For over forty years, the Survey of Market Absorption (SOMA) has been measuring how soon privately financed, nonsubsidized, unfurnished units in buildings with five or more units are rented or sold (absorbed) after completion. In addition, the survey collects data on characteristics such as number of bedrooms, asking rent, and asking price. This publication continues to be of value to builders, bankers, market analysts, land planners, and Government officials trying to measure the needs for Federal, State and local assistance in providing better housing.