digital geographic data and technologies to support decision making at all scales for multiple purposes.

Finally, the popularization of the Internet in the last few years has revolutionized the concept and practice of NSDI and the related initiatives discussed above. The Internet allows cost-effective, user-oriented dissemination of data and information. It also enables user input and encourages online collaboration. On the other hand, Internet dissemination exacerbates some existing data concerns, such as confidentiality, privacy, and control.

As administrative data (e.g., local data on income tax, employment, and public assistance) are computerized and geographically referenced, and as spatially disaggregated data become standardized and available, privacy concerns will mount. Concerns include the possibility that the data and the developed indicators might be used for red-lining or otherwise stigmatizing troubled neighborhoods. These questions are growing in complexity and importance and deserve increased attention by federal agencies such as HUD. New technologies provide a means to address the need for both detailed, local data and for privacy and confidentiality concerns by allowing users to analyze disaggregated data without giving them case-by-case access. These are major challenges for agencies; nevertheless, full and effective participation in mandatory federal data initiatives demands attention to such questions. Efforts that HUD undertakes to meet FGDC standards will also benefit HUD’s internal efforts to collect, use, and disseminate information on urban and housing issues.

Conclusion: To participate fully with the FGDC and other federal data initiatives, HUD should develop an in-house, integrated data infrastructure. To provide reliable data and be consistent with the NSDI, data should be accurately described and assigned spatial definition (geo-referenced) according to the standards of the FGDC.

Recommendation: As a first step, HUD should meet federal data standards in all operations by:

• Participating fully in the FGDC and other federal initiatives to ensure that agency efforts are consistent with the development of the NSDI; and

• Supporting its program participants’ efforts to provide operational data in FGDC standard format and make these data available on the Internet along with other HUD data, subject to the limits of confidentiality.

Front Matter (R1-R14)

Executive Summary (1-16)

1. Introduction (17-28)

2. Ensuring the Availability, Accuracy, and Relevance of Urban and Housing Data (29-50)

3. Data Disseminaton and Software Tools (51-68)

4. Research and Policy Development (69-92)

5. The Role of Partnerships (93-106)

References (107-112)

Appendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members (113-118)

Appendix B: Workshop Agenda (119-122)

Appendix C: Other Contributors (123-126)

Appendix D: Acronym List (127-128)