The city of West Hollywood is continuing its urgent call for residents to “Be Counted West Hollywood” in the 2020 census.

The United States Census Bureau has announced that counting will cease on Sept. 30. Currently, the response rate for households in the state of California is approximately 68%; the response rate for households in the city of West Hollywood is approximately 63%, an increase of just three percentage points since last month. Nearly four in 10 people in West Hollywood still have not taken the census, but it is not too late to do so.

Community members who have not yet completed the census can quickly and easily fill it out in approximately five minutes online at census.ca.gov. The simple survey is nine questions long, and census responses shape determinations for vital funding for the community through the year 2030.

The census form is available to complete online in 13 languages. Community members may also respond by phone in one of 13 languages at one of the phone numbers listed on the website census.ca.gov/2020/03/12/californians-receive-invitations-to-participate-in-2020-census.

The United States Constitution mandates that a complete national population count be conducted every 10 years. The 2020 Census will decide how billions of federal dollars are distributed in California.

The city of West Hollywood is working to ensure that community members continue to access important services such as care in health clinics, seniors programs, LGBTQ services, food programs and assistance to people who are experiencing homelessness by encouraging participation in the 2020 Census. Census data will additionally be used to allocate funding for road maintenance and improvements and public transit initiatives.

An undercount could impact funding for schools, health services, child care, emergency services and many other programs. The census will also decide the number of California’s Congressional members and Electoral College votes.

Information collected as part of the 2020 Census cannot be shared with or by other governmental agencies, including ICE or any law enforcement agency.

In December, the Census Bureau will deliver apportionment counts to the president and Congress as required by law. By March 31, 2021, the Census Bureau will send redistricting counts to states. This information is used to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.

Visit weho.org/census2020.