According to available data only 49% of the residents in the Borough Park area and only 57% of residents of Midwood responded to the 2010 census, one of the lowest response rates in New York City. Census data helps determine how millions of dollars in federal funding is distributed and an underrepresented district can significantly reduce a community's services.

The census is also an important way to monitor social, economic, and demographic trends and can directly affect the legislative redistricting process. Census Bureau representatives explained that any personal information gathered at a census remains confidential and that all residents are required by law to participate.

Representatives of Borough Park and Midwood's largest kehilas, yeshivas and organizations attended the meeting. A committee will be formed to address census outreach and several local pop-up sites are planned that will significantly help district residents to respond to the census in a swift and efficient manner. Those in attendance were determined to make this a priority for our local community.

"It was an honor to host this meeting and I am delighted by the enthusiastic response of our community leaders," said Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein. "This district hasn't been accurately represented in the past and we hope to significantly improve our response in the upcoming 2020 Census count. I look forward to working together with community leaders and Census Bureau representatives to ensure that everybody in the 48th Assembly district is properly counted."

Eichenstein added "We, as a community, must participate in the upcoming Census Count. I urge everyone to take 5 minutes out of their busy schedules to respond to the census – when it shows up in their mailboxes – because if we don’t respond, we don’t count."

"The census is an important tool for securing critical services and social programming," said Senator Simcha Felder. "Unfortunately, our district has been severely under counted in the past. This year, every response is crucial. Please don't ignore it. My office is prepared to answer any questions you have and we are working together with all your elected officials to ensure that our district is properly represented and receives the funding we deserve."