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CENSUS 2020
BP Adams Emphasizes Need to #MakeBrooklynCount Amid Low Response
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rooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Brooklyn community stakeholders emphasized the importance that all Brooklyn households be responders in the 2020 Census. Brooklyn’s response rate of 24.3 percent as of Tuesday, March 31st placed Kings County in fifth out of the five boroughs in current responses, with key neighborhoods throughout the borough falling further behind. Tracts in Williamsburg only saw responses of 4.3 percent, 9.8 percent, 12 percent, and 14.7 percent, while other tracts in neighborhoods like Cypress Hills and Brownsville saw response rates of 13.5 percent and 14.2 percent, respectively. April 1st is recognized nationally as Census Day, the representative day when we count all Americans across US communities. The US Census data collected every 10 years is aggregated to inform how we divide billions of government funding and political representation between states, counties, and neighborhoods. “I’m proud of my family, I’m proud of my neighborhood, I’m proud of being from Brooklyn,” said Borough President Adams. “If we are all proud to be from Brooklyn, then we need to show that with a high Census response rate. In 2010, Brooklyn missed out on millions in funding for our hospitals, schools, and much more since Brooklyn households didn’t respond. Now in 2020, as of today, we’re behind the other four New York City boroughs in our online and phone self-responses. We win by showing we’re present and counted.” There is no question that the 2020 Census effort in Brooklyn has faced unprecedented challenges due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the middle of March. “Our community-based organizations, places of worship, schools, housing developments, and local elected officials were planning hundreds of local events in March and April to get the community excited and educated about the Census response process,” commented Pastor Gil Monrose and Linnea Cederberg, leaders of the Brooklyn Complete Count Committee, charged with organizing the borough’s community-based outreach. Those in-person efforts have been put on hold indefinitely. While social distancing has halted inperson outreach, Brooklyn organizations are creatively galvanizing online outreach instead, with the goal of giving people the key information to complete their Census form in a safe manner from home. For example, text-a-thons using the Hustle platform allow volunteers to text Brooklynites reminding them to fill out the Census form. The NAACP is hosting a virtual Census block party, and Brooklyn Community Services is adding Census education to its wellness checks with clients conducted via phone. Representative Yvette Clarke commented that, “The Census sits at the heart
of all government activity. We all understand that the public health response to COVID-19 will complicate the task of conducting a complete count during this calendar year. In light of this fact we must collectively choose to do the hard work to meet the moment together or allow this challenge to overtake us all.” Census expert and Brooklyn Complete Count Committee member Jeff Wice noted, “Brooklyn needs an accurate census count now more than ever. With a current census household response rate of 24.3 percent, Brooklyn has already fallen behind the other boroughs and the state response rate of 31.1 percent. We are not going to have another chance to set the numbers straight for millions of Federal dollars for health care, education, transportation, and so many other critical programs. Let’s make Brooklyn count 100 percent right now!” “Let’s get Muslims counted, every Muslim counts, it’s about getting our fair share of resources, representation, funding, and much more. Census 2020 is the right opportunity for our community to get our numbers straight,” said Erum Hanif, chief executive officer of APNA Brooklyn. “Now more than ever, it is so important for our communities to receive the funding and representation that we deserve. We encourage every Brooklynite to stand up and be counted today to #MakeBrooklynCount 100 percent!” said Cecilia Clarke, president and CEO of Brooklyn Community Foundation. “Now more than ever, IMPACCT Brooklyn needs to have Federal funds to continue to provide VITAL housing services to our Brooklyn communities. Funding to preserve affordable housing, funding to help our most vulnerable homeless population, and to help stabilize small businesses.” said Lynn Rutledge, outreach and community engagement lead for IMPACCT Brooklyn. “The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York is proud to partner with Brooklyn Borough Hall and faith community leaders across Brooklyn to
get Brooklyn counted in Census 2020. It is only through a united effort to reach every person in Brooklyn that we can ensure we have the vital resources needed for the next decade,” said Dori Zofan, MSW, director of Jewish Communal Affairs, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of New York. “The massive mobilization of public resources to fight the COVID-19 epidemic across the country underscores the critical need for complete and accurate Census data in our local communities,” said Juan Rosa, northeast director of civic engagement for NALEO Educational Fund. “NALEO Educational Fund is proud to partner with Borough President Adams and the Brooklyn Complete Count Committee to encourage Brooklyn residents to participate in the 2020 Census while they are observing ‘NY on PAUSE’ rules and recommendations. NALEO Educational Fund will continue operating our toll-free national Census bilingual hotline at (877) EL-CENSO (877-352-3676), Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM ET to answer questions and provide additional information about participation in the 2020 Census.” “During these challenging times, the
YMCA of Greater New York encourages everyone to fill out the 2020 Census to help our communities,” said Sharon Greenberger, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York. “Now more than ever, we must do our part to get the critical resources and funding our communities deserve. This 2020 Census will shape the future of our hospitals, schools, and more. Let’s show that New York counts.” Borough President Adams and the Brooklyn Complete Count Committee reiterated that completing the 10 Census questions can be done from home and takes less than 10 minutes. Households should go online (using a unique code from a previous mailer if possible) or call (844) 330-2020 to fill it out verbally. The form and phone call are offered in multiple languages and the US Census Bureau will only follow-up via phone if an online form is submitted without the unique code. Earlier today, Borough President Adams posted a “Census selfie” video on his Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts; he has been sharing similar content from members of his staff in recent days and has encouraged all Brooklynites to follow suit using the hashtag #MakeBrooklynCount.l
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