U.S. Census Bureau / HUD
U.S. federal government statistical agencies (non-ideological data publishers)
Background
The Census Bureau dates to the first U.S. census in 1790 and became a permanent agency in 1902. It is now part of the Commerce Department. HUD was created in 1965 as a cabinet department. Their joint monthly releases, such as New Residential Sales and New Residential Construction, report housing starts, permits, and sales. The Census Bureau produces the statistics, and HUD co-issues them under its own press-release numbers. Releases in 2026 have continued on a regular schedule, for example sales for January through July and construction for August and September. Under the second Trump administration, the Census Bureau has faced pressure on staffing and leadership. Director Robert Santos resigned in February 2025, and Ron Jarmin served as acting director until a Commerce political appointee, George Cook, was named acting director that September. Reported staffing fell about 15% from FY24, and the FY2026 budget request proposed a lower staffing level and reduced purchasing power for current surveys. Statistical groups have warned that data quality could suffer as a result. The data series are produced with established statistical methods, and the releases include margins of error and revisions. Critics' concerns focus on resources and independence rather than on the content of the housing releases. HUD's accompanying press statements can reflect the administration's policy priorities.
Sources
- HUD and Census Bureau Report New Residential Sales in July 2026
- Monthly New Residential Sales, July 2026 (Census Bureau)
- New Residential Construction, July 2026 (Census Bureau)
- Overview of FY2026 Budget Request for the Census Bureau (CRS)
- Census Bureau FY2026 Congressional Budget Submission
- Census Bureau Executive Leadership
Profile compiled 2026-10-19; refreshed when ownership, funding, or the administration changes.