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12 Department of Housing and Urban Development The establishment of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban De- velopment (HUD) in 1965 created a cabinet-level department combining all federal agencies then dealing with problems of housing and urban development. The department is now the principal federal agency re- sponsible for programs concerned with housing needs and improving and developing the nation's communities. In fiscal 1977, HUD was the seventh-largest departmental funder of social knowledge production and application activities in the federal government. The initial R&D emphasis of HUD was more technological than so- cial. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the dominant R&D activity was Operation Breakthrough, an attempt to accelerate the production of housing through a modular, factory-built approach. The primary objec- tive of the project was technological, to break through the barriers that prevented the use of improved methods and design, production, land use, marketing technology, and management in housing. Operation Breakthrough ended in 1973 and, since that time, HUD has shifted its R&D program to emphasize social rather than technological R&D. In fiscal 1977, approximately 85 percent of the department's R&D was social and the rest was technological. The technological R&D activities are primarily concerned with energy and the environment as they relate to housing and community development. A current example of such technological R&D is the support of the design of a Modular Integrated Utility System (MIUS), which will be a practical total energy and inte- grated utility system for housing complexes. 275
276 SURVEY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES SOCIAL KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION ACTIVITIES Table 12-1 presents the distribution of HUD'S social knowledge produc- tion and application obligations. Policy formulation demonstrations are the largest category because of the department's housing allowance experiments; the second-largest category is research. The two demonstration categories, policy implementation and policy formulation demonstrations, account for approximately 40 percent of the department's knowledge production and application activities. It is interesting to note that the two types of demonstrations, as might be expected by their definitions, are aimed at different audiences. The policy formulation demonstrationsâthe housing allowance TABLE 12-1 Department of Housing and Urban Development Social Knowledge Production and Application Activities (Smillions) Fiscal 1975 Fiscal 1976 Fiscal Activity 1977 Knowledge production Research 6.9 9.9 14.6 (12.9)° (17.1) (21.4) Policy formulation demonstrations 18.8 18.9 19.4 (34.9) (32.6) (28.3) Program evaluation 2.5 3.6 4.0 (4.7) (6.3) (5.9) General purpose statistics 8.6 11.2 11.3 (15.9) (19.4) (16.5) Total 36.9 43.7 49.3 (68.4) (75.3) (72.1) Knowledge application Policy implementation demonstrations r 7-3 6.8 9.4 (13.7) â¢* (13.5) (11.8) Development of materials 1.4 2.6 3.7 (2.6) (4.4) (5.5) Dissemination 8.3 4.5 6.0 (15.5) (8.6) (8.7) Total 17.0 14.4 19.1 (31.6) (24.7) (27.9) TOTAL 53.9 58.0 68.4 (100.0) (100.0) (100.0) Numbers may not total due to rounding. "Numbers in parentheses are column percentages.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 277 experimentsâare aimed at federal policy makers, to assist them in developing improved federal policies concerning housing allowances. In contrast, the policy implementation demonstrations are aimed at showing state and local decision makersâthird partiesânew pro- grammatic concepts that can be implemented at the local level. ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT Figure 12-1 presents an organizational chart of HUD. As a consequence of the 1973 reorganization of the department, all HUD social knowledge production and application activitiesâresearch, demonstrations, pol- icy development, economic research, and program evaluationâare conducted in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Develop- ment and Research. Formerly, these activities were conducted primar- ily within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Devel- opment and Evaluation. Other activities were scattered throughout the rest of the department. No social knowledge production and application activities are sup- ported by HUD outside the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research; however, the office frequently works closely with other offices within HUD. The community development and growth program is coordinated with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, and community development research is also coordinated with the New Communities Development Corporation. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research has responsibility for evaluating all HUD programs. It has evaluated the Mortgage Insurance Program and the Target Project Program for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Housing Management. HUD is somewhat unusual in having a centralized R&D office that conducts a broad range of knowledge production and application ac- tivities for the entire department. AUDIENCE Because the office is the only unit in the department to support social knowledge production and application activities, these activities have not been categorized by agency or office. Instead, in Table 12-2, the total knowledge production and application obligations of the office are categorized as to their primary audience or goal.
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Department of Housing and Urban Development 279 TABLE 12-2 Department of Housing and Urban Development Social Knowledge Production and Application by Primary Goal or Audience (fiscal 1977, Smillions) Total Obligations Primary for Social Goal or Knowledge Production Percentage of Audience and Application Obligations Improvement of federal policies 29.4 43.1 Knowledge for third parties 25.8 37.7 Collection of statistics 13.1 19.2 TOTAL 68.3 100.0 The table clearly points out the variety of functions that HUD knowl- edge production and application activities serve, primarily improving federal policy and providing knowledge for third parties. An important secondary concern is the improvement of HUD programs. POLICY AREAS IN THE DEPARTMENT In fiscal 1977, over 95 percent of the HUD social knowledge production and application obligations was funded in the housing and community development policy area. The remainder was funded in the policy areas of health, law enforcement, natural resources, and the environment. OFFICE OF POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH Social Knowledge Production and Application Obligations (Sthousands) Knowledge Production Activities Knowledge Application Activities Policy Policy Formula- Program General Implemen- Develop- Fiscal Re- tion Dem- Evalu- Purpose tation Dem- ment of Dissem- Year search onstrations ation Statistics Total onstrations Materials ination Total TOTAL 1975 6.927 18.828 2.539 8.592 36.886 7.271 1.398 8.343 17.012 53.898 1976 9.897 18.890 3.641 11.242 43.670 6.823 2.568 4.964 14.355 58.025 1977 14.618 19.377 4.042 11.273 49.310 9.383 3.743 5.951 19.077 68.387
280 SURVEY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Re- search supports a variety of social knowledge production and applica- tion activities related to the mission of HUD. The role of HUD'S research program is to identify, test, and demonstrate solutions to housing and community development problems and to make those solutions avail- able to those responsible for meeting the nation's housing and commu- nity development needs at the state and local level. The office attempts to develop a better understanding and improve the general state of knowledge concerning housing and community development. The R&D activities of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research were authorized by Title V of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1970, which directed the secre- tary of HUD to undertake programs of research studies, testing, and demonstrations related to the mission and programs of the department. Specific authorizations have been established by Congress for more specific research efforts, such as research on housing allowances, housing abandonments, lead paint poisoning, and housing for those with special needs, such as the elderly and the handicapped. The program serves as both a national and departmental focal point for housing and community development research. In carrying out its wide responsibilities, the office has the following responsibilities: o developing, planning, executing, and evaluating HUD'S research and demonstration programs; o disseminating HUD research results; and TABLE 12-3 Office of Policy Development and Research (fiscal 1977, $millions) Total Obligations for Social Knowledge Production Topic and Application Community development 11.9 Housing 31.0 Product dissemination and 0.7 transfer Program evaluation 4.0 State and local government 9.5 Statistics 11.3 TOTAL 68.4
Department of Housing and Urban Development 281 o providing program evaluation, economic analysis, and policy analysis to the secretary to assist in the formulation of departmental policy for national housing and community development goals and pro- gram priorities and objectives. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research is organized around the topics presented in Table 12-3, each of which is discussed separately. For Further Information See Compendium of Research Contracts and Reports (1973) HUD-PD&R-4043-73, and PDR: Fiscal Year 1977 Research and Technology Program, internal document, which are both publications of the Office of Policy Development and Research, or write Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20410. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Social Knowledge Production and Application Obligations (Sthousands) Knowledge Production Activities Knowledge Application Activities Policy Policy Formula- Program Genera) Implemen- Develop- Rscal Re- tion Dem- Evalu- Purpose tation Dem- ment of Dissem- Year search onstrations ation Statistics Total onstrations Materials ination Total TOTAL 1975 3.105 1417 4.322 2.464 1.144 3.608 7.930 1976 3.346 877 4.223 3.518 785 4.303 8.526 1977 5.831 876 6.707 4.392 m 5.192 11.894 The Community Development and Management Division and the Community Conservation Research Division support activities on community development, the second-largest topic of concern to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Re- search. Research Research is conducted on: neighborhood preservation and revitaliza- tion, environmental improvement and resource conservation, and community development and growth. NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION AND RE V I T A LIZ ATION RCSCaTCh JS SUp- ported to determine appropriate public and private actions that can be
282 SURVEY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES taken to prevent and reverse neighborhood decline, including decline in those neighborhoods in which the presence of HUD-acquired prop- erties may contribute to such decline. Research topics are as follows: Preservation Analysis focuses on developing an understanding of the causes and process of decline; establishing means to identify neigh- borhoods open to decline and preservation activities; and identifying for local users those measures that can reverse the process of decline and preserve neighborhood environments. Research is being under- taken to examine the specific sectors that have a major impact on the process of neighborhood decline: insurers, appraisers, lenders, real estate brokers, and managers. Revitalization of Blighted Neighborhoods is directed at providing communities with needed information about effective revitalization ef- forts that can be used in the development of local policies and programs under the Community Development Block Grant Program. Disposition of Acquired Properties includes a review of lending prac- tices and mortgage defaults to develop a better understanding of the housing-cost-to-income relationship required to successfully carry a mortgage. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION The goal of this program is to learn how to assist the processes of commu- nity development while preserving and enhancing the quality of life. Solutions to problems raised by energy and environmental limitations are sought. While nearly two-thirds of this area is nonsocial, one pro- gram area is devoted to the study of the effects of development on the environment. Research is conducted on improving land use practices and environmental planning procedures. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH RCSCaTCh JS fUIldt'd tO vide federal, state, and local governments with information and tech- niques to understand the forces of growth and development and to assist them in developing strategies to shape the direction and quality of growth and development. The program is divided in two: National and Community Growth Research focuses on planning and directing effective economic community development programs. Re- search is supported to analyze and evaluate issues, data, and informa- tion on demographic, economic, social, land use, and government trends and changes. Simulation models are used to study migration patterns and housing market dynamics. New Communities is geared to assist the HUD New Communities Administration make decisions affecting existing legislation and long-
Department of Housing and Urban Development 283 term decisions on future policy and legislative initiatives. Examples of research include a study of educational systems in new communities and a study of the state role in new community development. Policy Implementation Demonstrations Next to research, policy implementation demonstrations are the largest knowledge production and application activity in community develop- ment. Two large policy implementation demonstrations concern neigh- borhood preservation and revitalization. URBAN REINVESTMENT TASK FORCE (URTp) DEMONSTRATION A key tO the preservation of a neighborhood is the development of confidence in the neighborhood on the part of the community's residents, local gov- ernment, and commercial and financial interests. In conjunction with the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, HUD established the URTF dem- onstration. The task force directs efforts to encourage neighborhood preservation and home improvements. This project is meant to demon- strate how neighborhoods can be "turned around" by local residents working with local financial institutions and local governments. It makes loans at flexible rates to neighborhood residents who do not meet commercial standards. The objective of this project is for other neighborhoods and nearby cities to observe the process so that they can initiate similar efforts appropriate to meet their particular needs. URBAN HOMESTEADING This well-known demonstration is supported by 23 cities that view urban homesteading as a device to preserve selected ailing urban neighborhoods. Both the socioeconomic charac- teristics of successful homesteaders and the various legal, financial, and administrative mechanisms employed by municipalities in conduct- ing these demonstrations are being analyzed. HOUSING Social Knowledge Production and Application Obligations (Sthousands) Knowledge Production Activities Knowledge Application Activities Policy Policy Formula- Program General Implemen- Develop- Fiscal Re- tion Dem- Evalu- Purpose tation Dem- ment of Dissem- Year search onstrations ation Statistics Total onstrations Materials ination Total TOTAL 1975 2.759 17.091 19.850 4.807 564 241 5.612 25.462 1976 5.321 17.408 22,729 3.305 1.335 326 4.966 27.695 1977 6355 17.461 24.316 4.991 1.637 100 6.728 31.044
284 SURVEY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES Activities on housing, the largest area of social knowledge production and application in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy De- velopment and Research, are conducted in four divisions: the Housing Research Division; the Community Conservation Division; the En- ergy, Building, and Standards Research Division; and the Office of Economic Affairs. Research Research is conducted on a wide variety of matters related to housing issues. Areas of research include: increasing opportunities; improving safety and standards; improving construction, delivery, and costs; and improving management and maintenance. INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES The objective of this program area is to increase access to decent housing for those persons whose opportuni- ties are limited by income discrimination, age, disability, or insufficient information. Equal Opportunity I Fair Housing The program is concerned with understanding the nature, extent, and effects of discriminatory prac- tices, providing the basis for increasing compliance with equal oppor- tunity statutes, executive orders, and department regulations. Special User Requirements The program is concerned with the housing and community service needs of special usersâthe elderly, the handicapped, the displaced, single individuals, broken families, and large households. Housing Markets and Consumer Education The program examines the housing market and develops ways to improve consumer housing choice. IMPROVING SAFETY AND STANDARDS Research in this program area is concerned with achieving safer homes and developing standards that reduce the life, health, and financial risks to occupants and building owners. Much of this research is technological and excluded from the survey totals. However, some social research is funded: Fire Safety Systems analysis is supported to analyze the interrela- tionships between the various possible events in fires and to evaluate the effectiveness of alternative means for achieving fire safety. Lead Paint Hazard Reduction National and local surveys are con- ducted to develop more reliable data on the extent of lead paint use in housing.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 285 Security A security vulnerability survey instrument was developed to measure accurately the incidence of crime and security problems in public housing. IMPROVING CONSTRUCTION, DELIVERY, AND COSTS A research program was established as a result of concerns about rising costs, limited natu- ral and energy resources, fluctuations in housing production levels, and the impact of questionable constraints on housing construction and use. Roughly half of this research was judged to be technological. Social research is concentrated on acquisition costs, housing supply, and finance, and research is supported to develop a better understand- ing of the factors affecting housing finance, production, and supply. IMPROVING MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE RCSCaTCh in tills gram area is focused on ways to improve efficiency and to reduce the costs of housing operation, maintenance, and repair. Research is funded to develop a better understanding of housing maintenance and rehabilitation processes and to identify promising procedures to extend the useful life of existing housing. An analysis of home improvement lending practices has also been conducted. Policy Formulation Demonstrations The dominant policy formulation demonstration on housing is the Ex- perimental Housing Allowance Program (EHAP). This experiment is testing the feasibility of providing direct cash assistance to eligible families for their rental or mortgage payments. EHAP is designed to test the potential of direct cash assistance and to provide needed informa- tion on three fundamental questions: how families use their allow- ances, how the housing market responds to allowances, and how al- lowance programs should be administered. To answer each of these questions, three experiments have been funded. THE DEMAND (CONSUMER) EXPERIMENT This experiment is concerned with determining how households, receiving alternate forms and amounts of assistance, use their housing allowance. The experimental sites are the cities of Pittsburgh and Phoenix. THE SUPPLY (MARKET) EXPERIMENT This experiment attempts to simu- late a full-scale direct cash assistance program in the cities of Green Bay and South Bend. The experiment is measuring the reactions of an
286 SURVEY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES entire housing market to a full-scale housing allowance program in terms of housing or rental costs, residential mobility patterns, the be- havior of bankers, realtors, and other market intermediaries, and the general community reaction. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY (MANAGEMENT) EXPERIMENT ThlS CX- periment is attempting to learn about the various methods of adminis- tering a direct cash assistance program. Eight different public agencies were given broad latitude in designing and administering housing al- lowance programs for a maximum of 900 families. Each agency offered housing assistance for an experimental period of two years. Informa- tion collected from this experiment is being analyzed in terms of four major administrative processes: enrollment, payment operation and controls, participant services, and overall management. Policy Implementation Demonstrations In contrast to policy formulation demonstrations, which seek to de- velop new knowledge, policy implementation demonstrations serve to "show off" new methods of delivery in the hope that appropriate local agencies will implement these programs. Several policy implementa- tion demonstrations are now being funded on housing. PUBLIC HOUSING MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ThJS program is demonstrating cost-effective management techniques that can be applied nationally. The program has demonstrated nine readily trans- ferable management changes for public housing that have potential for improving the efficiency and quality of public housing operations. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/FAIR HOUSING Several policy implementation demonstrations are being funded on this topic. A consortium of real estate and human rights organizations was funded to develop an area- wide affirmative marketing plan in the local real estate industry. Another project demonstrated a model of comprehensive fair housing and legal aid programs. Development of Materials The development of several handbooks has been supported by the housing program. A residential construction inspection handbook was developed. A catalog of existing innovative local programs and proce-
Department of Housing and Urban Development 287 dures designed to stimulate housing maintenance and rehabilitation was also supported. Five universities were funded to develop cur- riculum and training materials on public housing management. For Further Information See The Experimental Housing Allowance Program (1974) HUD-PDR-74, Second An- nual Report of the Experimental Housing Allowance Program (June 1974), Experimental Housing Allowance Program: Initial Impressions and Findings (April 1975), Interim Report, which are publications of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Devel- opment and Research. To obtain the documents listed above, write Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20410. PRODUCT DISSEMINATION AND TRANSFER Social Knowledge Production and Application Obligations (Sthousands) Knowledge Production Activities Knowledge Application Activities Policy Policy Formula- Program General Implemen- Develop- Fiscal Re- tion Dem- Evalu- Purpose tation Dem- ment of Dissem- Year search onstrations ation Statistics Total onsirations Materials ination Total TOTAL 1975 216 216 218 218 434 1976 493 493 493 \4m 653 653 653 The Product Dissemination and Transfer Division is concerned with the dissemination and transfer activities of the Office of Policy Devel- opment and Research. Its purpose is to ensure greater use of HUD- sponsored research results by state and local government, the building industry, and others whose responsibilities affect the quality of the urban environment. Dissemination The division supports a variety of dissemination activities, including the development and improvement of systems to collect, store, and retrieve information on research projects and reports. Other activities include the dissemination of research results via executive summaries and brochures. Information packages are developed to assist state and local government practitioners.
288 SURVEY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES PROGRAM EVALUATION Social Knowledge Production and Application Obligations (Sthousands) Knowledge Production Activities Knowledge Application Activities Policy Policy Formula- Program General Implemen- Develop- Fiscal Re- tion Dem- Evalu- Purpose tation Dem- ment of Dissem- Year search onstrations ation Statistics Total onst rations Materials ination Total TOTAL 1975 2.539 2.539 2.539 1976 3.641 3.641 3.641 1977 4.042 4.042 4.042 The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Re- search conducts program evaluations of policy development and re- search activities and HUD operating programs. Program Evaluation The two areas of program evaluation are described below. EVALUATION OF POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES ThJS program is concerned with evaluating the research, demonstration, and data collection activities of the Office of Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research to ensure that they are both effectively managed and cost-effective. Evaluation efforts focus on specific pro- grams and are used in redirecting ongoing activities and planning new initiatives to ensure a more effective research program. These evalua- tions attempt to ascertain whether research projects employ appropri- ate management techniques; determine the cost-effectiveness of the methods, procedures, and systems developed under Huo-funded re- search; and identify those research products and results that have the highest potential for dissemination and transfer to various user groups. Both research studies and demonstration projects are evaluated. EVALUATION OF HUD OPERATING PROGRAMS The Objective Of thJS prO- gram is to provide timely and accurate evaluations of the department's operating programs. Particular attention is given to early identification of important policy issues so that relevant analyses can be completed and the findings used in department, policy, budget, and other decision-making processes. These program evaluations concentrate on identifying and measuring the benefits and costs (both intended and unintended) of specific HUD programs and activities; identifying effec-
Department of Housing and Urban Development 289 tive or ineffective programs; and quantifying, when possible, the trade-offs of alternative policy decisions. Major evaluations of the fol- lowing programs were conducted during fiscal 1976. Federal Housing Administration Programs In this evaluation, sev- eral aspects of the Federal Housing Adminstration insurance programs were examined to determine appropriate objectives for the Federal Housing Administration in light of the functions performed by the pri- vate mortgage insurance industry. Community Development Block Grant Program This evaluation is attempting to answer several fundamental questions in preparation of its 1977 congressional review. Special emphasis is being placed on finding out how well the allocation formula distributes funds in rela- tionship to objective measures of need. Fair Housing Program This evaluation is reviewing the extent and impact of housing discrimination and is developing methodology to determine the effects of Title VIII programs. Other evaluations include analysis of selected issues regarding defaults and subsidy phase patterns; incentive fee systems for property disposi- tion; the flood insurance program; the role of state housing agencies; and public housing operating subsidies. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Social Knowledge Production and Application Obligations (Sthousands) Knowledge Production Activities Knowledge Application Activities Policy Policy Formula- Program General Impkmen- Develop- Fiscal Re- tion Dem- Evalu- Purpose tation Dem- ment of Dissem- Year search onstrations ation Statistics Total onstrations Materials ination Total TOTAL 1975 M7 520 1.367 834 6.740 7J74 8.941 1976 1.230 605 1.835 1.233 3.360 4.593 6.428 1977 1.932 1.040 2.972 2.106 4.398 6.504 9.476 The state and local government program, which is conducted entirely by the Division of Community Development and Management, aims to improve the capabilities of state and local governments and the deliv- ery of public services. Since local governments have much responsibil- ity in setting priorities and shaping programs in response to specific local needs, they require new and greater analytical capabilities. This program does not concentrate on producing new knowledge but instead emphasizes the application of knowledge; nearly 70 percent of its total
290 SURVEY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES knowledge production and application funds is used for knowledge application activities. Research Research activities are funded on: taxation mechanisms, land use con- trol techniques, organizational structures, and improving delivery methods of public services. TAXATION MECHANISMS This research program studies the capacity of local governments to generate revenue equitably and efficiently and to manage funds received. Research is conducted on the use of taxes in implementing community development strategies. LAND USE CONTROL TECHNIQUES This program develops, for state and local government use, land use guidance techniques that can be used in implementing community development programs. One project analyzed the relationship between zoning and market processes affect- ing land prices. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES Research in this area is prompted by the fact that many of the problems faced by state and local govern- ments are often complicated by existing jurisdictional lines and organi- zations. This research program identifies the organizational difficulties that localities see as limiting their effective performance and provides those localities with information and procedural models for structural and functional organization. Research projects include a study of two- tier governments, substate regionalism, and joint provision of services as a method to improve service delivery. IMPROVING DELIVERY METHODS OF PUBLIC SERVICES Research in thJS area aims to assist state and local government officials to increase the productivity with which available resources are used to deliver serv- ices to the public. Research is supported on the development of new methods for predicting service demands, locating facilities, providing efficient, equitable delivery of public services, and analyzing commu- nity problems and evaluating solutions. In the past, research has fo- cused on the delivery of municipal fire and emergency services. Policy Formulation Demonstrations A limited number of policy formulation demonstrations are supported. Most are concerned with examining methods to improve local produc-
Department of Housing and Urban Development 291 tivity. One project selected communities to identify, test, evaluate, and document strategies for improvement of productivity. These com- munities tested innovative approaches to improving the operation and maintenance of parks, recreation facilities, streets, and highways. Development of Materials The development of materials, such as handbooks, is a major means of assisting state and local government officials and disseminating infor- mation to them. Materials have been prepared in the following areas. TAXATION MECHANISMS Handbook and training materials were pre- pared on methods to increase the efficiency, equity, and yield of prop- erty tax systems and the relationships of property taxes to local eco- nomic growth. LAND USE CONTROL TECHNIQUES Materials have been developed to as- sist state and local government officials in using land guidance tech- niques. IMPROVED PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY METHODS A handbook On ductivity was funded that presents information on various aspects of government productivity improvement to assist local government managers and analysts. Dissemination Dissemination is the largest activity of the state and local government program area. A variety of dissemination methods are usedâtechnical assistance, creation of dissemination networks, and information re- trieval systems. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research supports much technical assistance. University faculty and students have been funded to provide professional planning and design assistance to communities that could not normally afford such spe- cialized services. Based on the success of this program, similar efforts have been funded to provide technical management assistance to local governments. A recent project used the resources of schools of public administration to provide administrative and management assistance to smaller communities that normally would be unable to acquire such technical assistance. The urban observatory program, another example of the concept of technical assistance via cooperation between universities and cities, is
292 SURVEY OF FEDERAL AGENCIES now being tried in a group of small cities. In-service and in-career education is a type of technical assistance. The office is supporting five professional organizations to assist in meeting the training needs of local government officials. Another example of technical assistance is a grant to eight black colleges to develop community resource centers. Centers were established at each college for the purpose of developing, testing, and evaluating models designed to enhance planning and man- agement capacities of selected general purpose governments. Prior to fiscal 1977, the office supported municipal information sys- tems aimed at improving and modernizing the information-gathering capabilities of municipalities to assist in their management and decision-making processes. Competitive awards were made to selected cities for the development of part or all of an Integrated Municipal Information System. STATISTICS Social Knowledge Production and Application Obligations (Sthousands) Knowledge Production Activities Knowledge Application Activities Policy Policy Formula- Program General Implemen- Develop- Fiscal Re- tion Dem- Evalu- Purpose tation Dem- ment of Dissem- Year search onstrations ation Statistics Total onstration s Materials ination Total TOTAL 1975 8.592 8.592 8.592 1976 1 1 .242 1 1 .242 11.242 1977 1 1 .273 11.273 11.273 The Office of Economic Affairs is responsible for collecting general purpose statistics on housing for HUD. These statistics provide com- prehensive information on the status of the existing housing stock; the location, volume, characteristics, and price of new housing in the United States; and the level of residential construction loans and per- manent financing. This information, augmented by special studies, is useful in the formulation of housing and community development pol- icy and in the direction of HUD programs. General Purpose Statistics A major effort is made to provide data and accompanying analyses to national, state, and local government officials; the housing industry; and the financial community. The following statistical programs are supported by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy Develop- ment and Research.
Department of Housing and Urban Development 293 THE ANNUAL HOUSING SURVEY This survey is designed to measure changes in the nation's housing inventory by compiling data on the physical conditions of the housing units, the environment in which they are located, and relevant characteristics of their occupants. The survey consists of a national sample and a sample of standard metropolitan statistical areas. The following reports have been based on the survey: General Housing Characteristics; Indicators of Housing and Neigh- borhood Quality; Financial Characteristics of the Housing Inventory; and Housing Characteristics of Recent Movers. OTHER CONTINUING DATA SERIES The data series provide continuing information on the production and marketing of housing of all types and on mortgage lending and commitment activities. Included are sur- veys of market absorption of new rental units, new home sales, housing construction completions, monthly surveys of mortgage lending and commitment activity, and mobile home on-site placements. SPECIAL STUDIES AND SURVEYS These complement the continuing data series and are conducted to provide in-depth information on important issues. Recent studies have been conducted on the number of construc- tion industries not covered by collective bargaining agreements and an analysis of data on vacancy rates.
