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11/14/2024

St. Petersburg Housing Authority Announces Speakers for Ribbon-Cutting of New Jordan Park Community Food Pantry

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (NOVEMBER 14, 2024) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is proud to announce the establishment of a new food pantry at Jordan Park.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Jordan Park Community Food Pantry will be held:

  • Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024
  • Time: 2:30 PM
  • Location: Jordan Park Clubhouse - 1245 Jordan Park Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Michael Lundy, President and CEO of SPHA, expressed his excitement for the initiative, stating, "This new food pantry represents more than just access to essential groceries; it symbolizes our commitment to creating opportunities for stronger communities. We are proud to support our Jordan Park residents with this resource."

The pantry was spearheaded by Kiara Lovett, Director of Social Services at SPHA, who played a key role in organizing the initiative. "We're thrilled to be able to provide this service to our Jordan Park families. The food pantry will offer a sense of security for many households," said Lovett.

Speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony will include:

  • Michael Lundy, President and CEO, St. Petersburg Housing Authority
  • Kiara Lovett, Director of Social Services, St. Petersburg Housing Authority
  • John Muhammad, City of St. Petersburg Council Member, District 7
  • Corey Givens Jr., City of St. Petersburg Council Member-elect, District 7
  • Frank Kneen, Community Food Program Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast

SPHA extends its gratitude to its incredible partners who made the food pantry possible:

The Jordan Park Community Food Pantry will be open to Jordan Park residents every Thursday from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and it is located at the Jordan Park Clubhouse.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast team members in the Jordan Park Community Food Pantry.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast team members in the Jordan Park Community Food Pantry.

 

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ABOUT JORDAN PARK:

Jordan Park is known for being St. Petersburg's first African American housing community and the oldest federal public housing project in the state. It was originally built between 1939 and 1941.

On November 23, 2021, the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) received approval from HUD for its Jordan Park redevelopment proposal, which would change the funding structure from Public Housing to Project-Based Vouchers and put the long-awaited community revitalization project into motion. The Jordan Park Redevelopment Project consisted of the following elements:

  • Transitioning the Jordan Park family apartments (206 units) from Public Housing to a Project-Based Voucher (PBV) funding platform.
  • Renovation of the 206 Family Units (i.e. new flooring, countertops, cabinets, washers and dryers in units, safety features, energy-efficiency improvements, etc.)
  • Construction of a new three-story, 60-unit senior midrise building (for households 62 years and older) named "The Legacy at Jordan Park."

On December 14, 2021, SPHA closed on Jordan Park in partnership with co-developer Norstar Development USA, LP, and with the investment of Fannie Mae, KeyBank, and

RBC Community Investments. Partners also included the bond issuer, the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, and the City of St. Petersburg, which provided Community Redevelopment Area funding.

On October 27, 2023, SPHA held the grand opening of "The Legacy at Jordan Park," and celebrated the completion of the newly renovated 206 Jordan Park Family Units.

 

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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