HUD Launches Web Site for Economic and Housing Data

HUD recently launched a Web site that consolidates a wide variety of economic and housing market data at the regional, state, metropolitan area, and county levels. The Web site draws on data from the Census Bureau, Labor Department, state and local governments, housing industry sources, as well as HUD's field economists, to populate interactive maps that allow site managers and staff to access a variety of reports—from a region-wide look at employment and housing activity to individual county-level figures on population trends, rental activity, and vacancy rates. The portal offers the following reports:

• Market at a Glance reports contain data trends for every metropolitan area and county nationwide, with employment data updated on a monthly basis.
• Regional Housing Market Profiles are based on the quarterly U.S. Housing Market Conditions report and include nonfarm employment, population changes, and building activity; they also focus on the most recent rental activity for the past two years.
• Regional Narratives are broad overviews of trends within 10 U.S. regions.
• Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis reports focus on particular metropolitan housing markets.