Business Registry

HUD to Connect Low-Income Workers with Contracting Opportunities

HUD Secretary Julián Castro announces in Miami Business Registry to increase opportunities for low-income workers.

HUD Secretary Julián Castro announced in Miami new changes to strengthen a federal program called "Section 3" that directs jobs and training to low-income workers and connects businesses that hire them with HUD-funded contracting opportunities. The initiative would increase opportunities for businesses that hire local public housing residents for HUD-funded projects.

In addition to changes to Section 3 requirements, Secretary Castro also announced the launch of a National Section 3 Business Registry. The registry is a searchable online database that local housing authorities, government agencies, and contractors can use to find firms that are self-certified as employing at least 30 percent public housing residents or low-income workers.

Every year, HUD funds create thousands of jobs across the country that range from construction to professional services like accounting or engineering. From 2009-2014, based on data reported by public housing authorities and HUD modeling, approximately 170,000 jobs were created by HUD for eligible low-income workers through this program. More than $5 billion in HUD-funded contracts has been directed to Section 3 businesses since 2009.

In 2012, HUD launched a five-city pilot Section 3 Business Registry in Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans and Washington, DC to help local public agencies better connect local businesses that hire low-income residents and workers with the contracting and economic development opportunities created by HUD-funded housing and development projects, something that is required under Section 3 guidelines. Nearly 1,000 businesses have signed up for the registry nationally. In Miami, Secretary Castro applauded the nearly 300 Section 3 businesses that have signed up for the registry statewide. HUD announced that the initiative will now become national.

To register a business, search the database of local self-certified Section 3 businesses, or to learn more about HUD's National Section 3 Business Registry, please visit: www.hud.gov/sec3biz.

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