by Anna Babin, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Houston
If you could improve our entire community by answering 10 short questions in less than 10 minutes, would you do it? By completing and mailing back your Census form this month, you can help.
The Census is a constitutionally mandated count of all U.S. residents, citizens and non-citizens alike, and its findings are used to allocate federal and state funds, redraw legislative districts and determine representation in Congress.
As residents of Harris County, we need to receive the federal funding we deserve so that our communities are able to:
- Plan for public transportation
- Build roads and improve infrastructure
- Plan and seek funding in the event of future natural disasters
- Forecast future housing needs
- Draw school district boundaries, and more.
Additionally, United Way of Greater Houston relies on Census data to understand the demographics of certain communities and neighborhoods so we can make well informed investment decisions. Private charitable funding cannot address the multitude of needs in our community, but those dollars can create a dramatic impact when leveraged with federal and state funds.
A complete and accurate Census count is so important to the United Way that we have made financial investments in more than 20 local nonprofit organizations to help them host awareness events, conduct door-to-door outreach and spread the word to hard-to-reach populations. It is vital for everyone to understand that the 2010 Census is safe, easy and 100 percent confidential.
Harris County is currently the third most populous county in the nation and continues to grow rapidly. It is estimated the county lost more than $230 million in federal funds in the last decade because of undercounting in 2000. With so much money at stake for critical resources, our communities cannot afford an incomplete Census count.
Visit www.PowerinNumbersHarrisCounty.com for more information about the Harris County’s 2010 Census campaign and how you can get involved.
You can also follow the Harris County Census on Twitter at http://twitter.com/@hccensus2010 or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HarrisCountyCensus2010 to receive updates on Harris County’s
