Montco At Risk Of Losing 'Tens Of Millions' In Aid From Census

NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County officials say it is critical that the deadline for U.S. Census counting be pushed back to Oct. 31, lest the county lose "tens of millions" in crucial funding.

Federal officials had originally pushed the date back to Oct. 31 due to coronavirus, but recently switched the deadline back to Sept. 30. The move was described as an attempt by the bureau to accelerate the decennial count amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. On Sept. 30, the bureau will cease critical door-knocking efforts and will stop collecting responses online, over the phone, and by mail.

“Moving the COVID-19 census response deadline from October 31 to September 30 will put Montgomery County at great risk of losing tens of millions of dollars in funding for our most critical programs and services,” Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh said in a statement.

Montgomery County is mentioned in a separate amicus brief filed in support of the suit. The brief includes jurisdictions from around the nation.

“By way of example, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania estimates that a five percent undercount

of its residents could cost the county more than $72 million in federal funding for schools, infrastructure, Medicaid, SNAP, housing vouchers, and other programs," the brief states.

It's not clear when a decision on the suit will be reached.

As of Aug. 6, roughly 4 out of 10 U.S. households have yet to be counted. The national response rate is 63 percent, a minimal increase from mid-June, when the response rate was 61.5 percent.

With reporting from Patch correspondent Alex Costello.