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The City of Portland, Oregon

Office of Management & Finance

Bureau of Revenue and Financial Services

Phone: 503-823-5288

Fax: 503-823-5384

1120 SW 5th Avenue, Rm 1040, Portland, OR 97204

Section 3 Program

Section 3 is a provision of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Act of 1968. Section 3 requires recipients of certain HUD financial assistance to direct employment and contracting opportunities to low and very-low income persons and businesses residing in the community, where the project is located, to the greatest extent feasible.

Section 3 policies apply to Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) projects and situations as indicated below:

  • All construction projects for which the amount of HUD sourced assistance exceeds $200,000; and
  • All contractor/subcontractor situations where the contract or subcontract exceeds $100,000 with HUD sourced funds.

Who are Section 3 Residents?

  • Residents of Public and Indian Housing; or
  • Persons who live in the Portland metropolitan area or nonmetropolitan county and who earn 80% or less of the area median family income, based on household size.

What is a Section 3 Business Concern?  A business that:

  • Is 51% owned by Section 3 Residents; or
  • Employs Section 3 Residents, for at least 30% of its full-time, permanent staff; or
  • Provides evidence of commitment to subcontract 25% or more of the dollar amount of the awarded contract to Section 3 Business

To search for Section 3 Businesses, please visit our Contract Compliance Reporting System.

Questions? Contact Cathleen Massier at 503-823-6888.