The St. Louis Housing Authority’s (SLHA) Section 3 program ensures that employment and other economic opportunities generated by federal financial assistance for housing and community development programs shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be directed toward low income persons, particularly those who are recipients of government assistance for housing, and to business concerns which provide economic opportunities to low and very low income persons.
Who are Section 3 Residents?
Persons living in and around public housing that have been determined to have low and very low income.
What is Section 3?
It is a means by which HUD fosters local economic development, neighborhood economic improvement and individual self-sufficiency.
Section 3 is the legal basis for providing jobs for residents and awarding contracts to businesses in areas receiving certain types of HUD financial assistance.
Under Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, wherever HUD financial assistance is given for housing or community development, to the greatest extent feasible, economic opportunities will be given to residents and businesses in that area.
What kind of Economic Opportunities?
- Job Training
We coordinate with other agencies that provide job training in various industries. - Employment
Link residents with opportunities based on their experience and qualifications. - Section 3 Contracts
Bid opportunities for those businesses or resident-owned businesses that qualify under Section 3 Business Development.
What is the purpose of the Business and Economic Development Program? (BEDP)
- The purpose of this program is to promote economic stability among participating families in St. Louis public housing.
- To connect eligible families with the appropriate support services and resources in the community that will assist them toward economic self-sufficiency.
- To develop partnerships with companies within the St. Louis area that are committed to the delivery of employment opportunities, job training, business development, banking, and educational options.
- To identify opportunities for starting small businesses and provide resources to link residents with the knowledge and capital to start those new businesses.
Who is eligible to participate in the BEDP?
- All public housing residents receiving housing assistance or Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 residents, listed on the lease, including elderly, disabled families and primary caregivers for children for whom the BEDP would be suitable.
- A family member already employed, may be eligible even though they are working. Remember, the goal is to help the under-employed or unemployed obtain a better job and become economically self-sufficient.
Where will these services be delivered?
Some services may be delivered at the SLHA; typically, those are geared toward Section 3 Businesses. More comprehensive services are offered by agency partners throughout the metropolitan St. Louis area for residents of public housing and Section 8.
What are the Supportive Services?
A BEDP related services program means any sponsored program, public or private, that offers the following kinds of supportive services:
- Education (GED, Literacy program, higher education)
- Employment (job readiness, training, interviewing techniques & referrals,
resume writing) - Personal economic development (budgeting, investing and banking)
- New Business Development
When do you become eligible to participate?
The moment you sign your lease and are accepted as a public housing or Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 resident, you are eligible to participate.
For more information, contact:
Robert Jones, Manager, Section 3 Coordinator/Business & Economic Development
(314) 286-4295
