Relocation FAQs

What has SPHA done to help the residents of Jordan Park relocate?
SPHA surveyed all Jordan Park residents regarding their relocation preferences during the week of January 11, 2021. Residents were also provided with possible options in a survey taken by SPHA staff (questionnaire) in October 2020. Another resident survey was conducted online in early June 2021.

SPHA has hired Social Services Coordinators to assist with mobility counseling and the relocation process. The relocation staff met one-on-one with residents to complete relocation assessments. The staff will also further assist family with identifying apartments, completing rental applications, and requesting payment for vendors from SPHA. Residents will be able to pursue housing in the local St. Petersburg area, or in anywhere else in the country where a local Public Housing Authority operates a voucher program.

Will I have to move away from St. Petersburg?
No. There is adequate housing in or near St. Petersburg for Jordan Park residents to move. While the demand for affordable housing in St. Petersburg is extremely high, SPHA recently increased its payment standards in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
Families will have the option to live anywhere in the country, including available units in St. Petersburg and surrounding cities with a housing authority operating a voucher program.

When will Jordan Park residents be required to move? Will they be evicted?
SPHA's Relocation Team will work with every family to find a new home. Eligible families will receive a Notice of Eligibility & Notice to Move by certified mail.

Residents who choose to move using a SPHA Housing Choice Voucher will have 60 to 90 days to locate suitable housing once they receive the Notice of Eligibility & Notice to Move. Residents who want to leave St. Petersburg must complete a Request for Portability form. The SPHA Relocation Team will also assist residents who require reasonable accommodations for their housing search.

NOTE: SPHA will continue to enforce the lease and residents that are found to be non-compliant with the lease may be evicted. Families that are evicted for non-compliance will not be eligible for relocation assistance.

Will there be counseling provided to families who may have no experience renting from a private landlord or living in private rental property?
Absolutely. SPHA relocation staff will be working closely with housing specialists to help ease the transition from public housing to SPHA-assisted private rental housing to make certain residents understand the terms of their new lease agreements.

What special consideration will be given to the special needs of elderly residents living in Jordan Park?
SPHA is doing everything possible to assist elderly residents who may have lived in St. Petersburg their entire lives. We will continue to meet with each elderly resident, asking them to tell us what THEY choose. Once they make a choice of what housing situation works best for them, our relocation team will work with them to facilitate a smooth transition into their new home.

Did you coordinate with the school district/city/state?
SPHA met with local school district leaders, community leaders, City and leadership and will continue to engage these partners before and during implementation of any relocation activities. SPHA remains in communication with local school districts to keep them apprised of relocation activities.

What will happen to the buildings at Jordan Park once residents have moved?
The construction of the new 60-unit Senior Midrise and the substantial rehabilitation of Phase 1 of the 206 family apartments will begin immediately. Once Phase 1 has been completely rehabilitated, Phase 2 residents that are on the PBV waitlist will be able to finalize the admission process and move into the renovated Phase 1 units. Phase 2, the final rehab phase, will begin as soon as the apartments are vacated, using the same plan as we used in Phase 1.

What happens to families that owe back rent or are otherwise not current on their payments to the SPHA?
SPHA staff are working  with residents of Jordan Park to locate community resources to help families relocate without debt to their new public housing authority or Section 8 unit. Families will not be eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) or a Project0Based Voucher (PBV) unit if they any owe money to SPHA and the voucher will be denied. Families will be notified if they are not eligible for a voucher due to a debt owed to the public housing program and given an opportunity to pay off the debt.

Families that are under a repayment agreement must pay off their entire balance to the public housing program before they can be issued a voucher; however, they will be eligible to transfer to another available public housing unit as long as they are in good standing and have made their payments on time.

SPHA will continue to enforce the lease and residents that are found to be non-compliant with the lease may be evicted. Families that are evicted for non-compliance will not be eligible for relocation assistance.

Will Jordan Park residents be required to pay for repairs to their current units?
Per the lease, residents will be responsible for any resident-caused damage, beyond normal wear and tear, for the remainder of their time in the unit. Residents that cause damage beyond normal wear and tear may not be eligible for a voucher. Repairs that are unrelated to resident-caused damage will be made at no cost to the residents.

Do you have more questions regarding the Jordan Park Relocation? Check out our Jordan Park Relocation FAQs page. (Spanish translation)

Do you have a question regarding The Legacy Jordan Park? Check out our Legacy at Jordan Park Senior Mid Rise FAQs page.

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