St. Petersburg Housing Authority Celebrates 85th Anniversary with New Look and Renewed Vision

The new logos for both SPHA and its nonprofit arm, RISE Development Corporation, were designed by Brooks Jeffrey Marketing. Bright colors and imagery create a more friendly, inviting design, better representing SPHA and its mission. In addition, a new tagline for SPHA was added, which summarizes the agency's renewed vision for the future.

 

During an August 30, 2022, soft launch event unveiling the new logos to agency staff and stakeholders, SPHA President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Lundy, said, "In thinking about our new tagline, 'Creating Opportunities for Stronger Communities', I think about affordable housing as being the central focus, with supportive services, jobs, business opportunities, strong leadership, and partnerships being the connective tissue. I'm happy to say, with the support of our community partners, we've already made significant progress, and plans are underway to bring the housing authority even closer to the people we serve."

 

Chairperson James Dates, SPHA Board of Commissioners, said, "I want to assure you that this is a different housing authority than we were when I joined this board in 2019. The addition of Mr. Lundy and some of the folks he brought, plus staff that we already had here, this is a great group, and we are laser-focused on the mission."

 

That mission includes increasing affordable housing stock in St. Petersburg and working to close the affordable housing gap. In addition to the redevelopment of historic Jordan Park, which is on track to be completed in 2023, SPHA has plans to build additional affordable housing properties over the next several years, including the redevelopment of the former Ed White Hospital for senior housing.

 

Pinellas County Commissioner Rene Flowers said, "I grew up in Jordan Park so I remember the old days, and, while they are quite nostalgic, we do know that change does happen, and it happens for the betterment of our community."

 

SPHA is also expanding efforts to support family self-sufficiency and is launching a new program that provides a path to homeownership for Housing Choice Voucher holders.

 

Gina Driscoll, chair of the St. Petersburg City Council, said, "This has been the most transformative time at the St. Petersburg Housing Authority. Today we have logos that really illustrate the bright future that's ahead because of the strong work that's being done...We are talking about not just housing for today, but homeownership for tomorrow."

 

Updates on SPHA's progress can be found on its newly updated website at www.stpeteha.org. The enhanced, responsive website includes the latest agency news and provides a better user experience for clients, landlords, community partners, and the general public.

 

The second oldest housing authority in the state of Florida, SPHA was created in 1937 by the federal government to provide safe, decent, and affordable housing for the working poor. Today, SPHA is the leading affordable housing provider in St. Petersburg, serving approximately 4,000 low-income households.

 

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.