Equal employment opportunity protects all employees (and potential employees) of PJs and their partners. These requirements apply as soon as PJs and their partners begin the procurement process for new contractors. There are a number of equal employment opportunity requirements to which PJs and HOME recipients must adhere. These requirements are meant to prohibit discrimination against employees or applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or economic status. They apply to hiring practices, employer/employee relations, and business opportunity. To support an equal playing field in employment, HUD also promotes the use of outreach programs to encourage socially and economically disadvantaged groups to participate in HOME-funded programs and activities.

Which Equal Employment Opportunity regulations must PJs and their partners adhere to when implementing their HOME programs?

Key employment opportunity regulations include the following:

• Equal Employment Opportunity, Executive Order 11246, implemented in 41 CFR Part 60
  Executive Order 11246 prohibits discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Provisions to effectuate this prohibition must be included in all contracts for capital projects exceeding $10,000. Implementing regulations may be found in 41 CFR Part 60.
  
  
• Minority/Women's Businesses, Executive Orders 11625, 12432, and 12138
  Under Executive Orders 11625, 12432, and 12138, PJs must prescribe procedures acceptable to HUD for a minority outreach program to ensure that they are making concerted efforts to attract minority groups to the procurement process. See the Equal Employment Opportunity - Minority-owned Businesses section for examples of minority-outreach programs.
  
  
• Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968: Economic Opportunities for Low- and Very Low-Income Persons
  This section of the HUD Act of 1968 requires that, to the greatest extent possible, opportunities for training and employment arising from HOME will be provided to low- and very low-income persons residing in the program service area. Furthermore, contracts for all types of work to be performed in connection with HOME should, to the greatest extent feasible, be awarded to businesses that are located in or owned by persons residing in the program service area.
  
  
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974, as amended
  This section of the Rehabilitation Act of 1974 prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in all programs or activities receiving Federal assistance. The prohibition extends to employees of Federally assisted projects and requires that they receive equal treatment and consideration. The legal authority of Section 504 is outlined in 24 CFR Part 8.