Section 3 policy: Complicated, but it could boost city's lowest-income residents
MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukeeans are getting the chance to weigh in on a policy that could provide a boost to some of the city's lowest-income residents. Few are familiar with the policy, but some say it could have a huge trickle-down effect in the community.
Deon Bond is one of those people who quietly tries to make a difference in her community.
"I'm Mrs. Bond with the United We Stand cleaning service. I go back for the individuals from the new release and I hire individuals from the correctional center," said Bond.
Bond was the only resident to show up at a Section 3 policy meeting on Wednesday, December 17th. She hopes that policy might benefit her business.
"Right now with Section 3, I'm just praying that everything be, well, I can teach the young men how to go about waxing, scraping, cleaning the correct way," said Bond.
If you've never heard of Section 3, that's okay -- a lot people aren't familiar with it.
"Residents who live in a community where HUD's money is being expended, who are low and very low income, that they have first opportunities for any training, employment or contracting opportunities that are generated as a result of those monies from HUD," said J. Keith Swiney from Motivation, Inc.
If you receive government assistance for your housing, you're at the top of the list of people who could benefit from Section 3. It's also targeted at businesses that hire low-income workers.
"That means you get preference in contracting, provided you qualify for the work equally as any other contractor would," said Swiney.
Bond is hoping her business qualifies. She sees employment as a chance to spur a trickle-down effect in the lives of her workers.
"God didn't put you here to rob, steal, take something from someone else. God put you here to be independent and to be a man or a woman of God," said Bond.
This is a complex topic. If you'd like to learn more, there is another public comment session on Milwaukee's latest Section 3 policy. That's coming Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Hillside Family Resource Center.