Census Bureau Seeks Clearance Extension for Survey of Construction with Methodological Changes

The Department of Commerce published a notice on October 30, 2026, detailing the U.S. Census Bureau plan to submit an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget. The request seeks a three-year extension and revision of the current clearance for the Survey of Housing Starts, Sales, and Completions, commonly known as the Survey of Construction. The current approval is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2027.

Background and Program Scope

The Survey of Construction is co-sponsored by the Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It collects monthly data on new residential construction from a sample of owners and builders. Using electronic questionnaires via Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing, the Census Bureau gathers information on start and completion dates, physical characteristics such as floor area and heating systems, and financial details including sales price and financing types. The resulting data feed directly into critical national economic indicators such as Housing Starts, Housing Completions, and New Residential Sales.

Methodological Adjustments for 2027

A notable change accompanies this renewal request. Beginning in January 2027, the survey will no longer cover a sample of non-permit-issuing areas. Agency officials determined that because non-permit estimates have steadily decreased over time to represent less than one percent of single-family estimates, the cost and difficulty of data collection no longer justify the benefit. Consequently, estimates from 2027 onward will rely exclusively on permit-issuing areas.

Burden and Administrative Details

The information collection operates under OMB Control Number 0607-0110. The agency samples approximately 19,353 new buildings each year, resulting in an estimated 177,702 interviews annually. Each response averages about five minutes, totaling an estimated 14,809 burden hours. Participation in the survey is voluntary, backed by legal authorities under Title 13 of the United States Code and Title 12 of the United States Code.

Broader Economic Implications

Federal agencies, the private sector, and financial institutions heavily rely on the statistics generated by this survey. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System uses the data to evaluate how interest rates affect housing sales and construction. The Bureau of Economic Analysis incorporates the findings into Gross Domestic Product calculations. Additionally, industry actors use the figures to forecast building material demand and gauge short-term and long-term borrowing needs.

Public Comment and Review Process

Following an initial 60-day public comment period initiated on July 20, 2026, the current notice provides an additional 30 days for public review. Written comments and recommendations must be submitted through the www.reginfo.gov website under the review section for Department of Commerce collections. Sheleen Dumas, Departmental PRA Compliance Officer for the Commerce Department, serves as the contact point for compliance oversight.