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11/25/2024

SPHA IN THE NEWS - St. Petersburg Housing Authority Opens New Food Pantry in Jordan Park

SPHA IN THE NEWS:

 

 

 

 

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (NOVEMBER 25, 2024) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is proud to announce the establishment of a new food pantry in the Jordan Park community. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Jordan Park Community Food Pantry was held on November 21, 2024.

"This food pantry represents more than just access to essential groceries; it symbolizes our commitment to creating opportunities for stronger communities," said Michael Lundy, President and CEO of SPHA. "I would describe this community as a family who happens to live close to one another. A lot of people have known each other for quite some time. They lived in this community before we did the renovation and they're back here after, so they consider themselves family."

The idea for the food pantry originated from SPHA's community partner, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, as part of their after-school food program. SPHA's Director of Social Services, Kiara Lovett, collaborated with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast to bring the initiative to life. "Having the pantry on-site eliminates many barriers," Lovett explained. "It warms my heart to see the smiles on residents' faces and the youth volunteering alongside their parents. It's truly rewarding."

The food pantry is managed with the help of a dedicated team of teens from the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, who stock, organize, and operate the pantry on a weekly basis.

Other partners supporting the Jordan Park Community Food Pantry include Dole, St. Pete Free Clinic, the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Partnership for a Healthier America, and the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation.

Corey Givens Jr., Council Member-elect for District 7 and a Jordan Park native, gave an impassioned speech at Thursday's ribbon-cutting ceremony. "For far too long, Jordan Park was overlooked, overshadowed, and ignored. I am elated to see this making a positive impact here," Givens said. "I promise that as a partner of yours on the St. Pete City Council, we will do all we can to keep this pantry full."

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

Group of officials about to cut a yellow ribbon at Jordan Park Community Food Pantry.

The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony of the Jordan Park Community Food Pantry was held on November 21, 2024.

 

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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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