Data License for Access to Restricted Data

Overview

PD&R has the authority to enter into Data License Agreements with research organizations for the explicit purpose of conducting innovative research projects that inform HUD’s policies and programs. Such licenses are appropriate when –

1. important policy-relevant research questions can only be answered by using, among other resources, personally identifiable information in the possession of HUD
2. the research organization can offer adequate safeguards for the confidentiality of the data if HUD shares the data with that organization
3. the research organization does not need funding or other resources from HUD to carry out the research project
4. the research organization will destroy all personally identifiable information received from HUD at the expiration of the license

The principal researcher(s) on proposed projects for which HUD data are being sought must complete a Data License Application. The Data License Application should be submitted to DataLicense@hud.gov. Applications are subject to rigorous review by a committee of professional researchers. The basis of data requests should be succinctly described, and proposed data use must contribute to the testing of a clearly formulated hypothesis.

Data Available Through the Data License Agreement Process

The data license agreement process largely provides researchers with household-level and/or member-level administrative data from HUD’s housing rental assistance programs, including public housing, housing choice vouchers, and multifamily housing (including project-based section 8). HUD also makes data from the LIHTC program available through data licenses. Administrative data available represents elements collected via the Form HUD-50058, Form HUD-50058 MTW, Form HUD-50059 (private project-based tenant form), and LIHTC tenant form. A number of datasets exist for other HUD programs; however, these are not distributed via the data license agreement process at the moment. For more information regarding various HUD databases and appropriate contacts, please visit the HUD User Datasets webpage.

All research proposals should explicitly explain a justification for each data element requested. Please note that due to data quality concerns, data extracts for HUD administrative data are typically limited to the following years: 2003-one year prior to the current year. Data extracts will utilize HUD’s longitudinal file, a point-in-time estimate pulled on December 31st of each respective year. Extracts cover the prior 18 months and only contain the most recent transaction for a household.

Starting June 1 2017, a limited number of variables will be available for request from HUD administrative data. A data dictionary describing available household and member elements is posted to this webpage. HUD will consider additional data element requests on a limited, case-by-case basis; however, due to limited resources, requests may be redirected to the United States Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Center for Economic Studies.

**Please note that as of March 1st, 2017, all requests for data from the Family Options Study or the Moving to Opportunity for Fair Housing Study (MTO) must be submitted to the United States Department of Commerce, Census Bureau, Center for Economic Studies. HUD no longer accepts applications for data agreements for these datasets.

• To learn more about the data that Census Bureau has related to the Family Options Study and MTO, you can access that information here.
• To apply for use of these data, you can access the application process here.

Additional Information

For additional information, please contact DataLicense@hud.gov. Questions may also be submitted by mail to:

Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Research, Evaluation, and Monitoring
ATTENTION: Data License Agreement
451 Seventh Street, SW Room 8124
Washington, DC 20410