As you all know, this year is a census year, and the entire population of New Haven will be counted this April. In the past decade after our last census, New Haven lost $30 million in federal funding for homeless shelters, hospitals, etc. due to the undercount in 2000, and each person who isn't counted in New Haven costs the city around $9,600 in city services. 

Not only have Yale students been severely undercounted (we had about 30% reporting in 2000), but there are many populations within New Haven that have been historically undercounted as well. This year, the Mayor's Office has brought together a task force to work on getting New Haven counted this year for the census, and they have asked for help from Yale student groups in reaching out to various parts of the New Haven community.

Your groups serve as Yales strongest connection to the New Haven community, and we would greatly appreciate your help in getting the word out that the census is happening this year. We are planning an informational/organizational meeting led by April Lawson, Director of Census Planning for the City of New Haven, this Friday at 11:00am in the Dwight Hall Library - please attend if your group would be willing to participate in the Yale student effort this year.

We look forward to seeing you there!