Using American Community Survey Data for Formula Grant Allocations

Impact

A regulatory impact analysis must accompany every economically significant federal rule or regulation. The Office of Policy Development and Research performs this analysis for all U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development rules. An impact analysis is a forecast of the annual benefits and costs accruing to all parties, including the tax- payers, from a given regulation. Modeling these benefits and costs involves use of past research findings, application of economic principles, empirical investigation, and professional judgment.

This article reflects the views of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

This article discusses the use of census data to support grants from the federal government to state and local governments and shows how the Census Bureau’s new American Community Survey affects grants through the Community Development Block Grant program.