SECTION 3 PROGRAM

What is the Section 3 Program?

Under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968, wherever HUD financial assistance is expended for housing development, economic opportunities such as employment and training are given to Section 3 workers and businesses in that area. In particular, these opportunities are to be directed toward low- and very-low-income persons, particularly those who are recipients of government housing assistance via programs such as Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), Multifamily, and Moderate Rehabilitation.

What is ARHA’s role in the Section 3 Program?

ARHA will be working with developers and general contractors involved in the agencies’ redevelopment projects to meet Section 3 requirements. This includes locating and assessing potential Section 3 workers and businesses and then providing them with employment and training opportunities. 

What is the Section 3 Survey?

The purpose of the Section 3 Survey is to help ARHA determine the skills of potential Section 3 workers/business and to assess what training opportunities may be beneficial to increase employment potential. Those who complete a survey will be contacted to receive further information on the Section 3 program, and upcoming opportunities. 

To fill out the Section 3 Survey please click here

To print a survey then mail it back to ARHA please click here

If you are mailing your survey to ARHA please do so at the following address:

ARHA

Section 3

401 Wythe Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

IMPORTANT INFO: Please make sure all the contact information is completed so that we can contact you. Also, we are NOT currently hiring. Please see information below for the timeline of projects that will eventually be needing Section 3 workers/businesses.

What ARHA properties are being redeveloped & when?

ARHA will begin redeveloping Samuel Madden, located in Old Town in the City of Alexandria VA (covers multiple blocks, walking distance to the Braddock Street metro). This project will begin in approximately 6- 7 months in the Fall of 2024 and is targeted to be completed in the second quarter of 2026. Hiring will begin a few months before the start date. Please continue to check the ARHA website for section 3 updates, new redevelopment projects, and employment opportunities. 

Additional Section 3 Program Information

Section 3 Workers 

What does “Section 3 Worker” mean?

 A Section 3 worker is any worker is currently, or when hired within the past five years fits into at least one of the following categories, as documented: 

1. The worker’s income for the previous or annualized calendar year is below the income limit established by HUD. (See Determining Income Levels below)
2. The worker is employed by a Section 3 business concern (see Businesses section below) or 
3. The worker is a YouthBuild program participant. 

What does “Targeted Section 3 Worker” mean? 

A Section 3 targeted worker for Public Housing Financial Assistance projects is a Section 3 worker who: (1) is employed by a Section 3 business concern; or a worker who currently or when hired fits in at least one of the following categories, as documented within the past five years: 

1. A resident of public housing or Section 8-assisted housing.
2. A resident of other public housing projects or Section 8-assisted housing managed by the ARHA that is providing the assistance; or
3. A YouthBuild participant. 

Who are Section 3 residents?

Section 3 residents are:

• Public housing, and Section 8 residents
• Low and very-low-income persons (see determining income levels below) who live in the metropolitan area or non-metropolitan county where a HUD-assisted project for housing development is located.

How to Determine Income Levels

• Low income is defined as 80% or below the median income of that area.
• Very low income is defined as 50% or below the median income of that area.

Income limits may be obtained from: www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il.html.

Section 3 Business

What is a Section 3 business & what types of economic opportunities are available under Section 3? 

A Section 3 business is a business:

• That is at least 51 percent or more owned by Section 3 residents,
• Whose permanent, full-time employees include persons, at least 30 percent of whom are currently Section 3 residents, or within three years of the date of first employment with the business concern were Section 3 residents, or
• That provides evidence of a commitment to subcontract in excess of 25 percent of the dollar award of all subcontracts to be awarded to a Section 3 business concern.

Do you want to start a business that can bid on Section 3 jobs? 

If you are interested in starting your own small business that can work on Section 3 projects (or other businesses) you can learn from the Small Business Administration (SBA) how to start and fund a small business, from researching the market to launching your new business. This site www.sba.gov/ has everything needed to get a small business up and running.

The SBA can help you learn how to start your own business with 10 Steps to Start a Business at: www.sba.gov/business-guide/10-steps-start-your-business

The SBA's Business Guide at www.sba.gov/business-guide covers other important aspects of running a business. These include:

• Paying business taxes
• Getting business insurance
• Applying for licenses and permits
• Hiring and managing employees

The SBA also has resources for funding your business at www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/fund-your-business  which includes:

• Self-funding
• Investors
• Loans

.

The SBA also provides business guides and resources on funding and contracting programs for special groups, including:

• Women-owned businesses at www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/women-owned-businesses
• Minority-owned businesses at www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/minority-owned-businesses