Inkster Housing Commission Expands Economic Opportunities through Section 3 Program

Inkster, 2022- Inkster Housing Commission is expanding economic opportunities through the Section 3 program.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Section 3 is a provision of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701u) regulated by 24 CFR 75. Section 3 regulations ensure that employment and other economic opportunities generated by certain HUD financial assistance shall, to the greatest extent feasible, and consistent with existing Federal, State and local laws and regulations, be directed to low- and very 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.

"Inkster Housing Commission is really excited to employ resources, in to the Inkster community, to generate meaningful outcomes in the form of jobs, training, and contracts for eligible persons and businesses," said Aaron Cooper, executive director of the Inkster Housing Commission.

Some implementation aspects of the Section 3 program can include:

Provide training or apprenticeship opportunities

Provide technical assistance to help Section 3 workers compete for jobs (e.g., resume

assistance, coaching)

Provide or connect Section 3 workers with assistance in seeking employment including: drafting resumes, preparing for interviews, and finding job opportunities connecting

residents to job placement services

Hold one or more job fairs

Provide or refer Section 3 workers to services supporting work readiness and retention

(e.g., work readiness activities, interview clothing, test fees, transportation, childcare).

Provide assistance to apply for/or attend community college, a four-year educational

institution, or vocational/technical training

Assist Section 3 workers to obtain financial literacy training and/or coaching

Engage in outreach efforts to identify and secure bids from Section 3 business concerns.

Provide technical assistance to help Section 3 business concerns understand and bid on

Contracts

Divide contracts into smaller jobs to facilitate participation by Section 3 business

concerns

Provide bonding assistance, guarantees, or other efforts to support viable bids from

Section 3 business concerns

Promote use of business registries designed to create opportunities for disadvantaged and small businesses

IHC's Section 3 Coordinator, H. Anthony Watson, serves as the central point of contact for Section 3 compliance for IHC and its sub-recipients, contractors and subcontractors supporting the program.

For more information, please visit http://www.inksterhousing.org or call 313.561.2600.

About Inkster Housing Commission

The Inkster Housing Redevelopment Commission (IHRC) was created in 1950 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Initially, the IHRC was a municipal department of the city of Inkster, a small, urban, blue-collar community 20 miles from Detroit. In 2004, IHRC became an independent, self-sustaining, HUD-funded nonprofit agency, following a change in state law that made all housing authorities independent of municipalities.

Inkster Housing Commission (IHC) is governed by a five-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor of Inkster, Michigan, to 5-year staggered terms. IHC mission is to be the premier affordable housing provider locally, regionally, and nationally that fosters diverse and vibrant communities including housing, education, and economic growth.

IHC is devoted to enriching lives by building inclusive communities and empowering families for long-term economic success.