NLC COVID-19 Update: Achieve an Accurate Census Count

LEADERSHIP UPDATE

Colleagues,

I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing Labor Day weekend. On Monday, we honored our essential workers who made great sacrifices to keep our communities running during the uncertainty and unrest brought on by COVID. While we quarantined and socially distanced, our essential workers braved the unknown to keep our grocery stores, pharmacies, trash pickup, and other essential services running.

When I began my presidential year, the world was a different place than it is today. The start of the new decade has proven to be one of the most challenging years many of us have seen in our lifetimes. This year is still groundbreaking in ways besides the coronavirus. We have both a landmark election in just eight weeks and the 2020 Census needs to be completed by the end of the month and the outcomes of both of these events will set the tone for our nation’s recovery. NLC has been working to bring you resources, toolkits, and best practices to achieve an accurate Census count and to ensure that America’s cities, towns, and villages are at the forefront of the Presidential candidates’ platforms.

As President of NLC, my year was focused on Leading With Urgency – that rings true today more than ever. Local elected leaders have embodied that sentiment. We don’t have the luxury of inaction, we’ve been on the frontlines of the pandemic since day one, and it’s time our federal leaders show the same dedication. With Congress back in session, we are continuing the fight for their support. Reach out to Congress today and let them know that continued inaction is unacceptable. Leading With Urgency means we all step up – local and federal, Democrat and Republican – to start to recover safely and equitably.

Sending you strength,

Joe Buscaino
President,
National League of Cities
President Pro Tempore, Los Angeles City Council

RESOURCES

UPCOMING EVENTS

Webinar | Strengthening City & Health System Partnerships: A New Community of Practice | Monday, September 14, 2020, 3:00 PM ET
Please join us for an interactive discussion around the importance of multi-sector collaboration and community wide alignment on addressing public health concerns featuring Dr. Kevin Barnett and the Center to Advance Community Health and Equity (CACHE.) Register here.

Webinar | Municipal Bond Market Update: What Elected Officials Need to Know to Protect Their Cities’ Finances | Monday, September 14, 1:00 PM ET
Join us to understand current trends in municipal finance and how Build America Mutual can make your city’s investment plans more affordable during the COVID-19 pandemic and financial crisis. Register here.

Webinar | US Mayors Roundtable: Our Fight to Economic Recovery | Thursday, September 17, 2:00 PM CT/3:00 PM ET
Join Mayor Stephen Benjamin of Columbia, SC as he hosts a conversation with Mayor Francis Suarez of Miami, FL and Mayor Latoya Cantrell of New Orleans, LA about how their cities are responding to COVID-19 and working towards economic recovery in the midst of the pandemic. Space is limited. Register now.

Webinar | Creating Lasting Affordability Through Community Land Trusts | Wednesday, September 23, 1:00 PM ET
More than 250 community land trusts in the United States provide affordable rental and homeownership opportunities largely for low-and moderate- families in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Join us as we hear from Grounded Solutions Network and three community land trusts on how they create lasting affordability in their cities with support from their municipality. Register here.

OPPORTUNITIES

City Housing Spending on the Rise: How Much is Intergovernmental Aid Helping?
Due to discriminatory housing practices and the inadequate supply of affordable housing, coupled with wage stagnation as rents have risen, a housing crisis in America’s cities was inevitable. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated America’s housing problem. Now cities are having to stretch their dollars to fund emergency shelters, provide mortgage and rental assistance, and implement eviction diversion programs for individuals and families facing unemployment, eviction and/or homelessness. Download NLC’s new policy brief today.

Overview of National Eviction Moratorium
The Overview of National Eviction Moratorium produced by Opportunity Starts at Home coalition members NLIHC and NHLP addresses the most recent announcement regarding evictions from the CDC – including a template of the declaration tenants need to make to their landlords to benefit from the moratorium. NLC is part of Opportunity Starts at Home to advance solution for the long-standing affordable housing crisis in this country.

BEST PRACTICES

It’s Not Too Late! 3 Ways Your City Can Still Get an Accurate Census Count With less than 25 days remaining for the Census count and for people to respond to the Census questionnaire. This year’s Census has been a roller coaster – you, your staff, and your partners in the community have worked months longer to get out the count than you ever planned or expected to, and now we’ve reached the phase of counting the hardest to reach, and often most vulnerable, households. Read More.