Question 1: The dwelling is:
A dwelling is any space defined by walls and ceilings in which one or more persons permanently reside, i.e., it is where persons live, prepare food and find protection from the elements. They can go in and out of the space without going through another dwelling, and have direct access from the street or through public courtyards, hallways or stairways.
a) Private dwelling [vivienda particular]
This is an enclosure intended to be used as the living space [habitación] of one person or a group of persons who make up one or various households. The dwelling may be an independent house [casa independiente], an apartment, a room in a house, a room in a tenement, a hut, an improvised dwelling, a premise not intended for human habitation, or other (mobile dwelling, tent, etc.)
Independent house [casa independiente]:
This dwelling has direct access to the street, is constructed of durable materials, and is generally located in a structure. It may be separate from or joined to other dwellings and has its own sanitary service, bathroom and kitchen. Enumerate the dwelling regardless of whether or not it is occupied or unoccupied at the time of the census.
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Apartment:
This is a dwelling constructed of durable materials. It makes up part of a building of one or more floors that contains two or more dwellings. It has access to the street through a hallway or stairwell. Enumerate it even if it is unoccupied.
Room in a house:
This is a dwelling that is part of a structure built of durable materials and that may have two or more bedrooms [recintos habitacionales], and common sanitary service, bathroom and kitchen for all dwellings in the structure. Access to the street may be through hallways or spaces considered as public spaces by its occupants.
Room in a tenement [pieza en mesón]:
This is a dwelling that forms part of a structure containing at least four habitation units [unidades habitacionales]. It is built of durable materials and the sanitary services, bathrooms and kitchen are used in common by all dwellings in the tenement. It is generally a single room having access to the street from a courtyard or hallway.
Hut or shack [rancho o choza]:
This is a building constructed of bamboo, palm, leaf, grass or other vegetable matter. It is generally found in rural areas. Do not include those used only occasionally or situated by the beach in this category.
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Improvised house:
This is any building made of discarded material such as pieces of wood, old laminate, cardboard, etc., and that does not meet constructions standards. It must be occupied to be enumerated. It is located mainly in marginal communities in urban areas and sometimes in rural areas. Those that are abandoned are not included in the census.
Premise not intended for human habitation:
This is a premise constructed of durable materials that was not adapted or converted to be used as a dwelling, but which is used as such at the time the census takes place. This type of dwelling may partially or totally occupy stables, workshops, offices, warehouses, etc.
Other:
Include any premise used as a dwelling not included in the previous categories, such as mobile dwellings, tents, railcars, caves, boats, etc.
Homeless:
Mark this option when you come across a person or group of persons who have no housing and who live in doorways/entryways; church vestibules; under bridges; in parks; in homeless shelters [dormitories públicos]; etc. Remember to go to section VI, "Information about persons in the household" if you choose this option.
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b) Institutional dwelling
This is a premise or building where a group of persons without family ties lives and shares for reasons of accommodation, age, orphan status, etc. The following are included in this category: homes for children or orphanages, retirement homes, jails, guest houses or boarding houses, boarding schools, etc.
Home for children or orphanage:
This is a premise or building where a group of persons without family ties lives and shares for reasons of accommodation or status as orphans.
Retirement home:
This is the place in which elderly adults are permanently lodged. Enumerate it as an individual dwelling for the administrative personnel who live permanently in a special premise, either alone or with their families.
Jail/prison:
This is a premise in which imprisoned people are found. For the purposes of the census, only enumerate those who are imprisoned for more than six months.
Guest house or student boarding house [pupilaje]:
This is any dwelling that has more than five boarders, who are generally students, and that is run by the owner of the dwelling, who provides food, cleaning and in some cases even laundry service.
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Juvenile correctional facility:
This is a place for the re-education and social reintegration of minors younger than 18 whose right to freedom has been suspended by a conviction under the Minor Offenders Law.
Convent or boarding school:
This is a premise where groups of person who come together for reasons of religion or academic study, and who have no family ties, reside permanently. These premises are commonly run by monks, priests or brothers of a congregation.
Barracks:
This is any premise occupied by persons belong to the armed forces. For the census, only enumerate persons who reside permanently in these premises.
Other: This category includes all institutional housing not included in the previous categories, such as homes for children, homes for adolescents, brothels, shelters, etc.
Remember that only the following information is collected when enumerating institutional dwellings:
- Geographic localization (chapter I)
- Information about members of the dwelling (chapter VI)