American Housing Survey or AHS is a national representative survey that under the direction of the U.S. Census Bureau, every two odd numbered years collects data on the quality of housing in the United States. The gathered data is then provided to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and shared with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and analyzed to assess the percentage of persons in the United States living in inadequate or unhealthy homes.

The CDC defines inadequate housing as an occupied housing unit that has moderate or severe physical problems (e.g., deficiencies in plumbing, heating, electricity, hallways, and upkeep). Examples of moderate physical problems include two or more breakdowns of the toilets that lasted greater than 6 months, unvented primary heating equipment, or lack of a complete kitchen facility. Severe physical problems include lack of running hot or cold water, lack of a working toilet, and exposed wiring.

The CDC defines unhealthy housing as the presence of any additional characteristics that might negatively affect the health of its occupants including – evidence of rodents, water leaks, peeling paint in homes built before 1978, and the absence of working smoke or CO2 detectors. Other indicators of unhealthy housing, such as poor air quality from mold or radon, are not measured by AHS but could surely be included.

There are approximately 139 million housing units in the United States today, and approximately 24 million are occupied with multiple inadequate or unhealthy conditions. Unfortunately Inadequate and Unhealthy housing always disproportionately affects the populations that have the fewest resources –  low-income families and individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with physical limitations and children and older adults.