The problem is that vacancy status is determined, in the end game, by the enumerator who goes out there and looks at the building/unit. Some units that are really occupied will be declared vacant because the occupants, who may be squatters or illegal immigrants, are hiding from the census. Sometimes there's a fine line between a vacant unit and one which should be taken out of the stock as unlivable. I have the general impression that in 2010 the tendency here was toward vacant, whereas in 2000 and 1990 the tendency was toward removing it from the stock. I doubt that there's any way to prove this one way or the other. 

Adam - does your ordinance also cover vacant apartments in multi-unit buildings?

Bottom line - the census is not clearly definitive on this point. Its mission is to count people, not vacant units.

Patty Becker




At 09:41 AM 4/26/2011, you wrote:
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Hello everyone.
I am in need of information regarding how the Census Bureau determines the status of vacant structures.  Our city has a vacant structure ordinance in place.  This ordinance dictates that property owners register their buildings with the city planning department.  How does the Census determine which structures are vacant?  Thanks for the help.
 
Adam Aull
MPO Director/GIS Manager
Danville Area Transportation Study
17 West Main Street, Danville, IL 61832
T:  217 - 431 - 2325
F:  217 - 431 - 2237
E:  aaull@cityofdanville.org
 
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