2008 NYCHVS Glossary

The following definitions were prepared by the US Census Bureau to describe characteristics of individuals, households, housing units, and neighborhoods that are available from the 2008 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey.                                                              

Additional Heating Required.  Additional heating refers to households that reported using additional sources of heat to supplement their regular system, because the regular system, though functioning, did not provide enough heat during the winter prior to the time of interview.  Additional sources of heat, such as kitchen stoves, fireplaces, or portable heaters, may have been used only in the mornings or on extra cold days.  Electric blankets, heating pads, or hot water bottles are not considered additional sources of heat.

Age.  Age classification is based on the age reported as of that person's last birthday.  Children under 1 year of age are classified as 1 year old.

Asking Rent.  See Monthly Asking Rent.                                     

Average Hours Worked in 2007.  This item refers to the number of hours per week in 2007 typically spent at work.  Hours spent at work include any kind of leave for which the subject is paid as usual.

Bedrooms.  The number of bedrooms in the housing unit is the count of rooms used mainly for sleeping, even if also used for other purposes.  Rooms reserved for sleeping, such as guest rooms, even though used infrequently, are counted as bedrooms.  On the other hand, rooms used mainly for other purposes, even though used also for sleeping, such as a living room with a sleep sofa, are not considered bedrooms.  A housing unit consisting of only one room, such as a one-room efficiency apartment, is classified by definition as having no bedroom.

Broken Plaster or Peeling Paint.  The data refer to whether or not the household reported broken plaster or peeling paint on the interior ceilings or walls of the unit.  If the condition existed, additional data show whether the area(s) are larger than 8½ inches by 11 inches.

Buildings with Broken or Boarded-Up Windows.  This is an observation item marked by the field representative.  This item concerns buildings with broken or boarded up windows on the same street (both sides within the same block) as the sample unit. 

Condition.  The following items on building condition were determined by observation by the field representative as he/she  approached the building containing the sample unit and walked inside.  More than one problem may have been observed for each condition item.  The category "Unable to Observe" includes situations in which interviewing may have taken place at night, and the field representative could not see well enough to observe a particular condition.

            1.         External Walls                                                                       

                        •           Missing bricks, siding, or other outside wall material includes units in buildings with defects that can only be corrected by extensive repairs to siding, shingles, boards, brick, concrete, or stucco.  Data exclude units in buildings with materials missing temporarily due to repair/construction.

                        •           Sloping or bulging outside walls include units in buildings with indications of continuous neglect or serious damage to the structure.  Data exclude units in buildings with slanting downspouts, sagging shutters, or uneven terrain.

                        •           Major cracks in outside walls include units in buildings with major open holes or cracks that could allow wind or water to enter the building.

                        •           Loose or hanging cornice, roofing, or other material includes buildings with loose trim or roofing material defects.  A cornice is a horizontal molding along the top of a wall or building.

            2.         Windows

                        •           Broken or missing windows include units in buildings with missing or broken window panes.

                        •           Rotted/loose window frames/sashes include units in buildings with loose/missing putty, rotted wood, and gaps or cracks where water could penetrate.

                        •           Boarded-up windows include units in buildings with windows covered with wood, metal, etc. to protect against weather or entry.

            3.         Stairways (interior and exterior)

                        •           Loose, broken, or missing stair railings include units in buildings with any railings that are not secured tightly enough to use with complete confidence.

                        •           Loose, broken, or missing steps include units in buildings with any loose, broken, or missing steps.

                        •           No interior steps or stairways include units in buildings without interior stairways, but which may have exterior steps/stairways.

                        •           No exterior steps or stairways include units in buildings without exterior steps/stairways, but which may have interior steps/stairways.

            4.         Floors

                        •           Sagging or sloping floors include units in buildings with sagging/sloping floors due to excessive wear, age, or possible structural damage.

                        •           Slanted or shifted doorsills or door frames include units in buildings with slanted or shifting doorsills or frames that may be separating from the door.

                        •           Deep wear in floor causing depressions includes units in buildings with defects that are due to advanced age or excessive use causing depressions in the floor.

                        •           Holes or missing flooring includes units in buildings with defects that may be due to rotten or broken wood, faulty masonry, or rodent damage.

            5.         Overall Condition of Building

                        •           Building condition is classified as sound, deteriorating, or dilapidated.  In the tabulations, deteriorating and sound are combined into the category "not dilapidated," based on the presence of observed defects.  Sound buildings have no defects or slight defects only, such as cracked window panes or missing paint.  Deteriorating buildings show a lack of proper upkeep that cannot be corrected by normal maintenance.  One or more intermediate defects, such as rotted or loose window frames or broken or missing interior stair risers, would cause a building to be classified as "deteriorating."  Dilapidated buildings do not provide safe and adequate shelter to the occupants.  A structure was rated dilapidated if it showed one or more critical defects or a combination of intermediate defects or inadequate original construction.

Condominium.  A condominium is a building or development with individually owned apartments or houses.  The owner has his/her own deed, and very likely, his/her own mortgage on the unit.  The owner also holds a common or joint ownership in all common areas and facilities that serve the project -- land, roofs, hallways, entrance elevators, etc.  The condominium status question is separate from the tenure question; therefore, condominium units can be classified as both owner-occupied (or vacant-for-sale) or renter-occupied (or vacant-for-rent).

Condominium/Cooperative Conversion.  The data are based on whether the householder lived in the unit and paid cash rent at the same time the building became a cooperative or condominium.  If the householder reported yes to living in the unit and paying cash rent at the time of the conversion, data are available on whether or not the conversion was done through a non-eviction plan.

Non-eviction Plan Conversion.  Rental apartments can be converted to condominiums or cooperatives through either an "eviction" plan or a "non-eviction" plan.  A "non-eviction" plan allows persons who occupied an apartment at the time it became a condominium or cooperative to continue to occupy and rent the apartment without purchasing it.  Tenants may not be evicted if they do not buy their unit.  Data for this item are limited to renter occupied condominiums and cooperatives.

Contract Rent. See Monthly Contract Rent.

Control Status (Rent Regulation Status).  Control status definitions were prepared by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Division of Housing Policy Analysis and Statistical Research.  See Definitions of Rent Regulation Status.

Cooperative.  A cooperative is a building or development that is owned by its shareholders and is organized as a corporation.  It may also be called a stock cooperative or co-op.  Ownership of shares in the corporation entitles each shareholder to hold the lease for one or more apartments (houses).  If the person or persons owning the cooperative shares also occupies the unit, the cooperative unit is considered owner-occupied.  The cooperative status question is separate from the tenure question; therefore, cooperative units can also be classified as renter-occupied (or vacant-for-rent) or owner-occupied (or vacant-for-sale).

Cracks/Holes in Interior Walls or Ceilings.  This item is based on the respondent's report of cracks or holes in interior walls, or ceilings of the unit.  Cracks may have been due to any of the following reasons:  damage by rats or mice, rotten wood, faulty masonry, or normal building settling.  Included are cracks or holes that do not go all the way through to the next room, housing unit, or to the outdoors.  Hairline cracks (cracks appearing in the walls or ceiling that aren't large enough to insert a finger nail file) and small holes caused by nails or thumbtacks are not included.

Down payment.  Money paid in advance or at the time of settlement or closing as partial or full payment of the purchase price is the down payment.  Down payment can also be thought of as the buyer's interest or initial equity in the apartment (house).  In the case of Mitchell-Lama cooperatives, the purchase price and the down payment may be identical.  The down payment data are limited to units acquired in 2003 or later, and  do not include closing costs.

Duration of Vacancy.  The time periods shown represent the time the last occupants vacated the unit to the day of the first attempt at interviewing.  For newly constructed units, the time refers to the date that the unit is ready for occupancy to the day of the first interviewing attempt.  A unit is considered vacant until occupied, regardless of the date on a lease, rental payment, or property settlement.

Education Level.  Educational level applies only to progress completed in "regular" school.  Such schools include graded public, private, and parochial elementary and high schools (both junior and senior high), colleges, universities, and professional schools, whether day schools or night schools.  Thus, regular schooling is that which may advance a person toward an elementary school certificate, high school diploma, or a college, university, or professional school degree.

Schooling in other than regular schools is counted only if the credits obtained are regarded as transferable to a school in the regular school system.  For education received in an ungraded or foreign school, the equivalent grade level in the American school system is estimated.  Data are limited to persons 15 years or older.

Education (current).  Educational programs the person is currently enrolled in.

Employers.  Number of different employers the person worked for in the previous year.

Employment.  See Labor Force Status.

Exterminator Service.  Exterminator service is a service provided by a company or individual using chemicals or sprays to control rodents or pests.  Data were collected on the frequency of the service described below:

            (1)         Regularly - Service is provided on any regular interval such as weekly or monthly.

            (2)         Only when needed - Service is provided on an "as needed basis."

            (3)         Irregularly - Service is seldom provided for rodent infestation, or the respondent knows there is service but not how often.

            (4)         Not at all - Service is never provided.

            (5)         Don't know - Respondent does not know if service is provided.

Fire and Liability Insurance.  Data are available for the following:

            (1)       Whether the property is covered by fire and liability insurance, and if the premium is paid separately.

            (2)       The annual cost of the insurance for 2007 if it was paid separately from the mortgage or cooperative/condominium maintenance fee.

            (3)        Whether the fire and liability insurance covers personal possessions.

Floor of Unit.  This item shows on which story in a building the sample unit is located.  For units that occupy multiple stories, the lowest floor occupied was used.  For homes that include a basement and a main floor, the main or first floor was used.

Gross Rent. See Monthly Gross Rent.

Health Condition.  Respondent’s rating of his/her general health condition as excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor.

Heating Equipment Breakdown.  Breakdowns or failures in heating systems refer to households that reported a heating equipment breakdown that lasted six consecutive hours or longer during the winter prior to the time of the survey.  Heating equipment is considered unusable if it cannot be used for the purposes intended; the breakdown may be caused by broken pipes, electrical or gas parts out of order, or downed power lines.

Holes in Floors.  This item is based on respondent's report of holes in floors.  It  refers to holes inside the unit that may have been due to any of the following reasons:  damage by rats or mice, rotten wood, faulty masonry, or normal building settling.  The holes need not go through the floor to be included.  Excluded are very small holes caused by nails or similar objects.

Hours Worked Last Week.  This item refers to the actual number of hours worked (including overtime), not the usual or required hours.  Excluded from the number of hours worked are lunch breaks and sick or vacation leave.  If two jobs were worked, the total number of hours worked at both jobs is included.

Household Composition.  Three main categories are presented.  Each category consists of these components:  with no other household members, with no children under 18, and with other adults and children under 18.

Married Couple.  Each household in this category consists of the householder and spouse, and may include other persons, all of whom may or may not be related to the householder.

Female Householder.  This category includes households with female householders with no spouse present.  These householders may be widowed, divorced, separated, or never married.  Other related or unrelated people may also live in the household.

Male Householder.  This category includes households with male householders with no spouse present.  These householders may be widowed, divorced, separated, or never married.  Other related or unrelated people may also live in the household.

Household Members Under Age 6 and Under Age 18.  These items include all members of the household (other than the householder and his/her spouse) regardless of their relationship to the householder, who fall into these age groups.

Householder (Reference Person).  The householder (reference person) is the household member or one of the household members who owns or rents the sample unit.  If no household member owns or rents the sample unit, the first person listed is designated as the householder (reference person).  The term reference person is used in the questionnaire but is replaced by the term householder in the final data presentations.

Households Below Specific Income Level.  The specified income level statistics presented are derived from an updated poverty level index used in the Census Bureau’s March Current Population Survey supplement.  This index is based on a definition originated by the Social Security Administration in 1964 and subsequently modified by a Federal Interagency Committee in 1969.  This index, as applied to the NYCHVS, provides a range of income cutoffs or "poverty thresholds" adjusted to take into account such factors as size of family unit, age of householder, and number of children.  See 2007, 2004, 2001 Poverty Thresholds.

Housing Unit.  A housing unit is a house, an apartment, a group of rooms, or a single room occupied or intended for occupancy as separate living quarters.  Separate living quarters are those in which the occupants live separately from others in the building and have direct access from the outside of the building or through a common hall.  For vacant units, the same criteria are applied for the intended occupants. 

Immigration Status. Indicates whether a householder not born in the USA came here as an immigrant, and if so - when; or if the householder was born in the USA outside New York City, when he/she moved to New York City.

Income of Households.  Household income is the income of all members of the household 15 years or older regardless of whether they are related to the householder or not.  The data represent income for the calendar year 2007 and are the sum of the amounts for each of the following sources:

            (1)       Wage and salary income includes total income from wages, salary, tips, bonuses, commissions and leave before all deductions.

            (2)       Net income from own farm or nonfarm business, proprietorship, or partnership includes the total money receipts for goods sold or services rendered minus business expenses.  Business expenses include rent, utilities, employee pay, business taxes, cost of goods, and depreciation on buildings/equipment, etc.  Salary is not an expense; it is part of income from the business.

            (3)       Interest or dividends, net rental or royalty income, or income from estates and trusts includes the following items:

                        •           Interest - money received or credited to a savings account, bonds, or savings certificates.  Interest accruing to retirement accounts that cannot be withdrawn in the near future is excluded.

                        •           Dividends - payments made by corporations and mutual funds to shareholders.

                        •           Net rental income - includes income from tenants/roomers/boarders and rent received less expenses of paying for and maintaining the property.

                        •           Net royalty income - gross income from mineral, gas, or oil rights, patents, trademarks, literary works, formulas, etc. less deductions.  Deductions against gross royalties are made for depletion, depreciation, office expenses, interest, taxes, and similar items.

                        •           Estates and trusts - periodic payment received from these entities.

            (4)       Social Security or railroad retirement income includes Social Security and railroad retirement payments.  Some persons receiving these payments have Medicare deducted.  However, for this survey, the Medicare deduction is counted as income and included in this item.  If recipients are under age 15, the allotment is reported for the person to whom the check is sent (if the person is age 15 or over).

            (5)       Income from government programs includes the following:

                        •           Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - payments received from a program run by the Social Security Administration for low income, elderly, or disabled persons.  Payment may come from the federal government, state, or local welfare office.  It is not Social Security income.

                        •           Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, formerly AFDC) - payments received through a welfare program administered by the state or local government to families with dependent children.

                        •           Safety Net - payments received through a program that is a form of public assistance for low income households with no dependent children.  (Formerly known as Home Relief)

                        •           Shelter Allowance - payments that help to defray all or part of the cost for shelter.  These may be paid directly to the recipient or to the landlord.  Amount is reported for the person to whom issued.

            (6)       Income from retirement, survivor, or disability pensions (but not Social Security) includes the following:

                        •           Private pensions - payments received from a former employer, labor union, etc.  A survivor is also eligible as a beneficiary.

                        •           Government employee pensions - monthly payments to former employees and survivors paid by federal, state, or local agencies, or the Armed Forces.

                        •           Disability pensions - payments resulting from some severe or permanent injury, illness, or disability.  The payment can be from a government agency or private organization.

                        •           Annuities - periodic payments as a return on an investment such as life insurance.

                        •           IRA and Keogh Plans - payments from retirement accounts received by persons aged 59½ years old or older, or by disabled persons.

            (7)       Income from veteran's payments, unemployment compensation, child support, alimony, or regular contribution from other sources includes the following:

                        •           Veteran's payments - periodic payments to disabled veterans, survivors of deceased veterans, living expense stipends paid during education/training, and annual refunds paid on GI life insurance policies.

                        •           Unemployment compensation - payments from state unemployment insurance funds, railroad unemployment benefits, labor union strike funds, and supplemental payments from companies to help replace wages during work layoffs.  It also includes supplemental payments to persons who had exhausted their state payments.

                                    Also included are payments for training, transportation, and/or subsistence by persons undergoing classroom training provided through the Job Training Partnership Act through state or local governments.

                        •           Child support - payment for support of children not living with one parent as a result of divorce or legal separation.  Payment may also be made through a court system.

                        •           Alimony - payment received after a divorce or legal separation.

                        •           Other sources - financial assistance from private charitable organizations such as the Red Cross or a church, any contributions from persons not living in the household, scholarships or fellowships received by students for which no work or service is required, and anything else not mentioned.

Income of Persons.  The data reflect total income from all sources for all persons 15 years old or older during calendar year 2007.  See Income of Households for a description of the various income sources.

Income of Primary Individuals.  The data represent total income from all sources during calendar year 2007 for householders who live alone.  See Income of Households for a description of each income source.

Industry Code. See Type of Industry and Occupation Code.

Interest Rate.  Current interest rate on the most recent mortgage on owner-occupied unit.

Insurance.  Fire and liability insurance on an owner-occupied unit, and how it’s paid.

Kitchen Facilities.  A housing unit has complete kitchen facilities if it has a sink with piped water, a range or cookstove, and a refrigerator.  All facilities must be located in the unit although they do not need to be in the same room.  Kitchen facilities are for exclusive use if they are only used by the occupants of the unit.  In the case of vacant units, the same criteria was used in determining complete kitchen facilities and their exclusive use, but the criteria was applied to the intended occupants.  Kitchen facilities are considered to be functioning if they work at all, even if imperfectly.

Labor Force Status.  All persons 15 years and older are classified into one of two major labor force groups.  The groups are described below:

(1)       In the Labor Force.  Persons are classified as in the labor force if they are employed, unemployed, or in the Armed Forces the week prior to interview.

            (a)       Employed/Armed Forces.  Employed persons comprise (1) all individuals who, during the week prior to interview, did any work at all as paid employees or in their own business or profession, or who worked as unpaid workers for 15 hours or more a week in a business operated by a member of the family and (2) all those who had jobs but were not working because of illness, bad weather, vacation, or labor-management dispute, or because they were taking time off for personal reasons, whether or not they were seeking other jobs.  Each employed person was counted only once.  Those persons who held more than one job were counted in the job at which they worked the greatest number of hours during the week prior to interview.  If they worked an equal number of hours at more than one job, they were counted at the job they held the longest.

            (b)       Unemployed.  Unemployed persons are those individuals who, during the week prior to interview, had no employment but were available for work, and (1) had engaged in any specific job seeking activity within the past 4 weeks such as registering at a public or private employment office, meeting with prospective employers, checking with friends or relatives, placing or answering advertisements, writing letters of application, or being on a union or professional register; (2) were waiting to be called back to a job from which they had been laid off; or (3) were waiting to report to a new wage or salary job within 30 days.

(2)       Not in Labor Force.  The category "not in the labor force" includes the following:

            •           Persons who reported doing unpaid work in a family business for less than 15 hours a week.

            •           Persons who reported being temporarily absent (for any reason other than a layoff) from working in a family business without pay.

            •           Persons who reported not working the week prior to interview, and one of the following situations existed:

                        a.        The person responded "no" to being temporarily absent from a job.

                        b.        The person responded "no" to looking for work for the last four weeks, or the person did not report whether he/she was looking for work.

Length of Lease.  A lease is defined as a contract granting use or occupation during a specified period in exchange for rent.  The length of lease is from the time the lease originated, not from the time of the interview.  The data are limited to households paying cash rent.

Looking for Work During the Last Four Weeks.  The data represent whether or not individuals who did not work last week or were not on temporary absence or layoff tried to get a job or start a business during the last four weeks prior to interview.  Examples of seeking work include:  placing or answering advertisements for help, writing letters/resumes, consulting an employment agency, exploring the possibilities of starting a business or practice, and checking with a union or other workers organization.

Maintenance Deficiencies.  See Number of 1987 and 2008 Maintenance Deficiencies.

Monthly Asking Rent.  The asking rent for vacant for-rent housing units is the rent asked for the unit at the time of interview which may differ from the rent paid at the time the unit was occupied.  The asking rent may or may not include utilities.

Monthly Condominium or Cooperative Maintenance Fees.  This question applies only to owner occupied condominiums or cooperatives.  Some or all of the following may be included in condominium or cooperative maintenance fees:  real estate taxes; fire insurance; other hazard insurance; payments on the underlying building mortgage; salaries of maintenance employees; heating expenses; utilities; and reserves for major repairs, maintenance, etc.

Monthly Contract Rent.  Monthly contract rent is the rent agreed to or contracted for, even if furnishings, utilities, or services are included.  Rental units occupied without payment of cash rent are classified as either "no cash rent," or “occupied rent free.”

Monthly Gross Rent.  Monthly gross rent is the monthly contract rent plus the monthly cost of utilities, (electricity, gas, and water and sewer) and other fuels (oil, coal, kerosene, wood, etc.) if these items are paid by the renter in addition to rent.  Use of this measure eliminates differentials that result from varying practices with respect to the inclusion of utilities and fuels as part of the rent payment.

Monthly Mortgage or Loan Payment.  This is the amount paid to the lender or lenders for the mortgage(s) or loan(s) outstanding on the apartment (house).  It includes payments for principal and interest, real estate taxes, fire and liability insurance, and mortgage insurance, if they are part of the mortgage payment.

Monthly Out-of-Pocket Rent.  The total amount of rent NOT paid by a government housing subsidy program.  For public assistance recipients, this includes funds from the basic grant (non-shelter allowance).  “Out-of-pocket” also includes payments or help with rent from outside, non-government program sources such as per diem reimbursement, or help from parents, friends, or a church.

Mortgage Interest Rate.  The rate of interest on the most recent home loan - asked only at owner-occupied units with a mortgage.  This was a new question for 2005.

Mortgage Status.  This item refers to whether there is a mortgage or similar loan outstanding on the apartment (house), or whether it is owned free and clear.  A mortgage or similar debt refers to all forms of debt where the property is pledged as  security for payment of debt, including home equity loans.  A home equity loan is a mortgage in which a line of credit is established allowing the owner to borrow against equity in the unit.  It may be placed on a property that already has a first or second mortgage, or it may be placed on a property that is owned free and clear.  Owners of cooperatives technically do not have mortgages, but the loans they have taken to finance the purchase of shares in the cooperative are considered "similar loans" for the purpose of this survey.

Most Recent Place Lived 6 Months or More.  Data are presented for the place that the householder lived continuously for at least six months before moving to his/her current residence.

Neighborhood Rating.  The data presented are based on the respondent's overall opinion of the physical condition of the residential structures in his/her neighborhood.

Nonrelative.  A nonrelative of the householder is any person in the household that is not related to the householder (reference person) by blood, marriage, or adoption.  Roomers, boarders, lodgers, partners, resident employees, wards, and foster children are included in this category.

Number of 1987 and 2008 Maintenance Deficiencies.  The data for these items consist of a count of all households answering affirmatively to the specific maintenance deficiency items collected in 1987 and 2008.  To be counted in one of the five 1987 deficiency categories, all of the following items had to be reported:  heating equipment breakdown (one or more times), additional heating required, rodent infestation, cracks/holes in the walls, ceilings or floors, and broken plaster/peeling paint larger than 8½ x 11 inches.  Beginning in 1991, the list was expanded to include toilet breakdowns and water leaks from outside the unit.  Data are presented separately for the 5 deficiency items on the 1987 survey and the 7 deficiency items on the 2008 survey.

Number of Persons.  All persons occupying the housing unit are counted.  These persons include not only occupants related to the householder but also any lodgers, roomers, boarders, partners, wards, foster children, resident employees, and any others who share the housing unit of the householder.

Number of Stories in Building.  This item refers to the number of floors in the building.  Basement apartments are counted as a floor only if occupied.

Number of Units in Building.  In determining the number of housing units in a building, all units (both occupied and vacant) are counted.  A building is classified as a separate building if it has either open space on all sides or is separated from other structures by dividing walls that extend from ground to roof.  Data from this item represent the number of housing units located in buildings of a specified size, not the number of residential buildings.

Number of Weeks Worked in 2007.  This refers to the number of weeks worked during the last year in which the subject spent one or more hours at work.  This number should include weeks spent on paid leave; such as paid sick leave, paid vacation, or military service.  Weeks spent on unpaid leave or layoff are not included.

Occupancy Status Before Acquisition.  The data are limited to owner occupied units and refer to the status prior to the householder's acquisition of the apartment (house).  The categories are as follows:

            •           Owned and Occupied by Another Household - The unit was purchased from the previous owner.

            •           Rented by Reference Person - The unit was rented by the reference person before the purchase occurred.

            •           Rented by Another Household - The unit was occupied and rented by another household before it was purchased.

            •           Never Previously Occupied - The unit was newly constructed or gut rehabilitated and the current occupants are the first occupants.

            •           Don't Know - The respondent does not know the previous situation of the unit.

Occupation Codes. See Type of Industry and Occupation Code.

Owner in Building.  The owner need not live in the sample unit to be considered as living in the building.

Ownership Status.  The categories for homeowner units (occupied and vacant) are:

Homeowner (Conventional).  Privately owned houses or buildings which are NOT part of a cooperative or condominium building or development.  This category includes owner-occupied single-family houses, living quarters in partially-commercial buildings (such as a doctor’s office and living quarters together in one building), and all other types of owner-occupied units which are not in cooperatives and condominiums.

Mitchell-Lama Coop.  The units were constructed under the New York State or New York City Mitchell-Lama cooperative program.  The purpose of the program is to enable moderate and middle-income families to secure decent affordable housing through limited equity cooperative ownership.

The mechanisms employed to keep both the initial down payment and monthly carrying charges within the means of middle-income families, to which the program is restricted, are:  tax exemption, state or city provided low interest mortgages, and limited developer profit.  In certain instances, federal subsidies are combined with the state and local measures to achieve the program's objectives.

Private Coop/Condo.  Privately owned cooperative or condominium units which were not constructed under the New York State or New York City Mitchell-Lama program.  A portion of the units in this category may have benefitted from some other type of government assistance (e.g. J-51, 421A).

Passenger Elevator in Building.  This item refers to the presence of an elevator in the building in working or non-working order.  Excluded are elevators used only for freight.  In the tabulations, data are shown by the number of housing units in structures with two or more stories which have one or more passenger elevators on the same floor as the sample unit.

Persons from Homeless Situation.  This item refers to whether a person has come from a homeless situation before moving into his/her current residence.  This may be a shelter, a transitional center, or a “homeless” hotel.  A person is not considered to be homeless if they are able to afford shelter, live with someone to save money, a child living with parents, or staying with friends while looking for a place to live.  The data are limited to persons coming from a homeless situation within the past 5 years.  This item also asks whether those persons were in a homeless situation for financial reasons, or for other reasons such as substance abuse, emotional or mental problems, or personal preference.

Persons Per Room.  Persons per room is computed for each occupied housing unit by dividing the number of persons in the unit by the number of rooms in the unit.  The data refer, therefore, to the number of housing units having the specified ratio of persons per room.  See Rooms for a description of what constitutes a room.

Pests. 

Beginning with the 1993 NYCHVS, all persons who reported their race as “other” were allocated to one of the major race categories, as were persons not reporting race.  Beginning in 2002, respondents were able to report multiple races.  Thus, use caution when comparing racial data across surveys.  For a further explanation of these differences see the section, Relationship to Previous NYCHVS surveys that starts in the Overview.

Real Estate Taxes.  Two questions were asked pertaining to real estate taxes.  Excluded are payments on delinquent taxes due from prior years.  Data are available for the following:

            (1)            Whether the real estate taxes are paid separately.

            (2)            The amount of real estate taxes paid in 2007.

Reason Householder Moved From Previous Residence.  These data are shown for units where the householder moved into the sample unit in 2005 or later.  The categories refer to reasons causing the move from the previous residence.  The reasons are described below:

            EMPLOYMENT

Job Transfer/New Job - Householder moved due to taking a new job or was transferred to area by employer.

Retirement - Householder moved after retirement.

Looking for Work - Householder moved because it seemed to be a good area to find a job.

Commuting Reasons - Householder moved because this unit is closer to place of employment or the commute is more efficient or improved than previous residence.

To Attend School - Householder moved to attend school in another area.

Other Financial/Employment Reason - Householder moved for some other job related reason.

            FAMILY

Needed Larger House or Apartment - Householder moved because more space was needed.

Widowed - Householder moved because husband/wife passed away.

Separated/Divorced - Householder moved due to separation or divorce.

Newly Married - Householder moved because of marriage.

Moved to Be With or Closer to Relatives - Householder moved to live with or closer to other relatives.

Family Decreased (except widowed/separated/divorced) - Householder moved because family size shrank, such as grown children leaving home.

                        Wanted to Establish Separate Household - Householder moved to be "on one's own."

Other Family Reasons - Householder moved due to another family reason.

            NEIGHBORHOOD

Neighborhood Overcrowded - Householder moved because previous neighborhood was too crowded.

Change in Racial or Ethnic Composition of Neighborhood - Householder moved because people of different ethnic groups moved into previous neighborhood.

Wanted This Neighborhood/Better Neighborhood Services - Householder moved because there are better services and/or facilities in this neighborhood, or wanted this particular neighborhood.

Crime or Safety Concerns - Householder moved because this neighborhood has less crime, or former neighborhood had too much crime.

Other Neighborhood Reason - Householder moved due to other neighborhood reason.

            HOUSING

Wanted to Own Residence - Householder wanted to own unit.

Wanted to Rent Residence - Householder wanted to rent unit.

Wanted Less Expensive Residence/Difficulty Paying Rent or Mortgage - Householder moved because previous residence was too costly.

Wanted Better Quality Residence - Householder moved because this is a higher quality residence.  This may be due to better structural quality or better services such as maintenance or security.

Evicted - Householder was evicted from previous residence.

Poor Building Condition/Services - Householder moved because previous residence was not properly maintained, or in poor structural condition.

Harassment by Landlord - Householder moved because landlord at previous residence damaged the unit/building, threatened, or took other actions to get the resident to move out.

Needed Housing Accessible for Persons with Mobility Impairments - The householder moved to this unit because he/she or another household member required housing that was accessible for persons with physical disabilities that impaired mobility.  (New category in 1996.)

Other Housing Reason - Householder moved because of some other problem with previous residence or amenities of current residence.

            OTHER

Displaced by Urban Renewal, Highway Construction, or Other Public Activity - Householder moved because of government action such as road construction.

Displaced by Private Action (Other than Eviction) - Householder moved because of private action (other than eviction) such as conversion of a building to cooperative or condominium units.

Schools - Householder moved because there are better schools in this neighborhood.

Natural Disaster/Fire - Householder moved because last residence was damaged by fire or a natural disaster.

Any Other - Householder moved for any other reason not listed above.

Reasons Vacant Unit Not Available.  Data are presented for the reason that the vacant unit is not available for sale or for rent according to the following categories:

            •           Rented, not yet occupied - If money rent has been paid or a lease signed, but the renter has not moved in, the vacant unit is included in this category.

            •           Sold, not yet occupied - If the unit has recently been sold, but the new owner has not yet moved in, the vacant unit is included in this category.

            •           Unit or building is undergoing renovation - Includes vacant units which are being renovated, or the building is being renovated.

            •           Unit or building is awaiting renovation - Also includes vacant units held off the market until other units in the building can be vacated so that the whole building can be renovated.

            •           Being converted to nonresidential purposes - Vacant units that will be converted to nonresidential use are included in this category.

            •           There is a legal dispute involving the unit - Includes vacant units wherein the terms of a will, a lawsuit, settlement of an estate, or some other legal matter places the unit in limbo.

            •           Being converted or awaiting conversion to condominium or cooperative - Includes vacant units that are not available for rent or sale because they are in the process of being converted to a condo/coop.

            •           Held for occasional, seasonal, or recreational use - Includes vacant units which are held for weekend or other occasional use throughout the year.  Units belonging to a corporation for occasional use by an employee are also included in this category.

            •           The owner cannot rent or sell at this time due to personal problems - Includes vacant units that are unavailable for occupancy because of some personal problem of the owner such as age or illness.

            •           Being held pending sale of building - Includes vacant units that are being held until the entire building is sold.

            •           Being held for planned demolition - Includes vacant units in a building that the owner plans to demolish once the unit is vacated.

            •           Held for other reasons - Includes vacant units that are unavailable for reasons not included in any of the above categories.

Reference Person.  See Householder.

Relationship.  Relationships are determined by how each household member is related to the householder.  Persons are classified as relatives of the householder if they are related to him/her by blood, marriage, or adoption.  Unrelated household members could include a roomer/boarder, foster child, unmarried partner, housemate/roommate, or other nonrelative.

Rent.  See Monthly Asking Rent, Monthly Contract Rent,  Monthly Gross Rent, or Monthly Out-of-Pocket Rent.

Rent as Percent of Income.  This is the percentage of a household's average monthly income represented by the monthly rental expense.  Contract Rent as a percent of Income uses the monthly contract rent as the numerator.  Gross Rent as a percent of Income uses the monthly gross rent as the numerator.  Calculations are not done for households that do not pay rent, have no income, or report a net income loss.

Rent Regulation Status (see Control Status).  The final rent regulation status definitions were prepared by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Division of Housing Policy Analysis and Statistical Research.  They were the basis of the regulatory status categories used in this document and can be found in Definitions of Rent Regulation Status.

Rent Subsidy or assistance.  This refers to whether the Federal, state, or local government pays part of the unit's rent either to a member of the household or directly to the landlord under the following programs:

            •           Under the Federal Section 8 certificate or voucher program, the government pays part of the rent for low income families and individuals.  The tenants pay approximately 30 percent of their household income for rent, and the Section 8 program pays the difference between the tenant’s payment and a fair market rent.

            •           The Public Assistance Grant is made up of the Basic Grant and Shelter Allowance.  The Shelter Allowance is meant to be used for the payment of rent.  If the rent is higher than the Shelter Allowance, the tenant must pay the remainder of the rent from the Basic Grant.

            •           A Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) is for people aged 62 and above living in rent controlled, rent stabilized, or Mitchell-Lama units.  For tenants with incomes below a threshold amount, the city pays the difference in monthly rent resulting from increases that raise rent to more than one-third of income.

            •           Jiggets is a rent supplement provided to occupants who are public assistance recipients who are involved in eviction proceedings involving non-payment of rent.

            •           Employee Incentive Housing Program (EIHP) is a rent supplement using landlord incentive bonuses and time-limited supplements to relocate employable families on public assistance from shelters to permanent apartments.

            •           Work Advantage/Homeless Housing Program is a city-funded rent subsidy program that aims to move persons out of shelters or reunite them with their children in foster care.

            •           Any other federal, state, or city housing subsidy program.