Officials at the U.S. Census Bureau announced today that foreclosed homes had seen such an increase in numbers over the past two years that they would be included as an official race in the upcoming 2010 Census.
The population of foreclosed homes has seen growth rates of more than 29% during the last two years, bringing their numbers into the tens of millions. Census Bureau officials planning on including the empty homes in the upcoming Census defended the decision, saying the numbers were too large to ignore.
"These foreclosed homes, on their own, make up almost 12% of the U.S. population," said Census Officer Carl Lambert. "And that figure is only going to keep growing."
Census enumerators are welcoming the change, saying foreclosed homes are easier to find and define than some ethnic groups.
"If it's got brown grass or plywood on the windows, I know instantly which box to check," said Census enumerator Jack Pepper.
The Census Bureau is also considering instituting a bi-monthly count of this dynamic and growing group.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Diego Adopts First Mobility Master Plan
The plan provides a comprehensive framework for making San Diego’s transportation network more multimodal, accessible, and sustainable.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

Seattle Builds Subway-Sized Tunnel — for Stormwater
The $700 million ‘stormwater subway’ is designed to handle overflows during storms, which contain toxic runoff from roadways and vehicles.

Feds Clear Homeless Encampment in Oregon Forest
The action displaced over 100 people living on national forest land near Bend, Oregon.

Is This Urbanism?
Chuck Wolfe ponders a recommended subscription list of Substack urbanists and wonders — as have others — about the utility of the "urbanist" moniker.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Moorpark
City of Tustin
Tyler Technologies
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions