LEAD Filipino with LUCA!
On the morning of May 12th, members of our organizing team: ranging from currently enrolled college students to young working professionals, assisted the City of San Jose in their LUCA (Local Update of Census Addresses) process. We did this by identifying non-traditional housing units in the Castlemont neighborhood of San Jose, to ensure that these addresses receive their questionnaires and are counted in our nation’s Census.
Our two teams successfully canvassed the neighborhood within the time period we were given. As we get closer to the 2020 Census, the members of our diverse team look forward in ensuring proper representation for all of our Bay Area residents.
Our group has been working with the City of San Jose in participating in the process leading up to the 2020 census. The City of San Jose has generously worked with local non-profits such as LEAD Filipino to effectively reach out to our respective communities. One of the most important tasks of this process is the updating of addresses.
Why is the Census important?
The Census, mandated by the United States’ Constitution every 10 years, is extremely important in providing information regarding the trajectory of our population growth, demographic information of our various communities, and the apportionment of our Congressional districts. Since Congressional Districts are determined by population; the Census provides a clear opportunity to ensure that our communities are well-represented in our nation’s capital.
During the last Census in 2010, the City of San Jose underreported its population at an estimated 70,000 residents. An estimated yearly loss of $20 million in Federal Funding can be attributed to this underreporting in the City’s population. Over that 10-year period, an estimated $200 million in funds that could have potentially gone towards vital services such as schools, parks and other community programs never materialized.
One of the leading factors that the City of San Jose experienced with this undercounting was the difficulty associated with non-traditional housing units (in-laws, add-ons, converted garages, trailers and tiny homes built on larger lots).
If you are interested in volunteering/training with LEAD Filipino around our community’s Census efforts – including attending public input meetings, educational workshops, and better understanding the importance of the Census, please contact us!
Sugod Mga Kababayan!
Kevin Suarez
LEAD Filipino
