The U.S. Census Bureau requests
authorization from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for
revisions to the American Community Survey (ACS). The Census Bureau
has developed a methodology to collect and update demographic,
social, economic, and housing data every year that are essentially
the same as the "long-form" data that the Census Bureau formerly
collected once a decade as part of the decennial census. Federal
and state government agencies use such data to evaluate and manage
federal programs and to distribute funding for various programs
that include food stamp benefits, transportation dollars, and
housing grants. State, county, tribal, and community governments,
nonprofit organizations, businesses, and the general public use
information like housing quality, income distribution,
journey-to-work patterns, immigration data, and regional age
distributions for decision-making and program evaluation. In years
past, the Census Bureau collected the long-form data only once
every ten years and it became out of date over the course of the
decade. To provide more timely data, the Census Bureau developed
the ACS. The ACS blends the strength of small area estimation with
the high quality of current surveys. There is an increasing need
for current data describing lower geographic detail. The ACS is now
the only source of uniform data available about social, economic,
housing, and demographic characteristics for small-area levels
across the Nation and in Puerto Rico. In addition, there is an
increased interest in obtaining data for small subpopulations such
as groups within the Hispanic, Asian, and American Indian
populations, the elderly, and children. The ACS provides current
data throughout the decade for small areas and
subpopulations.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.