Jordan Park Redevelopment Project receives national recognition
Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County wins NALHFA Redevelopment Award of Excellence for Jordan Park
Article Courtesy of St. Petersburg Housing Authority
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 2, 2024, 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.