Our campaign seeks to address and challenge the systemic issues perpetuated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in its administration of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. We believe that HUD's actions, under the guise of addressing "blight" and "distressed communities," have, in reality, contributed to gentrification—systematically displacing low-income residents and depriving them of the economic opportunities promised under Section 3.

What is Section 3?

Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 was established to ensure that the economic opportunities generated by HUD-funded projects are directed towards low- and very low-income persons, particularly those residing in HUD-assisted housing. It mandates that recipients of HUD funding prioritize employment, training, and contracting opportunities for these individuals and Section 3 businesses.

The Basis of Our Complaint

Our research has uncovered significant failures by HUD and its associated entities, such as the Raleigh Housing Authority and the City of Raleigh, in enforcing Section 3. Despite repeated requests for information through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and other administrative channels, HUD has consistently failed to provide transparency and accountability. Critical information about Section 3 compliance, including how funds are allocated and whether economic opportunities are genuinely being extended to those who need them most, has been withheld or inadequately reported.

We allege that HUD’s neglect in enforcing Section 3 has effectively starved communities of economic opportunities, thereby facilitating gentrification and contributing to the widening wealth gap. This is evidenced by HUD's continued funding of projects without ensuring that the associated economic benefits reach low-income residents as intended.

Why This Campaign?

After years of seeking justice through formal requests and being met with obfuscation and delay, we are left with no choice but to launch this national campaign for social and economic justice. Our goal is to hold HUD and other responsible parties accountable for their legal obligations under Section 3 and to ensure that the economic benefits from HUD-funded projects are directed to the low-income communities they are meant to serve.

In support of this mission, Can I Live Housing Authority and SOS Consulting Firm

launched a national scavenger hunt through its WealthFair Tour, a campaign aimed at uncovering the more than $18.9 billion triggered every year by Section 3. This tour involved an RV that traveled to housing trade shows, showcasing how simple Section 3 compliance could be through strategic partnerships. At one point, these partnerships required no financial contribution from Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). However, despite the clear benefits, the PHA industry largely showed disinterest. Out of 3,000 agencies, only 3 were willing to engage and support the initiative.

This lack of interest signifies more than just negligence—it reflects a systemic issue where PHAs, confident that HUD will neither enforce compliance nor hold them accountable, feel no pressure to adhere to Section 3 requirements. After being repeatedly dismissed with responses like "we're not interested" or "we have no more public housing stock, so there's no need to enforce Section 3," Can I Live

decided to shift the conversation to the court of public opinion—taking the matter directly to the families, who are often unjustly characterized as indifferent.

We believe that families do care and that taxpayers should be aware of how the current system perpetuates poverty instead of addressing it. Our campaign is a call to action for transparency, accountability, and real change in how HUD funds are managed and utilized to truly benefit the communities they are intended to uplift.