Substandard Housing

Researchers and policymakers have long struggled with the development of an operational definition for substandard housing. Although the 1949 Housing Act established the principle of “a decent home and suitable living environment for all Americans,” it failed to define any of the terms used. Analysts defined substandard housing as lacking complete plumbing (in urban areas), needing major structural repairs, or both. In 1940, the first decennial Census of Housing included a question about complete plumbing facilities; enumerators also recorded their evaluation of overall structural condition. The 1950 Census of Housing replaced the term needing major repairs with “sound” and “dilapidated.” Deteriorating was added in 1960. By 1970, the U.S. Census Bureau decided to drop the structural condition question because it was determined that there was a high incidence of classification error and the census was to be conducted by mail.

More detailed data on housing quality are collected in the American Housing Survey (AHS), which started in 1973. This survey solicits data on the same 55,000 housing units every 2 years with units regularly added to reflect new construction. More targeted surveys of housing in 47 metropolitan areas are conducted every 6 years although financial constraints have created difficulties with this schedule. The survey is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Although respondents were initially asked to rate the overall quality of their unit, it was determined that they gave higher ratings than enumerators. The historical measures of quality—lack of plumbing and the need for major repairs—are less useful today, as this level of deficit is less common, and current housing problems often represent only temporary deficiencies. As a result, the AHS delves into the issue of housing quality through highly detailed questions addressing such concerns as missing roof materials, sloping outside walls, water potability, and exposed wiring.

By several measures, citizens of the United States are among the best housed in the world. According to the 2009 American Housing Survey, the median size of occupied units is 1,700 square feet with 750 square feet per person. Nearly two thirds (64.3%) of housing units have three bedrooms or more and 97.8% have complete plumbing. Only 2.2% are considered to be overcrowded with more than one person per room.