Committee endorses county opt-in to California census outreach funds; staff given deadline to return opt‑in materials

The committee recommended that the county opt into California’s outreach program for the 2020 decennial census to access state outreach funds and coordinate local outreach to hard‑to‑count communities.

Bill Barnes of the City Administrator's Office said the state has made resources available to counties because the federal government is reducing support for local outreach; he said the city previously accepted about $100,000 for outreach and that the county is positioned to receive approximately $550,000 from the California Complete Count Fund to support nonprofits and community groups working with hard‑to‑count populations.

Adrienne Pahn, executive director of the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs, said San Francisco was one of the few California counties to meet or improve participation rates in 2010, a result she attributed to targeted community outreach and a 120‑person ground crew that reached public housing and Section 8 sites. Pahn warned that the 2020 census will be the first all‑digital count and cited digital access gaps (about 13 percent of residents without reliable online access) and fears in immigrant communities as challenges. She told the committee that the county must submit an opt‑in letter and final resolution to the state by Feb. 8, 2019 to be eligible for funds.

Supervisor Walton and other members asked about how local outreach coordinates with the U.S. Census Bureau and whether counts performed through local outreach will be credited; staff said enumeration is the Census Bureau’s responsibility and that the city’s role is outreach and encouragement. The Budget Analyst had no report; the committee moved the resolution to the full Board with a positive recommendation.