PHOENIX
(Mel Melιndez, Arizona Republic) May 30,
2005 - Officials have
launched a bilingual marketing campaign that they hope will entice Hispanics
to participate in a mid-decade census that could save millions in state and
federal funding.
The Census Bureau conducts a demographic survey of the nation's residents every 10 years, but cities wanting to keep up with their growth can update population figures after five years. Maricopa County cities will mail surveys this fall to adjust the 2000 counts.
Updating the count in cities with large minority populations is critical because ethnic minorities, especially Hispanics and Blacks, are historically undercounted. An undercount can cost municipalities millions for programs such as Medicaid and foster care, which are funded based on the census numbers. The census also reallocates congressional seats based on population changes.
Hispanics, especially undocumented immigrants, have long been undercounted because of language barriers and the fear that their personal data will be shared with immigration officials.
In Phoenix, the issue hits close to home because about 37 percent of the city's 1.4 million residents are Hispanic, many of whom are undocumented. What's more, Proposition 200 has heightened many Hispanics' concerns. Approved in November, Proposition 200 requires proof of citizenship to vote and proof of legal residency to apply for certain government benefits.
"Prop. 200's effect has been chilling," said Rep. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, whose district encompasses Maryvale and sections of Glendale, Avondale, Tolleson and Cashion. "My district has a large immigrant population, and they're very fearful of answering questions."
About 27,000 of Phoenix's 600,000 households will be surveyed. The city is paying $1 million for the bilingual mail-in survey, which goes out Aug. 29. It will include a bilingual letter from Mayor Phil Gordon exhorting residents to complete and return it.
The city is also working with Telemundo, Univision and Spanish-language radio stations to get the word out, said Norris Nordvold, the city's intergovernmental affairs coordinator. Officials already project Phoenix likely will lose $20 million to $25 million in revenues beginning in July 2006 because growth has slowed.
"But if a lot of our folks don't return the survey, then we'll lose much more, because we'll have to go door to door, and that is always very costly," Nordvold said.
About 30 percent of south Phoenix residents participated in the 2000 census, compared with the city's overall 58 percent. Some areas in west Phoenix, including pockets in Maryvale, averaged only 10 percent participation.
Staff writer Ginger Richardson contributed to this article.
The Census Bureau conducts a demographic survey of the nation's residents every 10 years, but cities wanting to keep up with their growth can update population figures after five years. Maricopa County cities will mail surveys this fall to adjust the 2000 counts.
Updating the count in cities with large minority populations is critical because ethnic minorities, especially Hispanics and Blacks, are historically undercounted. An undercount can cost municipalities millions for programs such as Medicaid and foster care, which are funded based on the census numbers. The census also reallocates congressional seats based on population changes.
Hispanics, especially undocumented immigrants, have long been undercounted because of language barriers and the fear that their personal data will be shared with immigration officials.
In Phoenix, the issue hits close to home because about 37 percent of the city's 1.4 million residents are Hispanic, many of whom are undocumented. What's more, Proposition 200 has heightened many Hispanics' concerns. Approved in November, Proposition 200 requires proof of citizenship to vote and proof of legal residency to apply for certain government benefits.
"Prop. 200's effect has been chilling," said Rep. Steve Gallardo, D-Phoenix, whose district encompasses Maryvale and sections of Glendale, Avondale, Tolleson and Cashion. "My district has a large immigrant population, and they're very fearful of answering questions."
About 27,000 of Phoenix's 600,000 households will be surveyed. The city is paying $1 million for the bilingual mail-in survey, which goes out Aug. 29. It will include a bilingual letter from Mayor Phil Gordon exhorting residents to complete and return it.
The city is also working with Telemundo, Univision and Spanish-language radio stations to get the word out, said Norris Nordvold, the city's intergovernmental affairs coordinator. Officials already project Phoenix likely will lose $20 million to $25 million in revenues beginning in July 2006 because growth has slowed.
"But if a lot of our folks don't return the survey, then we'll lose much more, because we'll have to go door to door, and that is always very costly," Nordvold said.
About 30 percent of south Phoenix residents participated in the 2000 census, compared with the city's overall 58 percent. Some areas in west Phoenix, including pockets in Maryvale, averaged only 10 percent participation.
Staff writer Ginger Richardson contributed to this article.
