APA InterACT, April 11, 2018
The U.S. Department of Commerce recently decided to include a new and untested citizenship question in the 2020 Census. Experts on both sides of the aisle have opposed the decision, as have APA and other organizations.
APA President Cynthia Bowen, AICP, recently wrote to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and expressed our belief that adding the citizenship question threatens planners’ ability to help citizens and policy makers in marginalized communities make choices necessary to address their biggest challenges: jobs, education, economic development, affordable housing, and poverty. Her letter urged the Secretary to reverse a decision that potentially undermines a full, fair, and comprehensive count.
“Not fully understanding the realities about where people actually live does not change that reality. It only undermines the ability of local leaders to make thoughtful, informed decisions,” wrote Ms. Bowen.
Please join APA and the Planners’ Advocacy Network in advocating for access to high-quality data.
Urge your representatives to safeguard the 2020 Census so planners and policy makers have the data they need to make well-informed local decisions; complete APA’s online form.