2010 census: What's at stake for federal funding

About $400 billion in federal aid, often using funding formulas based on census data, is distributed annually to state, local and tribal governments for a broad range of programs. Examples on Long Island include:

MEDICAID

The federal government covers the largest portion of the cost of Medicaid, a medical assistance program for low-income residents. The state and counties in New York pick up the rest. Suffolk County estimated it will pay about 10 percent of Medicaid costs in 2010, or $194 million out of a $1.93 billion total. Nassau County reported its share of Medicaid costs is about 13 percent, or $226.6 million, out of the $1.6 billion cost in 2009.

HOUSING

In Hempstead Town, $750,000 in federal funds went toward an affordable housing program in 2008-09 and $240,000 in 2010-11. In the past five years, the town reported receiving $26 million in federal funds for programs that include affordable housing, downtown revitalization and affordable senior housing in Elmont. In Islip Town, 2010 federal allocations included $2.2 million in the Community Development Block Grant, and nearly $915,000 for the HOME Investment Partnership Program.

EDUCATION

Nearly $38 million in Title I school aid is to be distributed to Long Island school districts in 2010-11. The U.S. Department of Education program provides funds for low-income and at-risk students.

TRANSPORTATION

Federal money finances railroad and road projects. In 2008-09, $800,000 in federal funds supplemented $197,000 in local money for pedestrian, bike and guide rail projects along New York 27/Sunrise Highway in Lynbrook.

SOURCES: NASSAU AND SUFFOLK COUNTIES, HEMPSTEAD, ISLIP TOWNS, MTA, NEW YORK MTA COUNCIL, EASTERN SUFFOLK BOCES.