1 The Earnings and Living Opportunities Act COSCDA’s Program Manager’s Conference Tuesday, March 16, Washington, D.C.

2 Section 3 Problem Areas Administration Oversight, Compliance & Enforcement Training Needs & Agency Coordination

3 Proposed changes Administration –Makes Section 3 apply to all HUD funds. –Raises the profile of Section 3 to the Secretary’s level. –Provides resources to expand monitoring and compliance. –Targets recipients of housing assistance. –Creates a national registry of Section 3 businesses.

4 Proposed changes Oversight & Compliance –Sets tangible benchmarks regarding training, employment and contracting goals. –Gives the Secretary the ability to reward those that exceed Section 3 goals and sanction those who fail to comply. –Ensures residents have the ability to bring claims for non-compliance. –Requires a GAO review to identify hurdles for compliance and enhance program accountability.

5 Proposed changes Training Needs & Agency Coordination –Establishes a Section 3 coordinator that will serve as liaison for interagency cooperation and resident organization. –Fosters training that will promotes career advancement and business development. –Provides competitive grants to set up specialized training programs in communities. –Promotes better coordination among Federal and State workforce agencies.

6 Supporting organizations Center for Budget and Policy Priorities Commonwealth Housing Legal Services Community Service Society of New York Corporation for Supportive Housing Good Old Lower East Side Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law Legal Aid Society of New York National Black Chamber of Commerce National Housing Law Project National Low Income Housing Coalition St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation Supportive Housing Network of New York Transportation Equity Network United Job Creation Council

7 For further information Aixa Alemán-Díaz Senior Legislative Assistant (202) office