Jordan Park Redevelopment Project Receives National Recognition
Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County wins NALHFA Redevelopment Award of Excellence for Jordan Park
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (MAY 7, 2024) - The National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA) announced its Award of Excellence winners during its Annual Business Meeting and Award of Excellence Recognition event on May 2nd at the NALHFA Annual Conference held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County won the Redevelopment Award of Excellence for Jordan Park.
"The St. Petersburg Housing Authority congratulates the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, and we are honored to share in the recognition of this award," said St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) President/CEO Michael Lundy. "This acknowledgment underscores the transformative impact of collaborative efforts in providing affordable housing solutions for our community."
The award was accepted at the NALHFA conference by SPHA Director of Communications Nick Fokianos. "This award is a testament to all the hard work of everyone involved in the Jordan Park redevelopment project," said Fokianos.
The NALHFA Award of Excellence is the most prestigious recognition award in the local affordable housing finance community. The award recognizes the mission-driven work that NALHFA members do in their local communities to provide affordable housing to those who need it most.
"The Award of Excellence Committee spends dedicated time reviewing project submissions from a wide array of impressive candidates. Housing finance agencies from across the country showcase their innovative solutions for improving the ever-present affordable housing crisis America faces," said NALHFA President Dawn Arnold. "We are inspired by this year's projects which demonstrate creative housing strategies for communities in need. Our 2024 winners are a reflection of the remarkable work all of our members do year-round to spread NALHFA's mission of innovating the future of affordable housing."
During the conference, NALHFA membership elected Kathryn Driver, Executive Director of the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, to the NALHFA Board of Directors for a two-year term.
Jordan Park holds a special place in the history of St. Petersburg, serving as the city's first African American public housing complex. It was originally built between 1939 and 1941. SPHA transitioned the property to Project-Based Vouchers, allowing all residents to pay no more than 30% of their income towards their rent and utilities.
SPHA began the redevelopment of the Jordan Park community in January 2022. The project involved renovating existing family apartments and construction of a brand-new, 60-unit, senior mid-rise building, named "The Legacy at Jordan Park." The new building was designed by Robert Reid Wedding Architects, developed by Norstar Development USA, LP, and constructed by NSBF, LLC. The Jordan Park redevelopment project was completed in October 2023.
NALHFA Award of Excellence Recognition event on May 2, 2024 at the NALHFA Annual Conference held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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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.
About the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County:
The mission of the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County is to provide safe, decent, affordable housing for low to moderate income households. The HFA assists first-time home buyers and also works with local governments, non-profits and other public and private partners to provide funding for affordable multi-family rental housing.
About the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA):
The National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA), founded in 1982, is the national association of professionals working to finance affordable housing in the broader community development context at the local level. As a non-profit association, NALHFA is an advocate before Congress and federal agencies on legislative and regulatory issues affecting affordable housing and provides technical assistance and educational opportunities to its members and the public. Members are city and county agencies, non-profits, and private firms, such as underwriters, consultants, financial advisers, bond counsel, and rating agencies, which help in producing housing from concept to completion.