Census 2020 is our opportunity to shape the future. EVERY person, regardless of immigration status, who resides in the U.S. should be counted and thus represented. Census participation ensures that our community will receive access to federal funding for public education, housing, infrastructure, healthcare, congressional representation, votes in the electoral college and more!
The stakes are high for the Census 2020. For New Yorkers, ensuring an accurate count is particularly important. In the 2010 census, New York lost two congressional seats and missed out on significant federal funding to support critical social services. Another undercount of our population, particularly of immigrant communities and communities of color, poses a serious threat to to our democracy.
Police violence and other abuses of power we are protesting right now are a direct outcome of Black communities being undercounted and underrepresented at every level of government for generations. If we want to make Black lives matter in public policy, we have to ensure Black people count on the census. Census data are used to make decisions about how money and power are shared in our society, so when Black communities are undercounted, the resources and representation our communities deserve are sent to more privileged communities instead.
F.Y. Eye is building awareness, urgency and confidence in the 2020 Census to make sure New York gets its fair share of federal funding and congressional representation.
Note about COVID-19: The Census Bureau is carefully monitoring the situation and will follow the guidance of federal, state and local health authorities. It has never been easier to respond on your own, whether online, over the phone or by mail—all without having to meet a census taker. The Census Bureau is encouraging everyone to respond online as soon as you receive your invitation with the provided instructions to go online.
Right now, New York City is facing a severe undercount. In addition to the NYC residents who have not yet completed the census, the undercount is due in part to residents who mistakenly filled out the census form using an address outside of NYC where they were temporarily sheltering due to COVID-19. If you have already filled out the census but believe you have made a mistake, you can fill it out again online. Learn more here.