Both private industry and government need information on the nature of the demand for rental housing. For over forty years, the Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA) has measured how soon privately financed, non-subsidized,  unfurnished units in buildings with five or more units are rented or sold (absorbed) after completion. In addition, the survey has collected data on characteristics such as number of bedrooms, asking rent, and asking price. This publication is of value to builders, bankers, market analysts, land planners, and government officials try ing to measure the needs for federal, state and local assistance in providing better housing.