SPHA Honored with 2010 NAHRO Award of Merit

ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) notified the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) this week that its Section 3 Resident Skills Assessment program will be recognized with a 2010 Award of Merit in Housing and Community Development at their summer conference. This marks the third housing industry award that SPHA’s pro-active resident outreach and skills assessment initiative has received since 2010.

Chief Executive Officer Darrell Irions said, “On behalf of our Board of Commissioners and staff, we are honored to be a recipient of this prestigious national award. The Resident Skills Assessment program afforded us the opportunity to better connect with public housing residents on a “one-on-one” basis by utilizing the case-work style management skills of Catholic Charities. Many residents were willing to take a leap of faith and expand their horizons, which allowed them to become more active in improving their quality of life and to consider options to reduce their dependence of government assistance.”

The housing authority’s goal for the Section 3 Resident Skills Assessment program, which took place from March 2010 to March 2011, was to make personal contact with all public housing residents, in order to identify and assist those who were ready, willing and able to work. As a direct result of this innovative program, 47 public housing residents received skills assessments and job training, and fourteen residents found permanent employment. The Resident Skills Assessment program was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Capital Fund Recovery Grant (CFRG).

The federally mandated Section 3 program requires that housing authorities provide on-going job training, employment and contract opportunities for low or very-low income residents in connection with projects and activities in their neighborhoods. More information about the Section 3 and the Resident Skills Assessment program can be found on SPHA’s website at http://www.stpeteha.org/section3.htm.

Through the years, NAHRO has recognized several of SPHA's other programs and initiatives, including the Economies of Scale program, the Jordan Park HOPE VI redevelopment program, and the Fraud Recovery program, with its national merit awards.

UPDATE (As of August 17, 2011): SPHA Commissioner Lucinda Spire accepted the Award of Merit at NAHRO's national conference on July 28, 2011, as pictured below.

About St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA):

The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is a public body corporate that has a 70+ year history of developing and administering affordable housing programs within its jurisdictional area, which includes St. Petersburg and a 10-mile radius outside of the city. Consistently scored as a “High Performer” on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assessments, SPHA provides housing assistance to more than 3,400 families. More information about SPHA’s programs and services can be found at www.stpeteha.org.

About National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO):
NAHRO is the leading housing and community development advocate for the provision of adequate and affordable housing and strong, viable communities for all Americans—particularly those with low- and moderate-incomes. Its members administer HUD programs such as Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, CDBG and HOME. More information about NAHRO can be found at www.nahro.org.