U.S. Census Bureau Releases Detailed Information on Nation's Housing; Monthly Housing Costs Reach $1,000 for Homeowners

/PRNewswire/ -- The nation's homeowners paid a median of $1,000 in monthly housing costs in 2009, compared with $808 for renters, according to data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. However, renters usually paid a higher percentage of their household income on these costs than did owners (31 percent compared with 20 percent).

These new figures come from the 2009 American Housing Survey, the definitive source of information on the quality of housing in the United States. Statistics are provided for apartments, single-family homes, manufactured housing, new construction and vacant housing units.

Issued jointly every two years by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, this survey provides detailed information on the characteristics of the nation's housing stock.

A wide range of specific topics is covered, such as the presence of air conditioning, crowding, housing costs, special living services offered to older residents, safety equipment present, type of heating fuel used, satisfaction with the neighborhood, cost of utilities and size of the home. The survey also covers the demographic characteristics of the housing units' occupants.

"So many of these measures are really unique to this survey," notes Tamara Cole, chief of the Census Bureau's American Housing Survey Branch. "Together they provide a comprehensive view of the quality of the nation's housing stock. This survey is also a longitudinal one, meaning it follows the same unit over time. For example, you can track the remodeling done to a specific unit from one survey to the next."

The 2009 survey indicates that respondents are generally quite content with where they live: about 70 percent rate their homes an 8, 9, or 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 28 percent giving them the "best" rating of 10. Residents of new construction tend to rate their homes even more highly: 84 percent gave them between an 8 and 10, and 45 percent gave a perfect 10 rating. Likewise, more than two-thirds of residents (68 percent) rated their neighborhood highly with 25 percent giving it a "best" rating. People living in newly built homes rate their neighborhoods especially highly: 75 percent (rated highly) and 35 percent (rated best), respectively. (See Graphs 1 and 2.)

Other highlights for the nearly 112 million occupied housing units:
-- The median year housing units were built was in 1974, with
owner-occupied units being slightly newer (median of 1975 compared
with 1971 for renter-occupied units).
-- The median purchase price of homes was $107,500; for a newly
constructed home, it was $240,000.
-- Thirty-two percent of owner-occupied units were owned free and clear,
66 percent had a regular and/or home equity mortgage and 2 percent had
only a line-of-credit.
-- The most important consideration for recent movers in choosing their
homes was financial (28 percent), followed by room layout/design (15
percent) and size of home (10 percent). Furthermore, the most common
reasons recent movers had for choosing their neighborhoods were
convenience to job (20 percent), convenience to friends or relatives
(14 percent), look/design of neighborhood (10 percent) and the house
itself (10 percent).
-- About two-thirds (64 percent) of the units used a warm-air furnace for
heating; 12 percent used an electric heat pump; and 11 percent used a
steam or hot water system. The latter is increasingly falling out of
use as only 2 percent of new units use this system.
-- About half of homes (48 percent) had a separate dining room and three
in 10 (30 percent) reported two or more living rooms or recreation
rooms. About one-third (35 percent) had a usable fireplace.
-- About two-thirds of housing units (65 percent) had central air
conditioning and another 21 percent had window units; for new units,
the percentage with central air conditioning was even higher (89
percent).
-- About nine in 10 units (93 percent) reported the presence of a smoke
detector. Additionally, 36 percent reported having a working carbon
monoxide detector, 45 percent purchased or recharged a fire
extinguisher in the last two years and 5 percent had a sprinkler
system.
-- Most homes had three or more bedrooms (64 percent), with the
percentage even higher in new homes (80 percent). Additionally, about
half of homes (51 percent) had two or more bathrooms, with the
percentage even higher (89 percent) in new homes.
-- Ten percent of communities had secured entrances, with the likelihood
somewhat higher (15 percent) in new communities.


Data from this survey are available at the national and regional level, and for inside and outside metropolitan statistical areas, and urban and rural areas.

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Fannie Mae Announces National REO Rental Policy

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM) today announced the establishment of a new National Real Estate Owned (REO) Rental Policy that will allow qualified renters in Fannie Mae-owned foreclosed properties to stay in their homes. The company currently has an eviction suspension in place through the end of January which will allow for the new policy to be fully operationalized prior to the suspension concluding.

"Renters in foreclosed properties have often been a casualty of the foreclosure crisis the country is facing," said Michael Williams, chief operating officer of Fannie Mae. "This policy will allow qualified renters to remain in Fannie Mae-owned properties should they choose to do so, mitigate the disruption of personal lives that foreclosures can cause, and help bring a measure of stability to communities impacted by high foreclosure rates."

The new policy applies to renters occupying foreclosed properties at the time Fannie Mae acquires the property. Renters occupying any type of single-family property will be eligible including residents of two- to four-unit properties, condos, co-ops, single-family detached homes and manufactured housing. Eligible renters will be offered a new month-to-month lease with Fannie Mae or financial assistance for their transition to new housing should they choose to vacate the property. The properties must meet state laws and local code requirements for a rental property.

While the company markets the properties for sale, Fannie Mae will manage the properties through a real estate broker or a property management company. The company will not require security deposits to be posted in connection with this program.

Renters in the foreclosed properties will be asked to pay market rate rent under the new leases. Rates may be determined by reviewing local comparable rents, conducting a neighborhood survey, or through other relevant indicators. Rates will also be subject to any legal rent control restrictions. The company will review each instance where the market rate may require a tenant to pay additional rent and will work to reach an equitable resolution.

On behalf of the company, property managers are contacting renters in Fannie Mae-owned foreclosed properties to notify them of their options.

Fannie Mae exists to expand affordable housing and bring global capital to local communities in order to serve the U.S. housing market. Fannie Mae has a federal charter and operates in America's secondary mortgage market to enhance the liquidity of the mortgage market by providing funds to mortgage bankers and other lenders so that they may lend to home buyers. Our job is to help those who house America.

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