their expected
return is before your closeout, make a return
visit or telephone the household if eligible
for callback telephoning.

Refusal Letter
Your office will send a letter to the
respondent (copy to you) requesting the
household's cooperation. It will also state
that you will call on them again that month
or the following month. If your supervisor
will be in the area on other business, he/she
may also visit the refusal household to try to
gain their cooperation.

b. Vacation Follow-ups
The vacation reminder will help you
determine the vacation status of the
household. You ask the vacation reminder
in all 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 7th month
households. This will aid you in reducing
your temporarily absent noninterviews.

Confirmed refusals

During the next month's interview week,
visit the household as early in the week as
possible. If the "temporarily absent" is in
the local telephone area, conduct a telephone
follow-up yourself. If the household is
"temporarily absent" outside the local area,
contact your Regional Office supervisor.
6.B.3 Refused (218)
Occasionally, a household may refuse to
give any information. You should make
every reasonable effort to gain cooperation
from the households assigned to you for
interview. In a few cases, the respondent
may refuse to cooperate or respond with
only "no change" answers. In these few
cases complete the case as Type A
noninterview, "Refused."
If you have already completed a portion of
the interview when the respondent refuses to
continue, you will need to skip out of the
remainder of the case [Exit/F10] and set the
noninterview. If you have completed
enough of the labor force questions for the
instrument to set one person's labor force
status the instrument will treat the case as a
partial interview and will not allow you to
set a noninterview outcome for the case.

Part C Chapter 6

Your office will advise you whether you can
consider a refusal household "confirmed."
Once a refusal becomes "confirmed," future
calls are not required. For such households,
check with neighbors or other sources in
future months to see if the people who
refused are still there. If you discover that
they have moved and a new family is now in
the unit, interview the new family as you
would any other new household. If the
"refusal" household is still living in the unit,
enter the refusal on the noninterview screen.
6.B.4 Language Barrier (213)
Occasionally, you will come across an entire
household that does not speak English. If
this occurs, contact your RO so an
interpreter can be found. If the RO cannot
arrange for an interpreter to complete the
interview, complete the case as a Type A
noninterview, "Language Barrier".
6.B.5 Unable to Locate (214)
There may be some instances when you
cannot locate a residence. If you come
across this situation, please refer to Section
1.3 (pages 1-5) of the Listing and Coverage
Manual (11-8). Once you have followed the
procedures in the manual, if you still cannot
locate the address, complete the case as a
Type A noninterview "Unable to Locate".

Page C6-6

Noninterviews

refusals, this normally means a repeat visit
after a letter has been sent to the household
by your Regional Office. For other Type
As, repeat visits are necessary.

6.B.6 Other Occupied (specify reason,
219)
When you cannot interview at a unit
occupied by persons eligible for interview,
and the reasons "No one home,"
"Temporarily Absent," “Language Barrier”,
“Unable to Locate” or "Refused" do not
apply, enter "Other-Occ." Specify the
reason, such as:

● If all your efforts are fruitless, enter 1 to
select Type A from the noninterview type
selection screen.
• On the TYPEA item screen, choose the
Type A category that applies to this case.
Based on your selection, the computer
assigns the case a status code, and prompts
you to enter explanatory notes.

● "Death in family"
• "Household quarantined"
• "Roads impassable"
During the winter months or in case of
floods or similar disaster, there may be
households that you cannot reach because of
impassable roads. In such cases, distinguish
between occupied and not occupied
households. If you obtained an interview
the previous month, assume the unit is still
occupied unless some knowledgeable person
tells you that the unit is now vacant. If the
household was vacant the previous month,
assume it is still vacant. If the unit has
never been visited before, find out if it is
occupied from: neighbors, local grocery
stores, gasoline service stations, Post Office
or rural mail carrier, the county tax
assessor's office, the office of the county
recorder or deeds, the U.S. Forest Service
(Department of Agriculture) or other local
officials. If you determine the unit is
occupied, consider it a Type A
noninterview, "Other-Occ.--Roads
impassable."
If you determine the unit is vacant, consider
it a Type B noninterview using the criteria
given in section 6.D.

6.C TYPE A PROCEDURES
For an apparent Type A case, try all possible
means to get the interview, following the
Type A conversion instructions below. For
CPS Interviewing Manual

When you exit the interview program, the
computer places the files for the case in a
directory to be sent to the HQ computer in
your next telecommunications transmission.
Your CPS Supervisor reviews all Type A
cases. Based on his/her review, these cases
will be either reassigned for further followup or sent on for processing.

6.D EXPLANATION OF TYPE B
CODES
Type Bs are units which are either
unoccupied or occupied solely by persons
not eligible for interview. (Figure C97 on
page C6-8)
6.D.1 Vacant - Regular (226)
This category includes the bulk of the vacant
living quarters. For example, a house,
apartment or flat which is for rent or sale or
is being held off the market for personal
reasons. This includes dilapidated places if
they are still considered living quarters.
(Units that are unfit for human habitation,
being demolished, or to be demolished are
defined in section 6.D.4.) Also report
unusual types of vacant living quarters, such
as mobile homes, tents and similar units as
"Vacant-regular." Do not consider vacant, a

Page C6-7

January 2007

entering 2 (no) at the S_HHMEM
screen, and entering 1 (yes) at the
URE screen.

unit whose occupants are only temporarily
absent. Include OTHER units in this
category also; such as vacant transient
quarters.

2) The alternate way is to treat the case
as a noninterview (INTROB =
noninterview) and report it as a Type
B URE (NONTYP = Type B and
TYPB = Temporarily occupied by
persons with URE). At this point,
you have 2 options from which to
choose. The first and preferred
option is to go through the roster
identifying each person's household
membership status as URE. The
second option, or last resort, should
only be used in circumstances where
you can't get the roster but you have
information that the household is
URE.

a. Units being converted
Mark this category for unoccupied units
being converted to more units based on how
you handle your listing. (Consult your 11-8
Listing and Coverage Manual.)
b. Units undergoing repairs
If a vacant unit is undergoing repairs or
alterations report it as "vacant-regular."
6.D.2 Temporarily occupied by persons
with usual residence elsewhere (URE)
(225)

In either of these situations, the instrument
will automatically set the case's Final code
to URE (225) after you determine the
household membership for each person. It is
important to classify Type B URE's
correctly in case the household is eligible for
the Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS).

There are two ways to classify a case as a
Type B URE:
1) The preferred way is to treat the case
as an interview and go through the
roster, identifying each person's
household membership as URE by
Figure C97. TYPB, Type of Type B Noninterview

Part C Chapter 6

Page C6-8

Noninterviews

construction where the exterior windows
and doors are not installed and the final
usable floors are not finished. If
construction is beyond this point, classify
the unit as "vacant-regular."

6.D.3 Vacant-Storage of Household
Furniture (227)
Mark "vacant-storage of household
furniture" if the vacant sample unit is used
only to store excess household furniture.

6.D.6 Converted to Temporary Business
or Storage (230)

Report a vacant, furnished housing unit
offered for rent as "vacant-regular."
6.D.4 Unfit or to be Demolished (228)
Mark this category for an unoccupied
sample unit that is unfit for human
habitation. An unoccupied sample unit is
unfit for human habitation if the roof,
walls, windows, or doors no longer
protect the interior from the elements.
This may be due to vandalism, fire, or other
means such as deterioration. Some
indications are: broken windows, missing or
swinging open doors; missing or destroyed
roof or walls or holes in the structure; parts
of the building have been blown or washed
away; or part of the building is collapsed or
missing.
CAUTION: If doors and windows have
been boarded up to keep them from being
destroyed, do not consider them missing.
Also, in the few rural sections of the country
where doors and windows are not ordinarily
used, do not consider them missing.

Mark "Converted to temporary business or
storage" for sample units intended for living
quarters but which are temporarily in use for
commercial or business purposes, or for the
storage of hay, machinery, business
supplies, and the like.
NOTE: Report vacant units in which
excess household furniture is stored as
"Vacant-storage of household furniture."
Report vacant units that have been
permanently converted to business or
storage as Type C--"Converted to permanent
business or storage."
If no change or alteration has taken place at
the time of interview, report vacant units
which are to be used for business or storage
purposes in the future, as "Vacant Regular."
6.D.7 Unoccupied Tent Site or Trailer
Site (231)

Also mark this category for vacant units
which are to be demolished if there is
positive evidence such as a sign, notice, or
mark on the house or in the block, that the
unit is to be demolished but on which
demolition has not yet been started.

Choose "Unoccupied tent site or trailer site"
for an unoccupied tent site or trailer (mobile
home) site in a mobile home park.

6.D.5 Under Construction, Not Ready
(229)

Choose this category for a sample unit in a
permit segment for which a construction
permit has been granted, but on which
construction has not yet started.

Mark "Under construction, not ready" for
sample units which are not ready for
occupancy. This includes units under

CPS Interviewing Manual

6.D.8 Permit Granted, Construction Not
Started (232)

Page C6-9

January 2007

applies to this case. Based on your
selection, the computer assigns the case
a status code, and prompts you to enter
explanatory notes.

6.D.9 Other Type B (233)
Choose this category ("Other") and specify
the reason for noninterview for units which
you cannot classify under any of the above
reasons. Do not use this category for URE
or Armed forces (AF) households. The
instrument will automatically set Type B
URE and AF after you go through the
household roster and determine each
household member's status.

6.E TYPE B PROCEDURES
When you have confirmed the Type B status
of the unit, go to the noninterview type
selection screen (Figure C95 on page C6-4).

Your case management will transmit the
files for type B cases in your next
telecommunications transmission.

6.F EXPLANATION OF TYPE C
CODES
Type C units are those ineligible for
sample. The TYPC screen is shown in
Figure C98.
6.F.1 Demolished (240)

• Enter precode 2 to select Type B. The
TYPB selection screen appears (Figure
C97 on page C6-8).

"Demolished" sample units existed at time
of listing, but were since torn down or
destroyed, or are in the process of being torn
down.

• On the TYPB item screen, select the
category of Type B noninterview that
Figure C98. TYPC, Type of Type C Noninterview

Part C Chapter 6

Page C6-10

Noninterviews

6.F.7 Removed During Subsampling
(256)

6.F.2 House or Trailer Moved (241)
Mark this category for a structure or trailer
moved since listing. This rule applies for
trailers or mobile homes not found in a
mobile home park.

Occasionally, more EXTRA units are
identified than CPS allows. When this
occurs, you are instructed to call your RO.
You may then be given instructions to
complete some units as a Type C
noninterview, "Removed during
Subsampling".

6.F.3 Outside Segment (242)
For Area Segments only - if the address is
outside the segment boundaries, mark this
category.

6.F.8 Unit Already Had a Chance of
Selection (257)

6.F.4 Converted to Permanent Business
or Storage (243)
This refers to units which were living
quarters but are now being used permanently
for commercial business or business
purposes, or for the permanent storage of
hay, machinery, business supplies, and the
like.
6.F.5 Merged (244)

6.F.9 Unused Line of Listing Sheet (247)

Any current sample unit(s) eliminated after
applying the rules for mergers are Type C "merged." (Consult your 11-8 Listing and
Coverage Manual for merger rules.)

This category applies to units segments,
permit segments, and TA places in group
quarters segments, where you
list/enumerate. At this time, if you list fewer
units than expected, mark this category for
any unused serial numbers which the office
had preassigned.

6.F.6 Condemned (and Unoccupied)
(245)
Mark "Condemned" for unoccupied sample
units only if there is positive evidence such
as a sign, notice, or mark on the house or in
the block that the unit is condemned. Be
sure this refers to unoccupied units. If
occupied units are posted "Condemned,"
ignore the sign and interview the occupants.
If there is no such evidence, report the units
as "Vacant - regular" unless it is unfit for
human habitation, in which case mark "Unfit
or to be demolished."

CPS Interviewing Manual

When more than one EXTRA unit is
created, you should see a screen instructing
you to call the RO. The RO will check with
the National Processing Center (NPC) to see
if any of the potential EXTRA units already
had a chance of selection. If an EXTRA
unit already had a chance of selection, you
will be instructed to complete the EXTRA(s)
as a Type C noninterview(s), "Unit already
had a chance of selection".

6.F.10 Other Type C (248)
Mark "Other" and specify the reason for
units which cannot be classified in any of
the above categories. Some examples might
be "duplicate listing," "never living
quarters," or "permit abandoned" (permit
segments ONLY). This should not be used
for "Built after April 1, 2000" (Final code
246). The instrument will bring up a
specific question to determine this based on
the type of segment the case is in.

Page C6-11

January 2007

Figure C99. SEASON, Seasonal Status of Unit

6.G TYPE C PROCEDURES
As discussed in the introduction, after you
confirm the status of the unit you go to the
noninterview type selection screen (Figure
C95 shown previously on page C6-4).
● Enter precode 3 to select Type C at the
NONTYP screen.
• On the TYPC screen, select the category
of Type C noninterview that applies to this
case. Based on your selection, the
computer assigns the case status code, and
prompts you to enter explanatory notes.
Your Case Management will transmit Type
C cases in your next telecommunications
transmission. The Type C classification and
your notes are reviewed by the RO staff. If
approved, the unit is deleted from sample.

6.H SEASONAL STATUS
You will need to choose one of the three
categories for each unit that is vacant for the
following reasons:
● Vacant-regular (226)
• Vacant-storage of household status (227)
• Temporarily occupied by persons with
URE (225)

Mark "Year round" for vacant or URE units
which are intended by the owner for
occupancy (by him/herself or others) at any
time of the year. If a unit on a resort area is
intended for occupancy on a year-round
basis (that is summer, fall, winter, and
spring) choose "Year round", even if it is
only occupied during a certain season. This
also pertains to units intended for year
round occupancy that are used only
occasionally throughout the year, such as on
weekends. The status of the unit depends
upon the owner's intention of how (s)he will
use the unit.
6.H.2 By migratory workers

Classify the unit by how it is intended for
occupancy. If you cannot determine the
intended occupancy status, mark this item
according to how the unit was last occupied.
(Figure C99, contains the SEASON screen.)
Your answer to this question will help
determine if you need to complete the HVS.
See Part D for HVS instructions.

Part C Chapter 6

6.H.1 Year round

Mark "By migratory workers" only if the
vacant/URE unit is held for occupancy by
migratory workers employed in farm work
during the crop season.
6.H.3 Seasonally
Mark "Seasonally" if the vacant or URE unit
is intended for occupancy by the owners or

Page C6-12

Noninterviews

renters only during a certain season (or
seasons) of the year, except units held for
migratory farm workers. Include units
intended for recreational use, like beach
cottages and hunting cabins, provided they
are used on a seasonal basis and not year
round. Where a unit is offered to
vacationers in the summer for summer
sports and in the winter for winter sports,
consider it as seasonal, again excluding units
offered to vacationers throughout the year.
Also include units held for herders, loggers,
and cannery workers in this category,
provided they are used on a seasonal basis
and not year round.
If an owner or knowledgeable respondent
says that the owner (or others) uses the unit
for a specific season every year and that
season is less than 6 months long, you must
probe to determine the intended use during
the rest of the year. For example, if an
owner uses his/her house in Florida from
November through February and then tries
to rent it for the rest of the year, then it is
"year round." If (s)he does not intend to rent
it, then it is "seasonal."

6.I.2 Winters only
Mark "Winters only" for units located at
snow resorts in the North or beach resorts in
the South which are intended for occupancy
only in winter, whether occupied just for
several weeks or on weekends or for the
entire winter.
6.I.3 Other
Mark "Other" if neither of the above
classifications is applicable and explain in
the space provided. For example, "Intended
for occupancy during tomato canning
months only," or "Used during hunting
season only" or occupied both "summer and
winter seasons" by vacationers and the like.
Figure C100. INTOCC, When Unit Intended for
Occupancy

6.I WHEN INTENDED FOR
OCCUPANCY
You need to determine which season these
units are intended for occupancy (Figure
C100).
6.I.1 Summers only
Include units intended for occupancy only in
the summer whether occupied just for
several weeks or on weekends or for the
entire summer.

CPS Interviewing Manual

Page C6-13

January 2007

The following document is an excerpt taken from the Current Population
Survey's Field Representative Interviewing Manual (CPS-250). It gives a
general description of the Housing Vacancy Survey, and explains who the
interviewer is to speak with to determine if the housing unit is vacant or
occupied (p. D1-3).

PART D
THE HOUSING VACANCY SURVEY

January 2007

Part D, Chapter 1
General Description – Housing Vacancy Survey
Topic
1.A
1.B

How to Identify HVS
Completing HVS Items

See Page
D1-3
D1-4

Part D Chapter 1

Page D1-2

HVS General Description

PART D, CHAPTER 1
GENERAL DESCRIPTION - HOUSING VACANCY SURVEY

The Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS) is a
regular part of the CPS. Each month, the
U.S. Census Bureau collects additional
information on certain sample units
identified as vacant housing units in the
CPS. The results are used to estimate the
trend in housing vacancies, provide
information on the characteristics of vacant
units currently on the market, and to
determine the relationship between the
supply and demand for housing. Data for
the HVS are obtained from some CPS
questions and special HVS items. The CPS
contains the information needed for all
vacant, seasonal and nonseasonal housing
units. The HVS items ask specific questions
about the housing unit in sample.

You may complete the HVS case by
telephone without making a personal visit to
the sample unit only if all three of the
following conditions exist:
Conditions Necessary for Completing
an HVS Case by Telephone:
1. The unit was determined to be a
Type B noninterview in the
preceding month.
2. The unit is a substantial distance
from your home, and you are not
planning to return to the area for
other interviews.
3. You have the name and telephone
number of a reliable respondent
(owner, rental agent, knowledgeable
neighbor, or local merchant) and a
telephone interview is acceptable
with that person. (Which you
collected at the BCNAME and
BCNUM screens the previous
month.)

1.A HOW TO IDENTIFY HVS
HVS questions come up for cases that have
a Type B outcome code:
225 -

Type B, Temporarily Occupied
with persons with Usual
Residence Elsewhere (URE)
(Selected by the instrument)

226 -

Type B, Vacant Regular
(Selected by you)

227 -

Type B, Vacant Household
Furniture Storage
(Selected by you)

If one or more of the above conditions is not
met, you must make a personal visit to the
sample unit. Interview the landlord, owner,
agent or, if none of these are available, a
knowledgeable neighbor. If you cannot find
any of these, you may complete the HVS by
observation as a last resort.

If the unit is available for yearround use AND the type of living
quarters is housing unit.

CPS Interviewing Manual

Page D1-3

April 2007 (rev)

Figure D1. BCNAME Screen

1.B COMPLETING HVS
ITEMS
Use the same care in completing the HVS
items (questions) that you do for the regular
CPS questions. They are as important to
CPS as the questions for occupied units.

Part D Chapter 1

Page D1-4

HVS General Description

The following document is an excerpt taken from the Current Population
Survey's Field Representative Interviewing Manual (CPS-250). This
excerpt gives additional instructions on what units qualify for the survey
and who to pose the questions to.

Part D, Chapter 2
Instructions for Completing HVS Items
Topic
2.A
2.B
2.C

Determining if Housing Units Qualify for HVS
Person to Interview for HVS
Items Obtained by Telephone

See Page
D2-3
D2-3
D2-3

Part D Chapter 2

Page D2-2

Instructions for Completing HVS Items

PART D, CHAPTER 2
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING HVS ITEMS

2.A DETERMINING IF
HOUSING UNITS QUALIFY
FOR HVS

2.B PERSON TO INTERVIEW
FOR HVS
Interview the landlord, owner, agent,
resident or building manager. Consider a
janitor as an agent if he/she is responsible
for answering inquiries about the unit.
Frequently, the name, address, and phone
number of persons who can provide
information is posted on the property.

When you call up a case in the CPS
instrument and determine that the housing
unit is a Type B noninterview, you select
category (4) Noninterview at the INTROB
screen or, if it is a URE household, select
category (1) Continue, and the instrument
will set the Type B - temporarily occupied
with persons with URE (you will have to go
through the roster and identify each person’s
household membership as URE
(S_HHMEM = no and URE = yes).

Interview a knowledgeable neighbor when
the landlord, owner, or agent is not
available. Enter the name of whoever
supplies most or all the information
necessary to complete the HVS, if possible,
and a telephone number where they can be
reached in the BCNAME and BCNUM
screens. Enter the neighbor's name if the
neighbor supplied all or most of the
information.

After selecting (4) Noninterview at the
INTROB screen, you must also choose the
type of noninterview at the NONTYP
screen. At the NONTYP screen, selecting
(2) TYPE B makes the case a Type B
noninterview. After you make the housing
unit a Type B in the CPS, you will enter the
category of Type B noninterview that
applies to the case at the TYPB screen.
Next, you collect the mailing address in
ABMAIL screens, whether the housing unit
has direct access in ACCESS, the type of
living quarters in LIVQRT and if the unit is
available for use year-round in SEASON.

2.C ITEMS OBTAINED BY
TELEPHONE

If the noninterview status changes before
you begin to collect HVS information, you
complete information according to the status
of the unit during interview week, that is, the
period for which the CPS is collected.

CPS Interviewing Manual

See Chapter 1 of this section, for conditions
in which you may complete the HVS by
telephone. In addition, you may make a
telephone callback when a responsible
qualified respondent is not available at the
time of your visit. You must first obtain the
telephone number of a qualified respondent
or information for contacting the owner,
manager, etc.

Page D2-3

January 2007

The following pages are an extract from the Current Populations Survey's
Field Representative Interviewer Manual (CPS-250). This excerpt gives
detailed instructions for each of the questions within the Housing Vacancy
Survey, such as how to ask the question, and how to code the
respondent's reply.

Part D, Chapter 3
HVS Items
Topic
3.A
3.B
3.C
3.D
3.E
3.F
3.G
3.H
3.I
3.J
3.K
3.L
3.M
3.N
3.O
3.P
3.Q

Introduction
Number of Acres
Year Structure Built
Number of Housing Units in Structure
Number of Rooms
Number of Bedrooms
Complete Plumbing Facilities
Complete Kitchen Facilities
Number of Bathrooms
Air Conditioning
Unit Ever Occupied
Number of Months Vacant
Status of Unit
Monthly Rent
Utilities Paid by Renter
Commercial Use of Property
Sales Price of the Property

See Page
D3-3
D3-3
D3-3
D3-3
D3-5
D3-5
D3-6
D3-6
D3-7
D3-8
D3-8
D3-9
D3-10
D3-12
D3-13
D3-13
D3-14

Part D Chapter 3

Page D3-2

The HVS Items

CHAPTER 3
THE HVS ITEMS

If the respondent does not know the year
built, get the best estimate. Notice that for
old structures you need know only if they
were built before 1939.

3.A INTRODUCTION
After you identify the unit as meeting HVS
criteria, the series of HVS items appear in
the CPS instrument..

For mobile homes and trailers, “year built”
is the model year.

3.B NUMBER OF ACRES

When answering this item, be very careful to
enter the appropriate category.

You ask HVSC (Figure D2) during the first
month of each 4-month period of interview.
If the housing unit is an apartment in an
apartment complex of 10 acres or more,
select “10 acres or more.”

Figure D3. HVSYR, Year Structure Built

Figure D2. HVSC, Number of Acres

3.D NUMBER OF HOUSING
UNITS IN STRUCTURE

3.C YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT
The year in which the structure was built,..
(see HVSYR, Figure D3) refers to the
completion of the original construction or
the date when the sample unit was first
occupied, if that came first. It does not refer
to the time of any later remodeling,
additions, or conversions.

CPS Interviewing Manual

Before you determine the number of housing
units in a structure, determine what
constitutes the structure. The definition is
the same as that used in the CPS.

Page D3-3

January 2007

• Select (1) 1 unit-detached for mobile
homes and trailers.

Structure. A structure is a separate
building that either has an open space on
all sides or is separated from other
structures by dividing walls that extend
from ground to roof. In double houses,
row houses, and houses attached to
nonresidential structures, each building is
a structure if the common wall between
them goes from ground to roof.

3.D.2 Determining the Number of
Housing Units
After you have determined the structure,
select the number of housing units it
contains in HVSNUM (Figure D4). Use the
following guidelines:

Sheds and private garages that adjoin houses
are not separate structures. See Part C,
Chapter 2 of your CPS manual for
information on the classification of living
quarters.

• The number of housing units in the
structure is the total number, occupied and
vacant, in sample or out. If the sample
unit is a vacant housing unit in a structure
which contains 2 other apartments, select
(4) 3-4 units.

3.D.1 Examples of Structures

• Count only housing units in the structure
and exclude other living quarters.

Following are some examples of structures
other than ordinary houses:
• An apartment building is one structure.

• Determine by observation (if possible) or
inquiry how many housing units the
structure contains.

• In rental developments or housing
developments of the village or garden
type, each building with open space on all
four sides is a separate structure.
• Sheds, private garages, etc., which adjoin
the house are not separate structures.

• Enter the same item selection for all
vacant housing units in the same structure.
For example, if the structure contains 9
housing units and you interview 2 sample
units, select (5) 5-9 units for each.

Figure D4. HVSNUM, Number of Units in Structure

Part D Chapter 3

Page D3-4

The HVS Items

ceiling, but not if the partition consists
solely of shelves or cabinets.

3.E NUMBER OF ROOMS
Count whole rooms such as: living rooms,
dining rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, finished
basement or attic rooms, recreation rooms,
permanently enclosed sun porches which are
suitable for year-round use, and lodger's
rooms (HVSRM, Figure D5).
Do not include: bathrooms, halls, foyers or
vestibules, balconies, closets, alcoves,
pantries, strip or pullman kitchens, laundry
or furnace rooms, unfinished attics or
basements, open porches, sun porches not
suited for year-round use, unfinished space
used for storage, mobile homes or trailers
used only as bedrooms, and offices used
only by persons not living in the unit.
A partially divided room, such as a dinette
next to a kitchen or living room is a separate
room only if there is a partition from floor to

If a room is to be used by occupants of more
than one unit, include the room with the unit
from which it is most easily reached.

3.F NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
Count rooms used mainly for sleeping, even
if they are used for other purposes (HVSB,
Figure D6). Also count rooms reserved for
sleeping, such as guest rooms, even though
they are used infrequently. Do not count as
a bedroom a room used mainly for other
purposes, even though it is also used for
sleeping, such as a living room with a hideaway bed. Also, do not count bedrooms that
have been converted to home offices. Count
only finished rooms. Select (5) None for a
1-room apartment, or if the living quarters
have no rooms used mainly for sleeping.

Figure D5. HVSRM , Number of Rooms in Unit

Figure D6. HVSBD, Number of Bedrooms in Unit

CPS Interviewing Manual

Page D3-5

January 2007

3.G.3 A Bathtub or Shower

3.G COMPLETE PLUMBING
FACILITIES.

A bathtub is connected to piped water.
Units with facilities that are intended to be
used by persons not living in the housing
unit and by occupants of that particular
housing unit should be included. Do not
include units that do not have installed
bathing facilities in the building or units
with portable or temporary bathing facilities
available to the intended occupants.

Figure D7. HVSPLB, Complete Plumbing
Facilities in Unit

If the unit does not meet all three of these
conditions, Select (2) No.

3.H COMPLETE KITCHEN
FACILITIES
In order to have complete plumbing
facilities, all facilities must be located inside
the structure, but not necessarily in the same
room.

Figure D8. HVSKIT, Complete Kitchen
Facilities in Unit

Select (1) Yes, have all three facilities,
only if the unit has all of the following:
3.G.1 Hot and Cold Piped Water
A housing unit has piped water if piped
running water is: 1) inside the structure and
2) available to the housing unit. Piped water
means that there is a supply of water is
available at a sink, wash basin, bathtub or
shower. The hot water does not have to be
supplied continuously.
3.G.2 A Flush Toilet
A flush toilet is connected to piped water.
Units with facilities that are intended to be
used by persons not living in the housing
unit and by occupants of that particular
housing unit should be included. Do not
include units that do not have an installed
flush toilet. Also do not include units with
types of toilet facilities such as: privies,
outhouses, chemical toilets, and flush toilets
outside of the structure.
Part D Chapter 3

In order to have complete kitchen facilities,
all facilities must be located inside the unit,
but not necessarily in the same room.
Select (1) Yes, have all three facilities, if
the unit has all of the facilities listed.
Select (2) No, if the following three
conditions do not apply.
3.H.1 A Sink with Piped Water
A housing unit has a sink with piped water if
the supply of water is available at the sink
and the water is running inside the structure
and is available to the housing unit.

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The HVS Items

the required facilities for a complete
bathroom (flush toilet, a bathtub or shower,
and a wash basin with piped water) or has
no bathroom facilities.

3.H.2 A Range or Cookstove
The unit must have a range or cookstove.
The range or cookstove does not have to be
mechanical; it can be a wood burning stove.
It must be in working order. Do not include
units where the range or cookstove is not in
working order and the landlord/owner does
not plan to fix or replace it prior to renting
or selling the unit.

Select (2) 1 complete bathroom, if the unit
has a room with a flush toilet, bathtub or
shower, and a wash basin with piped water.

Select (3) 1 complete bathroom, plus half
bath(s), if the unit has all the facilities for
one complete bathroom in one room and has
additional facilities such as a flush toilet or
shower, but does not have all the facilities
for a complete bathroom in one or more
rooms.

3.H.3 A Refrigerator
The unit must have a working mechanical
refrigerator. A freezer is not necessary. Do
not include units where the only refrigerator
does not work, and the landlord/owner does
not plan to fix or replace it prior to renting
or selling the unit.

Select (4) 2 or more complete bathrooms,
if the unit has 2 or more rooms, each with a
flush toilet, a bathtub or shower, and a wash
basin with piped water.

3.I NUMBER OF BATHROOMS
Select (1) No bathroom, or only a half
bathroom, if the unit lacks one or more of
Figure D9. HVSBTH, Number of Bathrooms in Unit

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January 2007

Select (4) No, if the unit is not cooled by a
refrigeration unit and does not have a central
air conditioning system.

3.J AIR CONDITIONING
Figure D10. HVSAC, Air Conditioning in Unit

3.K UNIT EVER OCCUPIED
Figure D11. HVSOCC, Unit Ever Occupied

Select (1) Yes, a central air conditioning
system, if a central installation which air
conditions a number of rooms is used. In an
apartment building, such a system may cool
all apartments in the building, each
apartment may have its own central system,
or there may be several systems, each
providing central air conditioning for a
group of apartments. This category should
also be chosen if the unit has a central
system in addition to individual room
unit(s).
Select (2) Yes, 1 individual room unit, if
the unit has only the cooling of air by a
single refrigeration room unit. Do not select
this category if the unit has evaporative
coolers, fans, or blowers which are not
connected to a refrigeration unit.
Select (3) Yes, 2 or more individual room
units, if the unit has only the cooling of air
by 2 or more refrigeration room units. Do
not select this category if the unit has
evaporative coolers, fans, or blowers which
are not connected to a refrigeration unit.

Part D Chapter 3

If the unit is now or has ever been occupied,
even if it is or was occupied by persons with
URE, select (1) Yes. If a previously
occupied unit has been converted into
several housing units, report each unit as
having been occupied. Also, select “Yes”
for a housing unit resulting from conversion
of nonresidential space because it had been
used previously. Similarly, a housing unit
resulting from a merger would have been
previously occupied.
Select (2) No, only for newly constructed
and still vacant units.
Determine by observation whether or not the
unit has ever been occupied. When in
doubt, ask.

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The HVS Items

3.L NUMBER OF MONTHS
VACANT
Select the number indicating the amount
of time that the unit has been vacant
(HVSVAC, Figure D12). Keep in mind that
a month is a four-week span of time, not
necessarily from the first of a month to the
end of a month. Count the time from the
date the last occupants moved to the date of
the previous CPS interview. For example, a
month would be from the 18th of one month
to the 18th of the next month. If the date of
the previous CPS interview was March 21
and the unit has been vacant since December
24, select item (3) 2 up to 4 months.
For newly constructed units, report how
long the unit was vacant from the date
construction was completed. Construction is
considered to be complete when all exterior
windows and doors are installed and the
final usable floors are in place.

For recently converted or merged units,
report the time from the date the conversion
or merger was completed. Conversion is
the creation of two or more housing units
from fewer units through structural
alteration or change in use. For example,
one unit may be divided into two or three
units. Merger is the combining of two or
more housing units into fewer units through
structural alteration or change in use. For
example, two units may be combined into
one.
For units “temporarily occupied with
persons with usual residence elsewhere”,
report the length of time since the last usual
residents moved. If the unit has always been
occupied by UREs and has never been
occupied by a usual resident, enter the
length of time since the unit was originally
ready for occupancy.

Figure D12. HVSVAC, Number of Months Unit Has Been Vacant

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January 2007

3.M STATUS OF UNIT
Report the status of the unit as of the date
CPS was completed (see Figure D13,
HVSSTA, on page D3-11). If a unit was
for rent on the 16th when you completed the
CPS interview, but was already rented when
you returned for vacancy information on the
18th, select (1) For rent since that was the
status on the 16th.
You might encounter a situation in which
the unit is being time-shared. Time-sharing
is a form of ownership in which a single
property is owned by multiple owners. Each
is entitled to occupy the unit for a limited
period. If the unit is time-shared, select the
appropriate item for the particular situation
at the time of the interview.
Select (1) For rent for those units offered
for rent only, and for units offered for rent or
for sale at the same time. Do not depend
entirely on signs; a “For sale” sign does not
always mean that the unit is not for rent also.
If it is for rent also, report “For rent” rather
than “For sale.” For time-shared units,
select “For rent” if the unit is being offered
for rent at the time of interview. Instead of
the owner occupying the unit during his/her
allotted time, he/she might have decided to
offer the unit for rent during that period.
Also, local management may be attempting
to rent a unit during a time period yet to be
sold.
Select (2) Rented, not occupied only if any
money has been paid or agreed upon, but the
renter has not yet moved in. For timeshared units, select “Rented, not occupied”
if money has been paid or agreed upon, but
the renter has not yet moved in.
(3) Regular ownership and
(4) Condominium or cooperative
ownership are enclosed under “FOR SALE
ONLY.” In order for a unit to be included
Part D Chapter 3

in one of the FOR SALE ONLY options the
unit must be only for sale. For time-shared
units, the management could be selling the
unit for a specific time interval which
includes the date of interview, or one of the
owners could be selling his/her allotted time.
Regular Ownership - Ownership of a unit
that is not part of a condominium or
cooperative. For time-shared units, if the
unit is not part of a condominium or
cooperative, it should be included in this
category.
Cooperative or condominium ownership A cooperative is a type of ownership
whereby a group of housing units is owned
by a corporation of member-owners. Each
individual member is entitled to occupy an
individual housing unit and is a shareholder
in the corporation which owns the property.
With regard to time-shared units, several
individuals would be assigned to occupy the
same unit, but only at different time periods
throughout the year.
A condominium is a type of ownership that
enables a person to own an apartment or
house in a project of similarly owned units.
The owner has the deed and very likely the
mortgage on the unit occupied. The owner
may also hold common or joint ownership in
some or all common areas such as grounds,
hallways, entrances, elevators, etc. With
regard to time-shared condominiums,
several individuals own a unit that is part of
the condominium complex and each
individual has the right to occupy the unit
during his/her allotted time.
Cooperative or condominium ownership
may apply to various types of structures
including single-family houses, rowhouses,
townhouses, etc., as well as apartment
buildings.

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The HVS Items

Select (5) Sold, not yet occupied for a unit
which has been sold but the new owner has
not moved in. However, if the new owner is
offering it for rent, report the status as (1)
“For rent.” For time-shared units, select
“Sold, not yet occupied” for a unit which
has been sold for occupancy at the time of
interview but the new owner has never
stayed there.
Select (6) For occasional use if the vacant
unit is not for rent or for sale but is held only
for weekends or occasional use throughout
the year. For time-shared units, select “For
occasional use” if the vacant unit is not for
rent or for sale but is held for the use of a
specific individual during the time of
interview and he has stayed there in the past.
Select (7) Occupied by persons with usual
home elsewhere for a unit temporarily
occupied by persons with a usual place of
residence elsewhere. For most occupied
time-shared units, the occupants will
normally have a place of residence
elsewhere. Therefore, the unit should be
included in this category.
If the vacant unit (time-shared units
included) does not fall into one of the above
classifications, select (8) Other at the
HVSSTA screen (Figure D13) and specify
the other status at the HVSSTS screen.

Examples of units held off the rental or sale
market include units which are:
• Held for settlement of an estate.
• Held off the market for personal
reasons of the owner, such as: 1) the
owner has not decided whether or not the
unit will be torn down, 2) the owner is
remodeling or repairing the unit and will
not make it available until the work is
completed.
• Held for the occupancy of a caretaker or
janitor.
• Being used temporarily for storage of
excess house furniture.
• In a multi-unit structure being held for
sale of the entire structure, except as
described in “For sale only” above.
• Model apartment or model home if it will
become available during the survey
period.
• Vacant units whose renters moved during
the month although the rent is paid to the
end of the month.

Figure D13. HVSSTA, Status of Unit

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January 2007

3.N MONTHLY RENT
Figure D14. HVSRNT, Monthly Rent for Unit

The HVSRNT screen (Figure D14) comes
up if “For Rent” or “Rented, not occupied”
is selected at the HVSSTA screen.
Select the rent asked, regardless of what
utilities or services it includes. If the rent
requested is based on the occupant's income
(ability to pay), select the monthly amount
paid by the last occupants.
Table D1. HVS Converting Rent Amount to a
Monthly Rate
Multiply
dollar
amount by:
Daily
30
Weekly
4
Biweekly
2
Quarterly
-Semiannually
-Annually
-If period
is:

Divide
dollar
amount by:
---3
6
12

Create a scratch sheet and convert reported
rent to monthly rates as indicated in Table
D1.
For example, if the rent is to be paid by the
week and the weekly rate is $30, you would

Part D Chapter 3

multiply $30 by 4 and select (3) $100 to
$124 at the HVSRNT screen for that sample
unit. Do not attempt to subtract costs for
furniture, utilities and services provided by
the landlord as part of each regular rent
payment.
If the rent to be paid includes rent for a
business unit or for other living quarters,
report only that part of the total rent which is
for the sample unit.
Report only the rent paid or scheduled to be
paid to the landlord or rental agent. DO
NOT deduct for any part of the rent that
may be paid by a church, government
agency or similar organization. For
example, if the unit will rent for $100 a
month but the renter will have to pay only
$75 because a church will pay the other $25,
you would still select the “$100 to $124”
category.
If the unit “for rent” is a mobile home or
trailer, include the amount paid for the site,
if the site rent is to be paid separately.

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HVS Item Instructions

occupant. Select “Yes” in the “oil, coal,
wood, kerosene, etc?” category if the renter
will use (and pay separately for) fuel other
than those listed in the question. The “coal,
oil, wood, and kerosene” are merely
examples of heating and cooking fuels,
other than gas and electricity.

3.O UTILITIES PAID BY
RENTER
Figure D15. HVSUT1, Utilities Paid by Renter

If the utility is free, consider it as being
included in the rent and select “No.”

3.P COMMERCIAL USE OF
PROPERTY
Figure D16. HVSCOM, Commercial Use of
Property
Note: Screens HVSUT2, HVSUT3 and HVSUT4
ask if the renter pays for gas; water; or oil, coal,
wood, kerosene, etc.

This item is also asked of units that are “For
rent” or “Rented, not occupied”.
For this item, you want to know what
utilities or fuels are to be paid for by the
renter in addition to the “monthly rent
asked” and not what could be included for
more rent, or what could be omitted for less
rent.
Select (1) Yes or (2) No for each of the four
parts: electricity; gas; water; and oil, coal,
wood, or kerosene. If there is any question
about the meaning of the categories, follow
these instructions.
Select “Yes” if the renter will pay separately
for all or part of the utility or fuel.
Select “No” if the cost of the utility or fuel is
included in the rent or if the renter will not
use the utility or fuel.
If the utility or fuel is available, but you
cannot determine whether the next
occupants will use it (for example, it may
depend on whether they have a gas or
electric stove), report on the basis of the last

CPS Interviewing Manual

This screen comes up if “For sale only” or
“Sold, not yet occupied” is selected at the
HVSSTA screen. Use the following
guidelines selecting categories at
HVSCOM:
Select (1) Yes if any part of the property is
used as a commercial establishment or a
medical or dental office.
Examples of commercial establishments are
a regular store, shop, restaurant, or filling
station. A medical office would include
medical doctor's and/or dentist's office
which may be in the same structure or in a
separate structure on the same property.
If there is no commercial establishment, or
medical or dental office (either occupied or
vacant) on the property, select (2) No.

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January 2007

3.Q SALES PRICE OF THE
PROPERTY
Item HVSPRC (Figure D17) is only for
property not used as a commercial
establishment, or a medical or dental office;
that is, (2) No is selected at the HVSCOM
screen.
Report the total sales price (not just the
down payment) asked by the owner for “this
property.” For units recently sold but not
yet occupied, report the selling price.

The sales price asked for “this property”
includes the price of the housing unit.
Usually, “this property” consists of the one
structure and the land on which it is located.
However, it may include additional
structures such as garages, sheds, barns, etc.
For rural units, the property may also
include substantial acreage. In some multiunit structures where individual housing
units in the structure are owned separately,
“this property” refers to the individual unit
that is for sale.

Figure D17. HVSPRC, Sales Price of Property

Part D Chapter 3

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HVS Item Instructions

END OF PART D
This is the end of the survey subject matter portion of your CPS Manual.
The next section contains WEBCATI computer procedures.

CPS Interviewing Manual

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January 2007