Title
Adoption of Resolution in Support of the 2020 Census. (Community Development)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A census headcount of the United States population is conducted every ten years. The decennial census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution and every person-regardless of age, race, ethnic group, citizenship, and immigration status-must be counted. Getting a complete and accurate count has important implications on the state’s legislative representation, school districting, and local planning and funding of programs and services. It is therefore critical for local jurisdictions, like the City of Alameda (City), to assist in getting a complete and accurate count of every resident in the City. To this end, staff is recommending that the City Council adopt a resolution in support of the efforts to get a complete and accurate count of Alameda’s population for the 2020 Census.
BACKGROUND
The U.S. Constitution mandates a headcount every ten years of everyone living in the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Island Areas of the United States. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens, and noncitizens. Title 13 of the U.S. Code protects all information collected in the census and the Census Bureau never shares respondents’ personal information with immigration enforcement agencies, law enforcement, or social service agencies for the purposes of determining eligibility for public programs.
The information gathered from the census is used in a number of important ways. The population total from the census determines the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. States also use the totals to redraw their legislative and school districts.
The population totals gathered from the census determine the distribution of over $675 billion annually in federal funds that go to tribal, state, and local governments. At the community level, census information is used for planning, designing, and implementing a number of federally funded programs, including social services, emergency response, and transportation. Alameda County estimates that an undercount costs $1,928 per person per year in lost federal funding, a portion of which goes to local jurisdictions in the form of services and programs. This translates to over $1.65 billion over the next ten years in lost federal revenues if the county’s population is undercounted by five percent.
Census data is also an important tool is determining areas eligible for housing assistance and rehabilitation loans, and in designing facilities for people with disabilities, the elderly, and children. Getting a complete and accurate count of the City’s population is critical. The City Council can help ensure that every person in the City is counted by supporting local efforts and activities in preparation for the 2020 Census.
DISCUSSION
The 2020 Census presents significant challenges to obtaining an accurate count. For example, the 2020 Census will be the first digital census. Instead of the traditional paper form, a majority of the population will be asked to self-respond by taking the Census on-line. There may be a lack of trust in the government or concerns with data security, which could depress the count. Finally, the proposed citizenship question may inhibit many from taking the census out of fear that the data may be used to target certain populations or in protest of the question being asked.
On September 27, 2018, a representative the U.S. Census Bureau made a presentation to the Social Service Human Relations Board (Board), which provided an overview of the census and urged the Board to support the establishment of a local Complete Count Committee (CCC). Establishing a CCC is one way local jurisdictions can assist with ensuring a complete and accurate count of the population. CCCs are comprised of community leaders and local influencers who can help educate and encourage participation in the census.
In March 2018, Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft officially launched the City’s CCC and formed a Steering Committee comprised of leaders throughout the community. Planning for a citywide kickoff event is underway to bring individuals and families together to energize them about participating in the census and recruit community members to participate in various subcommittees in order to reach “hard-to-count” groups on the island. The Census Bureau considers immigrants and foreign-born, non-English speaking individuals over the age of 14, persons who are unemployed, individuals without a permanent home, ethnic and minority populations, densely populated communities with multi-unit and public assistance housing, and Native American and Tribal populations as “hard-to-count” groups in the City. The City also has populations that are unique to our community, such as residents of Coast Guard Island, Alameda Point, and houseboats that are at-risk of being undercounted. It is therefore incumbent upon community leaders and trusted representatives who are connected with our residents to get everyone involved and counted. Adopting a resolution supporting a complete count for the 2020 Census will assist in efforts to ensure that everyone in the City is counted.
ALTERNATIVES
There are many obstacles to getting a complete count of the population in the 2020 Census. Local efforts to reach residents, especially those who are hard-to-count, are vital to getting a complete and accurate count of the City’s population. By adopting this resolution, the City Council demonstrates its commitment to supporting local efforts to get Alamedans counted. An undercount of our City’s population will have fiscal, political, and programmatic repercussions.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Adopting this resolution has no financial impact on the City.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the SSHRB Charter and Ordinance authority “to improve social services in the community” (Alameda Municipal Code Section 2-11.5) and the 2018 Report on Homelessness Policies and Programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15601(b)(3).
CLIMATE IMPACTS
Adopting this resolution has no climate impact.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Alameda in Support of the 2020 Census.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends adoption of the Resolution in support of the 2020 Census.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Director
By:
Ana Bagtas, Community Development Analyst
Financial impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager