Rental Housing Surveys: A Guide to Assist Smaller Housing Agencies in Preparing Fair Market Rent Comments, 1998

This guide is intended to assist small PHAs in choosing the best means of surveying the rental housing stock in their areas in order to provide usable comments on proposed Fair Market Rents (FMRs). It includes information on conducting a telephone survey using a simplified method of random digit dialing (RDD) survey techniques, tailored for PHA staff rather than professional survey firms. The guide also explains how to employ more conventional survey methods, but emphasizes the difficulty in obtaining scientifically valid samples. In addition, the guide provides information about data collection, coding and analysis of the data, and preparation of comments to HUD. Attachments include a listing of telephone sample sources, examples of survey questionnaires, and suggestions for improving respondent cooperation.