Jobs/Section 3

Watts Rising and the Housing Authority both have a strong commitment to creating job opportunities in Watts.

This includes requiring all Watts Rising partners to adhere to Section 3 requirements.  Section 3  requires that recipients of federal dollars from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the greatest extent possible, provide training, employment, contracting and other economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons, especially recipients of government assistance for housing, and to businesses that provide economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons.

Our Workforce Development Program has provided training to Watts residents in areas such as solar panel installation and maintenance, urban forestry, and electric vehicle maintenance. In addition, the multi-year, multi-phase Jordan Downs Redevelopment Project, funded in part by TCC and Choice funds, has provided a number of opportunities for local employment. 

At of the end of 2022, the Redevelopment Project had surpassed its local hiring goals:

  • All Section 3 Hires: 306
  • Jordan Downs Residents: 60
  • Watts Residents: 112
  • City of LA Residents: 134
  • S3 New Hires: 62% (HUD goal is 30%)
  • All Section 3 Hires: 283
  • Jordan Downs Residents: 59
  • Watts Residents: 127
  • City of LA Residents: 97
  • S3 New Hires: N/A
  • All Section 3 Hires: 83
  • Jordan Downs Residents: 41
  • Watts Residents: 24
  • City of LA Residents: 18
  • S3 New Hires: N/A

* Includes jobs created outside of developers and general contractors such as demolition, construction management, relocation and security