Section 3

What is Section 3?

The Section 3 program requires that housing authorities, to the greatest extent possible, provide job training, employment, and contract opportunities for low or very-low income residents in connection with projects and activities in their neighborhoods.

We comply with Section 3 by advertising SPHA job openings, both in the newspaper and at our public housing developments, and through our purchasing requirements.  Formal procurements, depending on the size of the contract, may include a requirement for bidders to commit to Section 3 compliance up front by choosing from the following four options:

Option 1:   Subcontract with a Section 3 Business(es)

Option 2:   Hire Section 3 residents/participants

Option 3:   Provide training to a specific number of residents

Option 4:   Contribute to the SPHA's resident training/educational fund

If you live in government-assisted housing or if your household income falls below HUD's income limits, you may qualify as a Section 3 resident or Section 3 business concern.

Por favor, haga clic aquí para "SPHA en Español"

Who are Section 3 residents?

Section 3 residents are:

• Public housing residents or

• Persons who live in the area where a HUD-assisted project is located and who have a household income that falls below 80% of the Area Median Income.

Click here to read about SPHA's Section 3 resident sucess stories!

What is a Section 3 business concern?

A business that:

• Is 51 percent or more owned by Section 3 residents;

• Employs Section 3 residents for at least 30 percent of its full-time, permanent staff; or

• Provides evidence of a commitment to subcontract to Section 3 business concerns, 25 percent or more of the dollar amount of the awarded contract.

Who receives priority under Section 3?

For training and employment:

• Persons in public and assisted housing

• Persons in the area where the HUD financial assistance is spent

• Participants in HUD Youthbuild programs

• Homeless persons