In 2020, the United States will take another census to get a look at population. A count committee is being formed right now in Arkansas.
In years past, thousands of Arkansans fell off the grid and were unaccounted for. Local federally-funded organizations in the state hope for a more accurate count because they rely on the census for allocation of millions of dollars.
"The need in our community is beyond that of which we are currently able to meet,” said Ben Goodwin, executive director of Our House.
Our House is just one of many nonprofits that receives federal funding. The organization helps to get homeless people back on their feet by providing numerous support services.
“On a monthly basis, There's about 200 people trying to check into our shelter, but can't because we are full,” said Goodwin.
Our House receives just under 25 percent in federal funds, but those dollars are a key player to keep services alive and growing.
Without it, Goodwin said the organization would have to take a step back in meeting the community's homeless assistance needs.
"But, with additional funding from many sources including federal funding, we'll be able to grow and achieve full potential of growth and expansion to serve more people and make a deeper impact,” he said.
Goodwin’s looking to the future, hoping for an appropriate Census count in 2020.
"It's a lot of money that could come in,” said Pam Willrodt, senior demographer with the Arkansas Economic Development Institute.“Think about things like food stamps, WIC for our moms, school lunches, transportation.”
Willrodt said on a per-capita basis, the calculation done by George Washington University, is just over $2,500 per person.
So, the larger the population, the more funding the state receives.
Arkansas Census Count committees are forming, working to strategize ways to avoid a Census Undercount.
"In 2000 there was a big undercount,” said Willrodt.
That year, Arkansas faced an estimated loss of more than $17 million in funding. In 2010 the state bounced back, the undercount was reduced from 1.28 percent to 0.43 percent.
“The main idea of a complete count committee in my words is finding trusted voices in the community to spread the word about the Census, what it is and what it isn’t," Willrodt said.
Several factors play into an undercount including poverty rates, many rural areas, and according to Willrodt, the lack of trust.
“A bigger one we see is people worried about security of data,” she said. “Can the government other than the Census Bureau get that data and use it against me, the answer is no. They cannot.”
For organizations like Our House, each dollar counts to help people thrive in our communities.
"It's really important that those programs remain strong. and are made stronger by an appropriate, accurate census count,” said Goodwin.
If you are interested in being a Census count committee member, you can contact the Arkansas Economic Development Institute.
Census Day is April 1, 2020.