Section 3 Certification Standards & Program Policies

SDDBA reviews Section 3 worker certification applications using the applicable criteria under 24 CFR Part 75. Applicants identify the eligibility basis they believe applies; SDDBA does not request unnecessary sensitive information (such as Social Security numbers, tax returns, or pay stubs) through the public application form. Worker certification records are private and are never displayed in a public registry.

Targeted Section 3 Worker status is separately determined and may be project-specific. SDDBA does not determine Targeted status based solely on a checkbox. Additional information may be requested where applicable to a particular project or opportunity.

A business concern may qualify if it meets at least one applicable criterion under 24 CFR § 75.5, documented within the previous six months, including qualifying ownership/control, qualifying Section 3 worker labor hours, or qualifying ownership/control by current public housing or Section 8-assisted housing residents.

Business eligibility documentation must be refreshed approximately every six months under the SDDBA program. Certified businesses receive reminders approximately 60 days, 30 days, and at the reverification due date. Reverification is not automatic — only an authorized SDDBA reviewer may approve reverification and extend certification.

The review process is: Application → Pending Review → Documentation Review → Determination → Certification. Submitting an application does not constitute certification. SDDBA may request additional information necessary to complete the review.

Only SDDBA may issue a certification number. Worker certifications use the format SDDBA-S3W-YYYY-#### and business certifications use SDDBA-S3B-YYYY-####. Certification numbers are never generated automatically upon application submission and are assigned only after SDDBA approves certification.

Worker certification records and private eligibility documents are not public. Only specifically authorized business information may appear in the public business registry. SDDBA will not publicly display Social Security numbers, personal income documentation, housing-assistance documentation, private ownership documentation, or other sensitive eligibility records.

An applicant whose certification is denied may request reconsideration by contacting SDDBA and providing additional information or documentation supporting the application. SDDBA will review the reconsideration request under the applicable program procedures.

SDDBA may suspend or revoke a certification if eligibility information is materially false, unsupported, or no longer current, subject to applicable SDDBA review procedures. A suspended or revoked certification is reflected in the verification system.

SDDBA certification is an independent SDDBA determination based on information and documentation reviewed under the SDDBA Section 3 Certification & Opportunity Program. It is not certification issued or endorsed by HUD and does not bind a HUD funding recipient or other organization to accept the certification for its own compliance purposes.

Certification does not guarantee employment, contract award, subcontract award, training placement, funding, procurement preference, or selection.