CURRENT HOUSING REPORTS HOUSING VACANCIES OF MICHIGAN NOV 27 1962 -MAIN READING ROOM rate shows no significant change in level; the rate was 1.3 percent for the third quarter 1962, 1.4 for 1961, and 1.2 for 1960. The level of quality as measured by plumbing facilities remained about the same. In the third quarter 1962, seven-tenths of the rental vacancies had hot running water and private flush toilet and bath; eight-tenths of the homeowner vacancies had all plumbing facilities. With respect to the size of the units, the results on number of rooms also showed no change. Seven-tenths of the vacant rental units had three rooms or more, and ninetenths of the vacant homeowner units had at least four rooms. Beginning with the second quarter 1962, data on year structure built were collected for vacant available units. The results show that recently constructed units were much more 1962.... 1961. 1960. 1959. 1958.... Year Table 1.--RENTAL AND HOMEOWNER VACANCY RATES FOR THE UNITED STATES: 1958 TO 1962 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Luther H. Hodges, Secretary BUREAU OF THE CENSUS, For sale by the Bureau of the Census Washington 25, D.C. Price 10 cents. Richard M. Scammon, Director Table 2.--RENTAL AND HOMEOWNER VACANCY RATES, FOR THE UNITED STATES, REGIONS, AND INSIDE AND OUTSIDE STANDARD METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS: 1962, 1961, AND 1950 one Of the homeowner vacancies, almost all (89 percent) were single-family houses; half (50 percent) had been built since 1950; six-tenths (55 percent) had 3 or more bedrooms; and four-tenths (44 percent) had been vacant six months or longer. Of the rental vacancies, one-third (32 percent) were single-family houses; two-tenths (21 percent) had been built since 1950; only a few (11 percent) had 3 or more bedrooms; and about three-tenths (28 percent) had been vacant for at least six months. The level of quality was slightly higher for vacant for-sale units than for vacant forrent units. Eight-tenths (82 percent) of the for-sale vacancies had all plumbing facilities-hot running water, private flush toilet private bath. In comparison, seven-tenths (72 percent) of the rental vacancies had all plumbing facilities. and On the average, rental vacancies lacking facilities were smaller units and had been vacant a longer period of time than rental vacancies with all facilities. include houses that have been previously occupied as well as new housing, the latter group constituting about one-fifth of the "for sale" group. Data on rent and price asked exclude units in rural areas that were located on places of 10 acres or more. Data for such units were not obtained because of the difficulty of separating the amount for the housing unit from the amount for the land. The trend in rent or price asked for vacant units does not necessarily reflect the change in the general rent or price level. The rent or price asked is for available vacant units and may not represent the rent level of renter-occupied units or the current value of owner-occupied homes. Further, the rent or price is the amount asked at the time of enumeration and may differ from the rent contracted for or the selling price. Vacant units not on the market The rental and home owner vacancy rates describe the market conditions for available vacant housing. To analyze the total vacancy situation, vacant units not on the market must be considered. Vacant units not on the available market comprise units that have already been rented or sold, units held by the owner, dilapidated units, and vacant units intended only for seasonal occupancy. Of all housing units in the United States in the third quarter 1962, approximately 0.5 percent were vacant units which had been rented or sold but not yet occupied (and were for year-round use and not dilapidated). The proportion of such units did not differ from one region to another. Units held off the rental or sale market (and for year-round use and not dilapidated) amounted to 2.6 percent, the same as the rate for the preceding quarter. The rates showed little variation among the North Central, South and West Regions. The percentages were 2.6 for the North Central, 3.2 for the South and 3.0 for the West. The rate continued to be lowest in the Northeast, where it was 1.5 percent. The bulk of the units held off the market was in the territory outside metropolitan Table 3.--VACANT HOUSING UNITS BY CONDITION AND STATUS, FOR THE UNITED STATES: 1962, 1961, AND 1950 (Percent distribution) are |