Residence-Related
Should I count people who do not live or stay here most of the time?
No - include only those people who live or stay there most of the time. If the person has no other permanent place to stay and will be there on April1, 2010, you should count the person.
If no one lives at the address the form was mailed to, enter a zero in question 1 for the number of people. Do not mark any other items. Then, mail back the questionnaire in the enclosed prepaid envelope.
How does the Census Bureau count people without a permanent residence?
Census Bureau workers undertake extensive operations to take in-person counts of people living in group quarters, such as prisons, jails, college dormitories, military barracks, nursing homes and shelters, as well as those who have been displaced by natural disasters. See the Where Do I Get Counted section for more information.
Will the Census Bureau collect information on people experiencing homelessness?
Yes, the Census Bureau will count those experiencing homelessness in an operation called Service-Based Enumeration (SBE). The SBE was designed to provide an opportunity for people experiencing homelessness to be included in the Census, by counting them at service-based locations. Service-based locations include emergency and transitional shelters for people experiencing homelessness, soup kitchens, regularly scheduled mobile food vans, and pre-identified outdoor locations.
Be Counted forms will also be available at various locations throughout the community for people who believe they have not been counted.
What if this address is not a residence or home?
If there is an apartment, mobile home, room or group of rooms where people live or stay at this address, then a household member who is at least 15 years of age can fill out and return the questionnaire by mail in the postage-paid envelope provided.
If the address is non-residential, that is, if people do not live or stay at that address, then do not complete the questionnaire. A Census worker will visit to verify that the address is nonresidential and remove the address from the census. If you receive additional letters or forms in the mail, simply ignore them.
What if there is more than one housing unit at the same address but the apartment number is not shown on the form?
If the unit designation (i.e. apartment number) is not on the form, please complete and send in the form for one of the housing units. You may call Telephone Questionnaire Assistance at 1-866-872-6868 for any other units that did not receive a questionnaire and request a form for each one. (If you need assistance in Spanish dial 1-866-928-2010.) The lines will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (your local time) seven days a week from February 25, 2010 through July 30, 2010.
For the hearing-impaired, dial 1-866-783-2010 (during the times noted above).
Are people living in group quarters included in the Census?
Yes, people living in group quarters such as prisons, jails, college residence halls, group homes, and skilled nursing facilities will be counted. During April and May of 2010, Census staff will visit group quarters to count the population who were at the facility on April 1, 2010.
How will dormitories and residence halls be counted?
College dormitories and residence halls are considered Group Quarters, and will be enumerated during Group Quarters Enumeration (GQE) between April 1 - May 15, 2010. During the Group Quarters Validation (GQV) operation this fall, we will collect information about each GQ (contact person, name of facility, maximum number of persons that stay or live at the GQ, etc).
Prior to GQE, Local Census Offices will conduct a Group Quarters Advance Visit at each dormitory and residence hall to make final arrangements for the enumeration operation. This includes collecting ideal date and time for enumeration, setting an appointment date, and ensuring access to the facility. Dormitories will be enumerated via the use of Individual Census Reports (ICRs) provided to the students to fill out and return. Census enumerators will coordinate with the Residential Assistants and Housing Staff to distribute and collect the ICRs. We have the authority to request administrative record data from the school for those students who do not return their ICR.
The same procedures detailed above will apply to fraternity and sorority houses.
As to the privacy issues, all Title 13 data that is collected is certainly protected by the Census Bureau, and no one without sworn status is allowed to see it. In the event we need to obtain administrative record information, we will provide information to the school/dorm contact on our authority to get those data. Census enumeration procedures are in compliance with the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA).
What if the housing unit at the address is vacant on Census Day (April 1)?
If the housing unit is vacant on Census Day, then do not complete the form. A Census worker will visit the address and collect information from a knowledgeable respondent on the status of the unit. If you receive additional letters or forms in the mail, simply ignore them.
We are all visitors at this address. Should we fill out the form?
No, include only those people who live or stay there most of the time. But if you have no other permanent place to stay, you should fill out the form. If no one lives there most of the time, then enter a zero in question one for the number of people. Do not mark any other items, and return the form in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
Do I fill out the form if I am moving out before April 1, 2010, or if the unit will be vacant on April 1, 2010?
No, please do not complete the form. The census counts people where they live on April 1, 2010; look for a form to be delivered to your new address.
Where do I get counted if I am living in a temporary housing unit, or staying temporarily with family or friends?
You should get counted where you will be living on Census Day, April 1, 2010.
How do individuals in correctional institutions, including prisons, jails, detention centers, or halfway houses get counted?
Census Bureau workers undertake extensive operations to take in-person counts of people living in group quarters, such as in prisons, jails, detention centers, or halfway houses and get counted at the institution.
I have a newborn, do newborn babies get counted?
Newborn babies are counted at the residence in which they will be living.
How will migrant and seasonal farm workers get counted?
Migrant and seasonal farm workers get counted where they live and sleep most of the time if they report a residence otherwise they may get counted at the workers' camp where they stay most of the time. If you believe you were not counted, you can also pick up a Be Counted form available at various community locations.