SPHA Redevelopment Plan for Former Edward White Hospital Gains Approval and Funding from Pinellas County
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (FEBRUARY 19, 2024) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is pleased to announce that its project proposal for the redevelopment of the former Edward White Hospital has received approval and funding from the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners. The board's decision, made on January 30, 2024, marks yet another significant step forward in SPHA's plan to redevelop the former hospital into affordable housing for local seniors, in addition to serving as SPHA's new headquarters.
The approved project will receive funding through the ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Nonprofit Capital Project Fund, with the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners allocating $500,000.00 to the RISE Development Corporation. RISE Development Corporation, the nonprofit arm of SPHA, focuses on creating more affordable rental housing options in the Greater St. Petersburg region through the construction or renovation of multi-family properties.
Pinellas Community Foundation, in collaboration with Pinellas County government, is leading the county's nonprofit granting efforts to support capital needs in response to and in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This granting effort utilizes funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act.
"This approval is a testament to Pinellas County's dedication to affordable housing," said Michael Lundy, President and CEO of SPHA. "We are now well-positioned to commence construction and bring our vision to reality."
The redevelopment plan for the Edward White building is estimated to be a $38 million project in total. Once redeveloped, the six-story, 121,000-square-foot building in the North Kenwood neighborhood will feature 71 apartments for low-income seniors. In addition, the property will house SPHA's new headquarters, plus 1,939 square feet of leasable office space.
"When Mr. Lundy was hired as CEO, our board entrusted him with advancing critical housing development projects forward and moving our staff to a more centralized and accessible location for our clients," said SPHA Board Chairman James Dates. "The Edward White Hospital redevelopment project signifies significant progress toward achieving both of these important goals. With the support of our county partners, I'm excited about this upcoming redevelopment and the positive impact it will have on our community."
SPHA serves more than 4,000 low-income households in St. Petersburg and part of their mission is to enhance and promote resident self-sufficiency. They do this through a variety of social services programs with SPHA's team offering one-on-one support, tools and resources.
The planned redevelopment of the former Edward White Hospital is another way that SPHA is working to create opportunities for stronger communities. The project is expected to break ground on construction in mid-2024.
Architectural visualization of the transformed Edward White Hospital site.
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About The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA):
An independent quasi-governmental entity and a political subdivision of the State of Florida, operating under Chapter 421 Florida Statutes, SPHA is the local administrative agency for housing assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SPHA offers a variety of programs and services that provide affordable rental housing to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and the disabled in the greater St. Petersburg region. For more information, visit www.stpeteha.org.
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