CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

MAKING SURE YOU COUNT IN 2010

New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) residents and Section 8 Voucher Holders combined occupy 12.7% of the City's apartments and make up 7.9% of the City's population. NYCHA residents are such a significant part of the City's population. Therefore, we are doing everything we can to make sure that public housing residents and Section 8 Voucher holders are counted when Census time rolls around again in 2010.

Getting counted is easy. Just fill out the Census form when you receive it and mail it in. People of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens and non-citizens alike are to be counted.

There's no reason not to. By law, all personal information you provide on the Census questionnaire form is completely private and cannot be shared with anyone else (including the Housing Authority) or used outside of the Census Bureau. The information remains private for 72 years.

This Census is so important. The 2010 Census will determine how many people live in New York City, and how much funding the City will get from the federal government to improve schools and healthcare, fight crime, repair roads and support other critical City services. If the count is not accurate and people are undercounted, we'll be losing out on funds that we need for the City of New York and for you, New York City's residents.

An accurate Census account helps us in so many ways. In addition to providing financial resources, Census results provide the basis for redrawing State legislative and Congressional districts, so that you can better elect representatives who represent your concerns.

While the federal United States Census Bureau is responsible for administering the 2010 Census, given our City's size, diversity and complexity, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has appointed NYCHA's former Chief of Staff, Stacey Cumberbatch as the City Census Coordinator. Ms. Cumberbatch is working with City agencies to raise public awareness about the upcoming 2010 Census and its importance to the City, as well as to encourage full participation in the count by all New Yorkers.

I'm also pleased to add that NYCHA is the first City agency to formally support this important effort by providing the City's Census Coordinator's Office with a staff person who will work with NYCHA, the City Census Coordinator and the U.S. Regional Census in these efforts.

The United States Constitution mandates that the number of people living in the United States gets counted every ten years. So, if you aren't counted this year, there won't be a chance to make that right for another decade. Please make sure you are counted and ensure that the population of New York City, including all residents of the New York City Housing Authority, is accurately represented. New York City needs your cooperation.