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02/10/2025

SPHA IN THE NEWS: SPHA Strengthening Resources for Jordan Park Youth

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (FEBRUARY 10, 2025) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is expanding resources and opportunities for youth living in Jordan Park through new mentorship programming and activities.

SPHA IN THE NEWS:

 

SPHA offers free after-school programs in Jordan Park, such as a tutoring program in partnership with Exceeding Grace Christian Church and an arts program hosted by the Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA).

"What we noticed was a lot of kids idle in the community. And we brought a couple of organization heads together, community leadership, City of St. Pete heavily involved, and we wanted to collaborate to provide opportunities," said Kiara Lovett, SPHA Director of Social Services.

SPHA's newest partnership is with St. Petersburg College (SPC). The SPC C.A.R.E. (Career Awareness and Readiness Events) Youth Development Initiative with Jordan Park is a career exposure initiative designed to connect the youth of Jordan Park to various cutting-edge fields.

"A lot of the youth don't know a lot of opportunities. They don't get to see a lot of that in their day-to day-lives, and I feel like that is important. It is important to know that life is limitless. But it's also about empowering our parents so they can also build on their children's success as well," said Lovett.

Michael Lundy, President and CEO of SPHA, emphasized the importance of collaboration in creating opportunities for youth. "Our partnership with St. Petersburg College is about providing young people with the guidance, exposure, and resources they need to build a successful future," said Lundy. By working together, we're investing in the next generation and strengthening our community."

The goal of the new resources is to empower and enrich the lives of the children living in Jordan Park. "I'm hoping that they know that they have a community that cares, that is invested in their success, and that they are loved," said Lovett.

Lovett said additional programing is in the pipeline for the Jordan Park Youth Program. She added that they are always looking for new partnerships and ways to help support the programs. If you would like to help, email SocialServices@StPeteHA.org.

SPHA is the leading affordable housing provider in the city of St. Petersburg, serving more than 4,000 low-income households. SPHA's mission is to provide safe, sanitary, accessible, decent, and affordable housing to eligible citizens of the city of St. Petersburg, while enhancing and promoting resident self-sufficiency.

 

Group of youth participating in Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA) arts program.

Jordan Park youth participating in Warehouse Arts District Association (WADA) arts program.

 

ABOUT JORDAN PARK:

Jordan Park is a historic housing community managed by the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA). It 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, 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. SPHA also celebrated the completion of the surrounding 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.