St. Petersburg Housing Authority Engages with U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor's Congressional Youth Cabinet
TAMPA, FL (MAY 6, 2026) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) participated in a Mock Congressional Hearing hosted as part of U.S. Representative Kathy Castor's Congressional Youth Cabinet, providing local high school students with the opportunity to engage directly with housing experts on the issue of housing affordability in the Tampa Bay region.
The event took place on May 5, 2026, at the HART Administrative Offices in Ybor City and marked the culmination of several months of learning and collaboration among Youth Cabinet participants.
SPHA's Vice President of Housing Choice Voucher, Larry Gonzalez, served as an expert witness during the hearing, offering insight and answering questions from students as they explored solutions to address housing challenges in the Tampa Bay area.
Launched in Fall 2025 by Congresswoman Castor, the Congressional Youth Cabinet provides Tampa Bay students with a platform to discuss public policy issues, learn about the legislative process, and explore ways to become active participants in shaping their communities. Throughout the semester, students met regularly to examine housing affordability in Tampa Bay, ultimately preparing for the hearing by developing questions and potential policy recommendations.
"SPHA is proud to support initiatives that empower young people to engage in meaningful conversations about issues that impact their communities," said Michael Lundy, President and CEO of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority. "Opportunities like this help foster the next generation of leaders while bringing fresh perspectives to complex challenges like housing affordability."
SPHA values its continued partnership with Congresswoman Castor and is honored to contribute to efforts that amplify student voices and encourage civic engagement.
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.
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor's Congressional Youth Cabinet, May 5, 2026.
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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 individuals with disabilities in the greater St. Petersburg region. For more information, visit www.stpeteha.org.
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