1 and 2). 3). To reduce the workload and burden on LUCA participants, the  Bureau provided a longer period for reviewing and updating LUCA  materials; provided options to submit materials for the LUCA Program;  combined the collection of addresses from two separate operations into  one integrated and sequential operation; and created MTPS, which is  designed to assist LUCA participants in reviewing and updating address  and map data. In addition, many participants  experienced problems with converting Bureau-provided address files. Building on the progress it has already made, the Bureau can take  additional steps to address new challenges in reducing workload and  burdens for LUCA participants. First, although the Bureau performed  internal tests of the software, the Bureau did not test MTPS as part of the  LUCA Dress Rehearsal and tested MTPS with only one locality in  preparation for the 2010 LUCA Program. The 2010 LUCA Program faces challenges caused by the continuous  changes in the housing stock in areas affected by storm damage or  population influxes, which may hinder the ability of local governments to  accurately update their address lists and maps. Further, the condition of  the housing stock is likely to present additional challenges for address  canvassing and other decennial census operations in the form of  decreased productivity for Bureau staff, issues associated with identifying  vacant and uninhabitable structures, and workforce shortages. These local governments are focused on  reconstruction, and officials we spoke with in two localities questioned  their ability to participate in the LUCA Program. The effects of hurricanes Katrina and  Rita caused a major shift in population away from the hurricane-affected  areas. In addition to the changes in the 2010 LUCA Program, the Bureau has  considered changes to the address canvassing and subsequent operations  in the Gulf Coast region. The Bureau’s plans for how it may adjust  address canvassing operations in the Gulf Coast region can also have  implications for subsequent operations. However, Bureau officials stated that there are “no concrete plans” to  implement changes to address canvassing or subsequent decennial  operations in the Gulf Coast region. Appendix I: Scope and Methodology

To assess the current status of the U.S. Census Bureau’s (Bureau) Local  Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Program, we requested and obtained  source documents from the Bureau’s headquarters in Suitland, Maryland,  and the Bureau’s Web site regarding the updated timelines of the 2010  LUCA Program and the LUCA Dress Rehearsal. To assess how the Bureau is addressing prior issues and new challenges  associated with implementing the LUCA Program, we performed a review  of publications created by GAO and other entities (i.e., the National  Research Council, the Department of Commerce’s Office of the Inspector  General, and Anteon Corporation) regarding the LUCA Program to  ascertain critiques of the program and recommendations for improving the  program for the 2010 Census.
Why GAO Did This Study

The Department of Commerce's (Commerce) U.S. Census Bureau (Bureau) seeks updated information on the addresses and maps of housing units and group quarters from state, local, and tribal governments through the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) Program. Prepared under the Comptroller General's authority, this report assesses (1) the status of the LUCA Program, (2) the Bureau's response to prior recommendations by GAO and others and new challenges related to the program, and (3) the Bureau's plans for conducting the program in areas affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. GAO reviewed LUCA program documents, met with and surveyed participants in the LUCA Dress Rehearsal, and interviewed Bureau officials and local officials in the Gulf Coast region.

What GAO Found

The Bureau has conducted its planned LUCA operations in accordance with its published timeline. The Bureau has also taken steps to reduce workloads and burdens and improve training for localities that participate in LUCA--all areas GAO and others had identified as needing improvement. For instance, to reduce participant workload and burden, the Bureau provided a longer period for reviewing and updating LUCA materials; provided options for submitting materials for the LUCA Program; combined the collection of LUCA addresses from two separate operations into one integrated program; and created MTPS, which is designed to assist LUCA Program participants in reviewing and updating address and map data. Also, the Bureau has planned improvements to the 2010 LUCA Program training (i.e., specialized workshops for informational and then technical training) and plans to supplement the workshops with CBT. However, the Bureau faces new challenges. For instance, the Bureau tested MTPS with only one local government. Other local officials we spoke with had problems converting Bureau-provided address files. In addition, the Bureau did not test its CBT software in the LUCA Dress Rehearsal. Additional challenges stem from the damage to the Gulf Coast region caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Officials in localities in hurricane-affected areas questioned their ability to participate in the LUCA Program. The continuous changes in housing stock may hinder local governments' ability to accurately update their address lists and maps. The condition of the housing stock is likely to present additional challenges for the Bureau's address canvassing operation (in which the Bureau verifies addresses) in the form of decreased productivity for Bureau staff, workforce shortages, and issues associated with identifying vacant and uninhabitable structures. The Bureau created a task force to assess the implications of storm-related issues that proposed a number of mitigating actions. However, the Bureau has no plans for modifying the address canvassing operation or subsequent operations in the Gulf Coast region.