What Defines ‘Housing Unit’?
A housing unit is a distinct entity within a larger building, designed for dwelling by an individual or a family. These units may exist within various types of residences such as houses, apartments, and even mobile homes. A housing unit is essentially a separate living quarter with facilities allowing occupants to live, eat, and sleep independently from other residents. It often provides direct access from the exterior or via a common hallway.
Key Insights
- A housing unit functions as a solitary living space within a broader structure like a house, apartment, mobile home, or multiple rooms.
- These units enable inhabitants to live discreetly apart from other residents within the same complex or structure.
- The residential construction sector is the largest driver of new housing units.
Understanding Housing Units
Housing units span various types of residential constructions, including homes, apartments, and condominium buildings. In some cases, they may also be multiple rooms within large structures, such as hotels and motels. These units are designed to cater to individuals or families, promoting an environment where occupants can live, eat, and sleep completely separated from others.
The largest source of change in housing units comes from residential construction, both permitted and non-permitted. Over 99% of all new housing units are constructed in areas where building permits are required, as per the U.S. Census Bureau data.
However, some living quarters are generally excluded from being classified as housing units in Census Bureau records:
- Dormitories, bunkhouses, and barracks
- Transitory hotels and motels, unless deemed a permanent residence by occupants
- Quarters in institutions, general hospitals, and military installations—except when occupied by staff or resident employees
Recording Housing Units
Each year, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the number of housing units for all counties and states. This data serves as a control mechanism to track population growth or decline in various jurisdictions.
The Census Bureau’s methodology for these estimates starts with the most recent census data and factors in new residential constructions and mobile homes added within the year. Losses of housing units, such as through demolitions or homes moved, are subtracted to give the annual estimate. As of 2022, there were approximately 143.8 million housing units in the U.S.
Housing unit loss may be attributed to:
- Interior exposure to elements
- Demolished structure
- Relocated homes, including mobile homes
Certain states exhibit accelerating loss rates due to natural disasters. For instance, California’s Butte County, which suffered the Camp Fire wildfire in 2018, experienced a 13.9% decline in housing units from 2018 to 2019.
Inspiring Examples of Housing Units
Housing units come in diverse forms and can often signify transformation in residential living spaces. Consider these examples:
- A homeowner might choose to convert their basement into a secondary suite. Following renovation, this space can be rented out or used by family members, thus becoming an additional, separate housing unit within the same house.
- A developer could secure permits to build an apartment complex on vacant land. The units that result from the construction would each be considered independent housing units.
Related Terms: building permits, condominium, residential homes, apartment complex, mobile home.
References
- United States Census Bureau. “2022 Building Permit Data Available for Every U.S. County”.
- United States Census Bureau. “QuickFacts”.
- United States Census Bureau. “How Disasters Affect the Nation’s Housing”.
