Why Is the Census Important?
By Rey Camacho, Director of Real Estate Operations
As you’ve heard in the news and seen in your mailboxes, census time is here.
The census happens every ten years. It’s the official count of everyone living in the United States — with the population broken down by states, cities and communities. The U.S. Constitution requires the census every ten years. The first was in 1790.
The 2010 census will help make sure communities receive their fair share from the government in terms of funding and services.
Here are some example of how the census is used:
- The U.S. government will distribute more than $300 billion a year to states and communities based on census population information
- City officials use the census to determine where to create new schools, hospitals and senior centers
- The census determines how many members of Congress will represent New York
- Your local City Council, State Assembly and State Senate districts are determined by the census
The easiest way to participate in the census is to send back the form you received in the mail. And if you don’t have a chance to that, you can still be counted. Later this month census workers will go neighborhood-by-neighborhood and door-to-door to include anyone who didn’t have a chance to mail in the form.
Some people have asked if the census can be used by law enforcement. The answer is no.
The law about the census is very clear:
The government will not use census information for immigration purposes. Also, landlords (including Vantage) have absolutely no access to census information.
For further information about the census, read what Mayor Bloomberg recently had to say. You can also visit the official government site that describes the census.
The census is an important tool for making sure you get your fair share from the government. That’s why we hope you’ll participate.
Update: Click here to read Rey Camacho’s article about the census on The Huffington Post.
