HOME FORWARD OF PORTLAND WINS $50,000 TO EXPAND JOB & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS OF COMMUNITIES BENEFITTING FROM HUD-FUNDED PROJECTS
Portland one of 12 housing authorities in nation to win total of $600,000 in first-ever Section 3 grants

PORTLAND - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded $50,000 to Home Forward - the new name of the Housing Authority of Portland - to provide job training, employment, and contract opportunities for low-income residents in connection with HUD-funded projects and activities in their neighborhoods.

Home Forward was one of 12 housing authorities to receive a total of $600,000 in awards under HUD's Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. Section 3 promotes new employment, training, and contracting opportunities on HUD-funded projects. 85 organizations nationwide competed for the grants announced today. This is the first time in the 40-year history of Section that HUD has competitively awarded grants so that authorities may employ Section 3 coordinators.

"The funding announced today advances HUD's commitment to investing in people as well as buildings in areas of the country that need it greatly," said John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. "Having a Section 3 Program Coordinator has been shown to be a best practice, maximizing a grantee's ability to promote jobs, contracts, and training opportunities."

"HUD-funded projects play a crucial role in improving the look and feel and vitality of communities," said HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Mary McBride. "But they also stimulate their economies of those communities. These grants will play a critical role in helping insure that the people who live and the companies doing business in neighborhoods affected by HUD projects have a fair and full chance to benefit from that economic activity."

Grants were awarded to housing authorities and jurisdictions with high unemployment and a demonstrated
commitment to partner with other local agencies and sustain the position after one year. Grants were awarded to:

For additional information about HUD's Section3 program, go to: www.hud.gov/section3.

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