The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, United Way of King County and King County recently launched the We’re Here. We Count.campaign to promote participation in the 2020 Census in King County, particularly in historically undercounted communities.
The campaign was created in partnership with and with input from more than 20 organizations serving communities of color, people experiencing homelessness, Native people, children, and immigrants and refugees—populations that are often undercounted.
Counting people through the census determines where federal funding is distributed for the next ten years for things like schools, affordable housing, hospitals and public transportation. The count also determines how many representatives Washington state will have in Congress.
“For fair representation and our fair share in resources, it’s imperative that every child, adult and senior be counted,” said Michelle Merriweather, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. “Each person counted provides the opportunity for more equitable and affordable housing, healthcare, childcare and other vital resources for our community.”
“King County is proud to be one of the most diverse communities in the nation, and this team of partners will help ensure the Census accurately reflects everyone who calls this county home,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.
The centerpiece of the campaign is the wecountkingcounty.org website for organizations conducting on-the-ground outreach in historically undercounted communities. The site features a variety of posters, flyers, brochures and digital banners that organizations can use for direct outreach, customized with their logos. The site also includes a toolkit on how to use the materials and best practices for reaching community members, as well as an FAQ and more.
“We know that front line agencies work hard every day in our community, and they are the critical link to make sure that everyone is counted,” said Gordon McHenry, Jr., president and CEO of United Way of King County. “Only when we have an accurate picture of the community will we be able to best address our needs.”
At launch, the site includes materials in English; more languages will be added in the weeks ahead.
Beginning March 12, people will receive letters by mail with instructions on how to complete the census. This is the first year where people are being encouraged to complete the census online, though options to complete it by mail, by phone or in-person are also available. People experiencing homelessness will be able to complete it in places like shelters, libraries, food pantries or tent camps.
In King County, 49 census tracts across 13 cities have been identified as potentially at-risk for undercount. These are areas where response rates to the 2010 census were 73 percent or less. In those communities, 62 percent of residents identify as people of color.
Among the organizations contributing to We’re Here. We Count.are APACE, CAIR-WA, Casa Latina, Child Care Resources, Children’s Alliance, City of Seattle, Eastside Refugee and Immigrant Coalition, Entre Hermanos, Hopelink, North Urban Human Services, Philanthropy Northwest, REACH, Refugee Women’s Alliance, Seattle Foundation, Seattle Indian Health Board, Statewide Poverty Action Network, Washington Census Alliance and YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish.
