Region IV Expands Reach and Effectiveness of Section 3 Training

Section 3 presenters(clockwise): Jacqueline French, Section 3 coordinator from the Housing Authority of the Birmingham, AL District; Cheyenne Orobia, a Section 3 participant from the Louisville, KY Metro Housing Authority; Keith Landrum, portfolio management specialist in the HUD Office of Public Housing in Columbia, SC; and Katie Michalovic, program analyst in the HUD Office of Field Policy and Management in Columbia, SC.

Over 800 attendees from across the Southeast recently participated in the Region IV Section 3 virtual training helping to expand opportunities to provide training, employment, contracting and other economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons, especially recipients of government assistance for housing, and to businesses that provide economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons.

"I'd like to express our appreciation for your continued efforts to help provide an upward trajectory for those we mutually serve. It is truly astonishing given the current challenges we are facing that there are 803 attendees registered," said Deputy Regional Administrator Michael Browder during the opening remarks. "Together we can and are offering hope and possibility of a brighter future for those we mutually serve, as opportunities for self-sufficiency become more achievable."

The training program consisted of sessions on the History of Section 3 (www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsjrRPYJHrw&feature=youtu.be) with an in-depth overview of the New Rule, presented by Keith Landrum, portfolio management specialist in the Office of Public Housing in Columbia; Best Practices, presented by Jacqueline French, Section 3 coordinator from the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District; an Overview of the Business Registry and Opportunity Portal, presented by Katie Michalovic, program analyst in the Office of Field Policy and Management in Columbia; and How Section 3 Benefits Participants, presented by Cheyenne Orobia, a Section 3 participant from the Louisville Metro Housing Authority, who shared her personal story of gaining valuable skills as a YouthBuild graduate who was hired as a Section 3 worker by the general contractor for the Sheppard Square Redevelopment project in Louisville.

Kristine Foye, Columbia Field Office Director joined Jackson Field Office Director Jerrie Magruder and Efrain Maldonado Field Office Director, San Juan/USVI Office and staff in leading the effort to organize the training for Public Housing Authorities, Rental Assistance Demonstration participants and residents of public housing in the Southeast.

Region IV will continue to work with stakeholders to increase Section 3 participation, ensure proper reporting, and help with a smooth transition to the New Rule; as well as work with PHAs, businesses, and residents to reach full utilization of the Opportunity Portal and Business Registry.

You may access and view the recorded training event on Microsoft Teams at Section 3 Training (https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_YTU0MDhlMzgtODY1OS00MGI5LTg3N2QtNDZjNWQ4MWJhMjYy%40thread.v2/0?context=
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