The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) is hosting its next “Doing Business with PHA” — an opportunity to expand minority business collaboration between contractors and PHA — Dec. 3 at Greater Grays Ferry Estates, at 1800 S. 32 Street, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Information will be provided in Spanish and there will be an interpreter for Spanish-speaking attendees.

Prospective vendors can register to be included in PHA’s bid lists, learn about contract opportunities, prequalification, submitting proposals, bidding procedures, Section 3 compliance, minority and women-owned business participation, supplier financing, as well as bonding and insurance requirements.

As the year comes to an end, PHA announced that the agency surpassed its goals for contracts and subcontracts with Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs).

As the country’s fourth largest housing authority, serving nearly 80,000 residents, PHA participating rate for MBEs was 42 percent while the rate for WBEs was 33 percent for the year-long period that ended Sept. 30.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) established goals of 20 percent for MBEs and 10 percent WBEs, according to PHA. “The agency improved its numbers in comparison to the previous year when it awarded 30 percent of its contractual dollars to MBEs and 26 percent to WBEs.”

On the MBE contract awards, 31 went to African-American businesses, six went to Latino business owners, and seven went to Asian Pacific American companies. In terms of WBE ledger, 13 companies are owned by African Americans and one is owned by an Asian Pacific American.

“Expanding supplier diversity and increasing MBE/WBE participation is something our board and management are committed to,” said PHA president and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah. “We regularly review and refine our policies and procedures, so that we can further improve upon our record. PHA is an economic engine in the City and supporting MBE/WBE businesses is an important part of our support for the local economy.”