Section 3 Education and Training Program
Through the Pinellas County Housing Authority (PCHA) Education and Training Program (Section 3), referrals are made to a variety of training and employment workshops, GED preparation, career counseling, life skills training, etc., that are available with our partner service providers to connect families to information and opportunities leading to life enhancing skills.
Our Education and Training Program helps connect skilled workers with potential employers.
PCHA’s Resident Computer Training Program offers adults training to gain employable skills.
What is PCHA’s Education and Training Program?
PCHA’s Section 3 Education and Training Program provides qualified participants linkages to education and training opportunities based on your final goal.
Who is Eligible to Participate?
Residents of public housing, and/or low-income persons who live in the area surrounding a public housing community may be eligible to participate in PCHA’s Section 3 Education and Training Program.
How can I apply?
If you live in public housing, or if your household income falls below the income limits, you may qualify as a Section 3 resident and may be eligible for training and employment opportunities. Income guidelines may be found on HUD’s website. These guidelines will help determine your eligibility. If you are eligible, please click here to download an application.
Complete and return application by fax (727) 489-0751;
email: residentservices@pinellashousing.com or
mail to:
Pinellas County Housing Authority
Resident Services Department – Section 3
11479 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33778
Once your application is received, you will be contacted to schedule an assessment with the Section 3 Coordinator to determine eligibility for Section 3 Resident certification with the Pinellas County Housing Authority.
Note: You must reside within the Pinellas County Housing Authority’s jurisdiction to become a certified Section 3 resident. This will be determined by your current address. Please be sure to complete the application legibly.
What types of employment opportunities are available to me under Section 3?
When available at PCHA and its contractors, the following employment opportunities are available for Section 3 residents who meet the job qualifications.
Administrative/Management: accounting, payroll, research, bookkeeping, purchasing, word processing
Services: appliance repair, florists, marketing, carpet installation, janitorial, photography, catering, landscaping, printing, computer/information, manufacturing, transportation
Construction:architecture, bricklaying, carpentry, cement/masonry, demolition, drywall, electrical, elevator construction, engineering, fencing, heating, iron works, machine operation, painting, plastering, plumbing, surveying , tile setting, etc.
What types of education and training opportunities are available to me under Section 3?
PCHA’s Section 3 Program provides assistance to meet the goals set by the resident at the assessment with the Section 3 Coordinator. If your goal is to obtain a GED or certification in one of the areas below, you may receive assistance from programs that the Pinellas County Housing Authority offers based on your budget (assisted participants of PCHA only). Referrals will be made to agencies in the community when funding cannot be covered with scholarship funds or is not available (assisted and non-assisted Section 3 residents). PCHA does not provide Section 3 scholarships to cover tuition or books for post-secondary school. Referrals are made to colleges where you can apply and use financial aid to cover these types of expenses. Below are related opportunities available include but are not limited to:
Computer Training
Employment Readiness Training
Certified Nurses Aide Training & Certification
Scholarship search and assistance
Career Counselling
GED Program & ESL Classes
Financial Literacy
Note: All of the above are certificate programs.
What types of supportive services are available to me under Section 3?
PCHA has developed excellent partner resources with service provider organizations in Pinellas County and provide linkages to these partners once your specific need is identified. Referrals are made to providers in education, job readiness training, food, clothing, transportation, childcare, and many more. Follow up of the referral by the Section 3 Coordinator is very important to ensure the Section 3 certified resident received the service requested in a satisfactory manner. It is also the responsibility of the Section 3 certified resident to provide feedback to the Section 3 Coordinator.
Does Section 3 require the creation of jobs?
No, Section 3 does not require the creation of jobs simply for the sake of creating them.
Are Section 3 residents guaranteed employment?
No. Section 3 residents must demonstrate that they meet the qualifications for new employment opportunities. Section 3 residents will be required to engage in regular job search activities (i.e. submitting resumes, attending interviews, etc.) to find employment.
If you have questions, please email the Resident Services Department at residentservices@pinellashousing.com