City aims to close gap in census response

NEW HAVEN — On average, fewer than half of the city’s residents have filled out their information for the 2020 census count.

But given the complication of the coronavirus pandemic, city officials are not worried yet.

Also, likely a reflection of the digital divide, the more affluent neighborhoods are showing a

higher percentage responding digitally.

Mayor Justin Elicker, in one of his regular contacts with residents, urged them to take care of the census obligation now by either mailing back the form, calling in the answers on the phone or going on the internet to fill it the form.

At this point, 48.7 percent of residents have responded. The more accurate the count, the better the city will do in terms of the federal dollars distributed based on population.

He again reminded people that the information is confidential and that it cannot be shared with law enforcement, immigration officials or landlords.

“If you are a resident but not a citizen, you should still fill out the census. If you’re like me, you sometimes procrastinate. Let’s just get it done right now. Call the number, hop online, or fill out that form,” he said in his message.

To fill it out online, go to www.2020census.gov; by phone, call 844-330-2020, or mail back the form sent to each household in the spring.

Karolina Ksiazek, Complete Count program manager and a consultant for the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, said last month that the city receives roughly $3,000 for every resident who completes a form.

“I hope once things open up we’ll be able to meet them where they are,” she said last month during a census caravan event. “This is the easiest way to get almost $3,000 more for your community.”

Keith Lawrence, the assistant director of comprehensive planning in New Haven, is one of the key figures that has been working on the issue, along with help from the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven and other partners.

There is a tool that breaks down the response by census tracts, which approximates neighborhoods and the percentage of selfreporting at this point.

Westville shows the highest numbers, with 72.1 percent responding to the census, of which 65.2 percent used the internet. It is the same percentage in the selfresponse category reported a decade ago in 2010.

For the Long Wharf area, only 35.2 percent have reported to the census bureau, with 10.2 percent using the internet. Lawrence said it is however, a sparsely settled area with companies versus residences.

In the southern part of Fair Haven the percentage is 37.6 percent; northeast around Grand Avenue is 40.8 percent; western section of Fair Haven is also low at 34 percent. The Hill is just over 40 percent; West River is 40.8 percent; Edgewood is 41 percent; Dwight is 44 percent; Dixwell improves dramatically to 57.8 percent with 64 percent for East Rock and 57 percent for the Edwards Street area. Newhallville has 38 percent with 49 percent for Beaver Hills. The East Shore has 66 percent.

Lawrence said it is a window into which households have internet connectivity, among other factors.

Lawrence said this month they will run another car caravan in the neighborhoods on July 10 in the Hill and Dwight to stir up interest and also provide in-person help for people to fill out the census at events.

The problem has been the pandemic where people are asked to socially distance and not congregate. With those rules easing, it will be easier to assist people in the neighborhoods with the doorto-door contact set to start on Aug. 11.

The tracking tool will show where there are still gaps in responses by neighborhood.

“We will get a big boost once the door knocking starts,” Lawrence said. He said the full count census committee, with a working group of about 12 people, has been working hard for several months now.

Lawrence said the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven is the main partner, particularly Caprice Mendez and Karolina Ksiazek from that group. A key resident who has been helpful is Addie Kimbrough of Newhallville and the Community Action Agency.