Survey of Market Absorption of Apartments

1. Who sponsors the Survey of Market Absorption (SOMA)?
2. How frequently are the data collected?
3. Who is interviewed?
4. Where do the sample cases come from?
5. How is the information made available?

The survey is sponsored by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Data are collected each month by the 12 Regional Offices of the Census Bureau. The initial interview occurs three months after a building is completed. Subsequent interviews, if necessary, occur at 6, 9 and 12-month intervals.

The building manager or rental/sales agent are preferable. The owner or builder may also respond.

Buildings selected for the SOMA come from the Bureau's Survey of Construction (SOC). New buildings are brought into sample each month. The actual number will vary based on construction activity.

Data are tabulated quarterly and annually and are released on the Internet along with selected metro area quarterly abosorption rates. Additionally, an annual report on the "Characteristics of Apartments Completed" is produced.