McAllen Housing Authority is committed to compliance with HUD's Section 3 program.

What is Section 3?

Section 3 is a provision of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. The purpose of Section 3 is to ensure that preference for employment, training and contracting opportunities generated from the expenditure of certain HUD funds is directed to local low and very low-income persons, particularly those who receive federal housing assistance, and businesses that are owned by or substantially employ such persons.

What does the term "Section 3 resident" mean?

A "section 3 resident" is: 1) a public housing resident; or 2) a low- or very low-income person residing in the metropolitan area or Non-Metropolitan County where the Section 3 covered assistance is expended.

What does the term "Section 3 Business" mean?

Section 3 businesses are those that can provide evidence of meeting one of the following three criteria: a) 51 percent or more owned by Section 3 residents; or b) At least 30 percent of its full time employees include persons that are currently Section 3 residents, or were Section 3 residents within three years of the date of first hire*; or c) Provides evidence, as required, of a commitment to subcontract in excess of 25 percent of the dollar award of all subcontracts to businesses that meet the qualifications of a) or b) above.

What is HUD's Section 3 Business Registry?

The Section 3 Business Registry is a registry of businesses that have self-certified their status as Section 3 Businesses. Businesses who self-certify that they meet one of the regulatory definitions of a Section 3 business will be included in a searchable online database. The database can be used by agencies that receive HUD funds, developers, contractors, and others to facilitate the award of covered construction and non-construction contracts to Section 3 businesses. Section 3 residents are also encouraged to use the registry to identify businesses that may have HUD-funded employment opportunities.

Download Section 3 Brochure (English)

Download Section 3 Brochure (Spanish)

For more information about Section 3 - visit HUD.gov