HUD Requests Public Input on Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units

Strategic Insights -

The Office of the Federal Register has issued a notice from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requesting information from the public on uses of the Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA). The HUD is evaluating current needs for data from SOMA and soliciting comments on uses of SOMA data, concerns about the SOMA, and other relevant information. Interested parties, including government policy makers, academic researchers, and SOMA data users, are invited to submit comments responding to specific questions and concerns about the SOMA. Comments are requested on or before November 10, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Survey of Market Absorption of New Multifamily Units (SOMA) is a crucial data source for understanding the rate at which new rental apartments and condominiums/cooperative apartments are absorbed by the market.
  • SOMA data provides insights into the time between completion and rental or sale of new multifamily units, as well as information on rents, sales prices, and size of apartments rented or sold.
  • HUD is interested in public input on uses of SOMA data and other comments or concerns about the SOMA, including reducing or eliminating the survey, modifying its content, or using private sector data sources as alternatives.
  • Interested parties, including government policy makers, academic researchers, and SOMA data users, are invited to submit comments responding to specific questions and concerns about the SOMA.
  • Comments are requested on or before November 10, 2025, and late-filed comments will be considered to the extent practicable.

Statistics:

  • The SOMA uses the Survey of Construction (SOC) as its sampling base.
  • The SOMA provides data on the first twelve months following completion of a building.
  • The SOMA data tables and documentation can be found on the Office of Policy Development and Research website.

Sources:

  • Washington, DC: Office of the Federal Register, [FR Doc. 2025-17260 Filed 9-8-25; 8:45 am]
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development, Request for Information, Federal Register, 2025.