St. Petersburg Housing Authority Brings Community Together with Spring Family Picnic Event in Jordan Park
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (MARCH 12, 2026) – The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) hosted a Spring Family Picnic event in Jordan Park for SPHA residents on March 10, 2026. The event brought together SPHA families and community partners for an afternoon focused on connection, wellness, and neighborhood unity.
SPHA residents enjoyed outdoor activities, accessed helpful community resources, and strengthened relationships with neighbors and local organizations.
SPHA was also pleased to welcome St. Petersburg City Council Member Corey Givens Jr. to the event.
The event was generously sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg (www.stpete.org).
Event Highlight:
A highlight of the event was a youth martial arts demonstration by SPHA students enrolled in the Shihan School of Survival (www.shihansos.com).
SPHA’s Jordan Park Youth Program introduced martial arts classes last year in partnership with the Shihan School of Survival. SPHA youth showcased the martial arts skills they have developed in the class.
Founded by Shihan Walter Evans, the Shihan School of Survival is dedicated to empowering youth through Jujitsu and Karate training. The program addresses challenges such as youth obesity, violence, bullying, gang activity, criminal behavior, suicide, drug use, and other societal issues by providing students with positive outlets for growth and self-improvement.
Additional Event Highlights:
Prescription eyeglasses for youth by Moxy Vision Program: https://moxyvisionprogram.org
Fresh produce market by Positive Impact St. Pete: https://positiveimpact.org
A thrilling tree climb activity by Pathfinder Outdoor Education: www.pathfinderoutdooreducation.org
Music & DJ entertainment by DJ Dondy: https://djdondy.com
Face painting by Face Painting Brittni: https://facepaintingbrittni.as.me
Balloon creations by Awesome Austin’s Entertainment: www.hopp.bio/awesome-austin
Community Partnerships:
The event was coordinated by Kiara Lovett, SPHA’s Director of Social Services, who emphasized the importance of community partnerships. “We are proud to bring residents and community partners together through events that promote engagement, support services, and meaningful connections,” said Lovett. “We are grateful for the organizations that continue investing in our residents and communities.”
Thank You to Community Partners:
Bay Area Legal Services: https://bals.org
BayCare: https://baycare.org
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tampa Bay: www.bgctampa.org
Daystar Life Center: https://daystarlife.org
Empath Health: https://empathhealth.org
Evara Health: https://evarahealth.org
Keep Pinellas Beautiful: www.kpbcares.org
Lutheran Services Florida: www.lsfnet.org
NAMI Pinellas County: https://nami-pinellas.org
R’Club – HIPPY Program: www.rclub.net/service/hippy-program
Rise and Thrive Foundation: https://riseandthrivefoundation.org
The Sanderlin Center: https://sanderlinfamilycenter.org
S.T.O.R.Y 727: https://story727.org
St. Petersburg College (SPC): www.spcollege.edu
St. Petersburg Library System: www.splibraries.org
St. Petersburg Police Department: https://police.stpete.org
Learn More:
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.
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ABOUT JORDAN PARK:
Jordan Park is a historic housing community managed by the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA). 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.
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