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07/15/2025

SPHA IN THE NEWS: Youth Champions Program Extended

Exterior of the Jordan Park Clubhouse building.
Exterior of the Jordan Park Clubhouse.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA), in partnership with the St. Petersburg Police Department, is continuing its support for local youth who have been exposed to violence.

The Youth Champions program offers youth a safe, supportive environment where they can begin to heal from trauma.

Launched in February 2025, the program has now been extended through June 2026.

The once-a-month Saturday sessions are held in the Jordan Park Clubhouse. They feature youth yoga, meditation, and discussions with licensed mental health providers.

SPHA IN THE NEWS:

 

SPHA extends its thanks to the St. Petersburg Police Department.

To learn more about the Youth Champions program, contact: SocialServices@StPeteHA.org.

 

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.