Section 3 Program: Overview
Section 3 is a federally mandated program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968, federal funds invested in housing and community development shall provide contracts, employment, training, and other economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons in the local jurisdiction, referred to as “Section 3 Workers;” and to businesses that employ such persons, referred to as “Section 3 Business Concerns.”
Section 3 requires that “to the greatest extent feasible,” businesses working on projects that receive certain financial assistance from HUD must make a good faith effort to train and hire Section 3 Workers, and contract with Section 3 Business Concerns.
The program is implemented and regulated by Part 75 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations (24 CFR 75).
Employment opportunities for Riverside County Housing & Workforce Solutions (HWS) certified Section 3 Workers may include: professional, technical, construction, maintenance and administrative.
Contracting and/or subcontracting opportunities for HWS certified Section 3 Business Concerns include, but are not limited to: Construction, professional services, and general services.
HWS complies with Section 3 within its own operations and ensures the compliance of its sub-recipients, developers, contractors, and subcontractors.
HWS Section 3 Unit
The HWS Section 3 Unit leads the agency-wide implementation and compliance with Section 3.
Role of HWS’s Section 3 Unit:
- Administer program
- Monitor compliance
- Certify Section 3 Workers and Section 3 Business Concerns
- Provide technical and outreach assistance
- Notify Section 3 Workers and Section 3 Business Concerns of economic opportunities
More Information/FAQ
Sub-recipients, developers, contractors and subcontractors on HWS Section 3 covered contracts and projects must, to the greatest extent feasible, make a documented effort to award contracts to qualified Section 3 Business Concerns and hire qualified Section 3 Workers, when there is a need to award contracts and/or hire new employees. Section 3 Workers are to be employed per the HUD Section 3 benchmark:
- At least 25 percent of total labor hours worked by Section 3 Workers; and
- At least 5 percent of total labor hours worked by Section 3 Workers who reside in public housing, HUD Section 8 assisted housing, or within one mile of the Section 3 covered project; an employee of a Section 3 Business Concern; or a YouthBuild participant.
Registry of Section 3 Business Concerns
Registry of Section 3 Section Workers
Registry of Section 3 YouthBuild
Examples of Efforts to Create Employment and Contracting Opportunities
Resources Outreach Assistance
Section 3 and Equal Opportunity Contracting Project Utilization Plan
Section 3 Workers List Form
For assistance in identifying certified Section 3 Residents and Section 3 Business Concerns, contact HWS’s Section 3 Unit at HWS-section3@RivCo.org
Economic Opportunities
Training and Employment for Section 3 Workers
HWS’s Section 3 Unit collaborates with HWS’s Workforce Development to assist Section 3 Workers, individuals who are low-income and reside in the County of Riverside, in obtaining employment with HWS, businesses performing on HUD Section 3 covered contracts or projects, and local employers. An eligible individual who certifies as a Section 3 Worker with HWS is placed on a registry and is notified of employment and training opportunities.
Section 3 Program Guide
Section 3 Worker Certification Form
CalJobs Opportunities
Contracts for Section 3 Business Concerns
HWS’s Section 3 Unit assists businesses that qualify as Section 3 Business Concerns in the County of Riverside to obtain contracting opportunities on HUD Section 3 covered contracts and projects. A Section 3 Business Concern is a businesses that is:
- At least 51 percent owned by low-income individuals that reside in the County of Riverside; or
- At least 75 percent of the labor hours performed for the business over the prior three-month period were performed by low-income persons who reside in the County of Riverside.
An eligible business that certifies as a Section 3 Business Concern with HWS is placed on a registry and is notified of contracting opportunities, business development workshops and conferences; and is referred to businesses who are seeking Section 3 Business Concerns.
Section 3 Program Guide
Section 3 Business Concern Certification Form
Riverside County Open Solicitations (HWS Vendor Portal)
For questions, contact the HWS Section 3 Unit at HWS-section3@RivCo.org.