Every three years the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) partners with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct the New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey, which is used to determine New York City's overall vacancy rate for rental housing. A rental vacancy rate below five percent triggers a housing emergency, which is needed to continue rent regulation protections for City residents.

The survey also evaluates the City's overall housing inventory, neighborhood and housing conditions, wheelchair accessibility, rental and ownership rates, utility costs, and the city's median income and rent levels. The survey is an important resource for housing policy reforms and programs.

The latest New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey was conducted in 2017.

Learn more about the most recent Housing Vacancy Survey.