infrastructure and housing development.  To date, however, the data most generally

collected are not suitable for estimation of  micro  (household level) demand functions.

In all the examples described above, there are insufficient data on household income,

loans, and financial characteristics; in addition, data from secondary sources, although

widely used for planning purposes, lack the  linked  nature necessary to multi variate

estimation.

6.0

MARKET RESEARCH AND MONITORING

In determining rent setting policies for municipal stock, municipalities are evaluating

housing and housing location characteristics based on local preference. Some

municipalities are also monitoring prices and costs of other stock in the local housing

market, obtaining cost data from local co operatives and, less often, from local developers

and recent sales information from the local courts. One city receives summary data

quarterly from the courts. This is a potentially rich source of sales data that has yet to be

tapped.

Formal market studies, when done, are usually carried out by the private sector. An

early market analysis/demand study was conducted by Polish American Home Builders

Institute in 1993 to assess the demand in the Tri City area for single family homes (study

available from USAID). A more recent analysis of housing demand in the Tri City area was

conducted for one of the largest local housing developers in the region. Other developers

have used focus groups to determine preferred housing characteristics.

Real estate brokerage companies and regional associations keep track of sales and

rental data, some developing housing type and locational charts on price per square meter

trends. Local newspapers may also regularly publish recent sales and rental trend

information on housing type and location.

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