Apartment Trends Magazine March 2020 | Page 8

FROM THE PRESIDENT SCOTT KIRKWOOD | GRIFFIS BLESSING What You Need to Know About the 2020 Census L andlords have certain legal duties to assist with the Census and it is also in our industry’s best interest to help.  The data collected will determine how approximately $675 billion in federal funding is distributed each year for things like housing assistance, infrastructure, and public transportation.  It also determines Colorado’s level of representation with the federal government. Colorado has experienced massive population growth - an estimated 516,000 people - over the last ten years, but this won't be known until the Census is completed. Consequently, it is particularly important for the state to receive proper credit and funding for each new person in Colorado. A landlord is required to cooperate with persons collecting federal census information.  The cooperation is twofold. Counting everyone in your household can shape your future. • Every 10 years, the United States counts everyone living in the country on April 1, regardless of their nationality or living situation. This includes renters. • First, the landlord must provide access to the building or complex to allow the U.S. Census Bureau representative to visit units/apartments that have not self-responded.  The landlord should require proper identifi cation from the offi cial. If you suspect fraud, immediately call 1-800- 923-8282. Second, the landlord should provide the names of all known occupants in the apartment. The landlord should pair the names of the occupants with the specifi c unit occupied.  To ensure an accurate count, remember to: Count every person living or staying in your home. Respond at the address where you were living or staying on April 1, 2020. What’s in it for me? The 2020 Census is an opportunity to create a better future for our communities and the next generation by providing an up-to-date count of our population. The data collected will help determine how over $675 billion in federal funding is distributed each year for things like housing assistance, infrastructure, and public transportation. The specifi c legal citation to the United States Code is Section 223 of Title 13, which provides as follows: For more information, visit: Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, . . . to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department [Commerce] or bureau [Census], so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in [this law], including, when relevant to the census or survey being taken or made, the proper and correct Census enumeration of all persons having their usual place of abode in such premises, shall be fi ned not more than $5,000.00 2020CENSUS.GOV D-OP-RE-EN-121 RESOURCES We are encouaraging all property management companies to print out fl yers (like the one above) and utilize video PSAs to distribute to your residents so they understand the importance of the Census. The resources are available at www.aamdhq.org/census2020 6 | TRENDS MARCH 2020 www.aamdhq.org