The data on meals included in the rent were obtained from Housing Question 17b in the 2018 American Community Survey (ACS). The question was asked of occupied housing units that were rented and vacant housing units that were for rent or rented but not yet occupied at the time of enumeration. These data only include rental units, which meals are included in the rent, or if occupants contract for either their meals or a meal plan in order to live in the unit. Renters in continuing care or life facilities are included in this category if their contracts cover meal services.
The meals included in rent allows for a measurement on the amount of congregate housing within the housing inventory. Congregate housing is considered to be housing units where the rent includes meals and other services.
Question/Concept History
Since 1996, the American Community Survey questions have been the same. Starting in 2004, meals included in rent is shown for all renter-occupied housing units. In previous years (1996-2003), it was shown only for specified renter- occupied housing units.
Comparability
Data on meals included in rent in the 2018 ACS should not be compared to Census 2000 meals included in rent data. For Census 2000, tables were not released for total renter-occupied units. The universe in Census 2000 was "specified renter-occupied housing
units" whereas the universe in the ACS is "renter occupied housing units," thus comparisons cannot be made between these two data sets.
