=+31. Homeowners. In 2012, the Gallup Poll reported that only 62% of American families owned their homes, the lowest percentage reported in a decade. Census data reveal that the ownership rate in one small city is even lower.

The city council is debating a plan to offer tax breaks to first-time home buyers in order to encourage people to become homeowners. They decide to adopt the plan on a 2-year trial basis and use the data they collect to make a decision about continuing the tax breaks. Since this plan costs the city tax revenues, they will continue to use it only if there is strong evidence that the rate of home ownership is increasing.