Section 3 and DBE/MBE/WBE | Montana Department of Commerce

Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 ensures that employment and training opportunities arising in connection with Section 3 covered projects are, to the greatest extent feasible, and consistent with existing federal, state and local laws and regulations, provided to Section 3 workers (i.e., workers who are low- or very low-income, employed by a Section 3 business concern or participants of YouthBuild). Where feasible, priority is given to Section 3 workers living within the service area or the neighborhood of the project or to YouthBuild participants. Section 3-covered activities include housing rehabilitation, housing construction and other public construction.

Section 281 of the National Affordable Housing Act requires that recipients of HUD financial assistance reach out to disadvantaged, minority and women-owned business enterprises for all contracting activities facilitating the provision of affordable housing authorized under federal law.

Section 3 and DBE/MBE/WBE-covered projects may be funded by one or a combination of the following federal sources administered by the Montana Department of Commerce: the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the Housing Trust Fund Program, or the Community Development Block Grant Program.

For more information regarding Section 3 requirements, visit HUD’s Section 3 website at: hudexchange.info/programs/section-3 or Commerce’s “Labor Standards Officer” toolkit.

For project-specific Section 3 and DBE/MBE/WBE guidance, please contact your program specialist.