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Various programs and information about them:

1) BBSP:
Phase 1 of the 2020 Redistricting Data Program is the Block Boundary Suggestion Project (BBSP) being conducted in the first half of 2016. This program is the only chance to weigh in on the smallest Census geography that underpins all other Census geographies – the Census block. Are your block boundaries correct? Are they where you need them to be? Have a say in which boundaries are important to you and your jurisdiction(s) and which are not. California must streamline its blocks as the geography exploded between the 2000 and 2010 Census’ from 533,000 to 710,000 – more than a 33% increase. While this project is of high importance for Redistricting and electoral district purposes, don’t forget the substantial uses of small area data for other data tabulation needs such as for grant writing, neighborhood profiles, etc.
The BBSP is an important part of the geographic preparations for the 2020 Census. California has designed the BBSP to allow its counties the opportunity to provide input about the features that will be designated as boundaries for census tabulation blocks in the 2020 Census. The BBSP also allows counties to submit suggested block boundary changes that may be of use in the post-2020 Census redistricting process or for other data tabulation purposes.
The goal is to receive one geography file from each county on or before May 23, 2016. This means that each county has to designate a point person to facilitate the process (Mark Greninger of the CIO) of receiving input from its jurisdictions. The state liaison must submit all files to the Census Bureau’s Redistricting Data Office by the May 31, 2016 deadline. Please note that this process will be the only opportunity for jurisdictions to review and provide input into the geographic features that the Census Bureau will be using as 2020 Census block tabulation areas.

2) BAS Program:
The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the Boundary and Annexation Survey (BAS) Program Annually to update their records regarding changes to legal boundaries, names, annexation, and de-annexation. This survey is an important opportunity for L.A. County to report to the Bureau, the correct boundary and legal name within County’s jurisdiction.  What is critical for the success of the Census 2020 data tabulation is the location of roads relative to the tabulation entity boundary. We need to ensure the roads are within the correct entities, so the population and housing will be properly reported. In addition, the Census Bureau will use the updated boundary information to report data from the 2020 Census and estimates from other programs and surveys, such as the Population Estimates Program (PEP) and the American Community Survey (ACS).
The successful implementation of the BAS & Consolidated BAS (County can represent Cities with Agreement) Project and Process are dependent on the accurate and successful completion of the following tasks:

• Review and update the boundaries for Cities in Los Angeles County.
• Acquisition of the Compliance Letters from the Cities within Los Angeles County.
• Completion of the Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) Installation and Training Program.
• Review and update the location of roads relative to the City boundary to assist the Bureau to report the correct population and housing for each entity for the Census 2020.
• Collaborate and report the boundary, road name discrepancy findings to each City. Update the city maps accordingly.
• Accurate submission of the City Boundaries to the Census Bureau by no later than May 31 Annually.

3) LUCA Program:
Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Program is the only opportunity offered to tribal, state and local governments (Counties, Cities) to review and comment on the Census Bureau’s residential address list for their jurisdiction prior to the Census 2020. The Census Bureau relies on a complete and accurate address list to reach every living quarters and associated population for inclusion in the census. The LUCA was authorized by the Census Address List Improvement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-430).

• LUCA participation is very important to the 2020 Census:
  (a) Results are used to improve the Census Bureau’s Address List
  (b) Accuracy and completeness of the address list is critical to the accuracy and completeness of the census
• Active functioning governments can participate in LUCA. These include:
  (a) Federally recognized tribes with a reservation and/or off-reservation trust lands
  (b) States and Counties
  (c) Cities, Towns, Boroughs, or Villages (incorporated places)
  (d) Townships and Towns (minor civil divisions)
• LUCA can benefit Census data which are used to:
  (a) Apportion seats in the House of Representatives
  (b) Distribute 400 billion annually in federal funds to state and local governments for over 1000 programs
  (c) Provide statistical support to fund community projects, improvements, and enhancements
  (d) Help community plan for future needs
• How to prepare for LUCA ?
  (a) Submit Contact Information Update Form
  (b) Develop a strategy for the address review
  (c) Access the Census Bureau’s count of residential addresses by census block for the government
  (d) Ensure that the address list contains individual multiunit structure identifiers (Apt 1, Apt 2)
  (e) Identify local address sources such as building permits, E-911 address files, local utility records, annexation records, and assessment or taxation files
  (f) Plan to attend a LUCA Promotional Workshop
• Confidentiality and Security:
  (a) All LUCA materials including the Census Bureau’s Address List and maps containing structure coordinates (or map spots) are protected under Title 13, U.S. Code
  (b) Signed confidentiality agreements and security restrictions are required to participate in LUCA
• 2020 Census LUCA Schedule:
  (a) January-February 2017 – Advance Notice mailed to HEOs and other LUCA contacts
  (b) March-June 2017 – LUCA Promotional Workshops conducted
  (c) July 2017 – Invitation and Registration mailed to HEOs of all eligible governments
  (d) October 2017 – LUCA Training Workshops begin
  (e) February-May 2018 – Participants review and update the Census Bureau’s Address List
  (f) August – September 2019 – Deliver Feedback materials
• April 1, 2020 – CENSUS DAY

4) PSAP Program:
Participant Statistical Areas Program (PSAP) Program is to research and submit the changes to census tracts (CT), block groups (BG), census designated places (CDPs) and census county divisions (CCDs) to the Census Bureau.  In 2010, the County was responsible for validating that the Census Bureau has implemented the County’s changes correctly and thoroughly.
During the 2018-2019 timeframe, the County of Los Angeles should have submitted to the Census Bureau with updated Census Tract Boundaries from all the 88 cities in Los Angeles County, using the Census Geographic Update Partnership Software (GUPS) software.

• Allow participants, following Census Bureau guidelines and criteria, to review, update, and delineate new census tracts, block groups, census designated places (CDPs) and census county divisions (CCDs)
• To define meaningful, relevant census tracts, block groups, CDPs and CCDs to obtain meaningful, relevant small area and place-level statistical data
• The updated boundaries will frame all the 2020 Census tabulations, and will be used for the American Community Survey (ACS)
• Data tabulated to these PSAP geographic entities are used by various local, state, and federal agencies and organizations for planning and funding purposes, as well as the private sector, academia, and the public

This page to be managed by ISD/ITS/IDD/Urban Research-GIS Section (contact Victor Chen, vchen@isd.lacounty.gov, 562-658-1799 with questions)