St. Petersburg Housing Authority Hosts Visit from HUD PDAS Richard Monocchio

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (DECEMBER 4, 2024) – The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) was honored to host a visit from Richard J. Monocchio, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) of HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH), on December 3, 2024.

The meeting was organized by the Bay Area Apartment Association (BAAA). The association currently represents over 250,000 apartment homes in the Greater Tampa Bay Area. They are a not-for-profit trade association serving the interests of the rental housing industry. SPHA is a proud member of BAAA.

The National Apartment Association (NAA) is working with local affiliates, like BAAA, to organize meetings like this one all across the country, in partnership with HUD.

The meeting took place at SPHA’s Central Office in St. Petersburg, where key housing leaders gathered to discuss critical topics affecting the region and the housing industry at large.

Attendees included:
• Michael Lundy, President and CEO, St. Petersburg Housing Authority
• Carolyn Avington, Vice President of Finance/CFO, St. Petersburg Housing Authority
• Larry Gonzalez, Vice President of Housing Choice Voucher, St. Petersburg Housing Authority
• Neil Brickfield, Executive Director, Pinellas County Housing Authority
• Margaret Jones, Director of Assisted Housing, Tampa Housing Authority
• Charessa Doty, COO, Clearwater Housing Authority

The meeting covered several topics, including: funding, special considerations for hurricane-impacted areas, and challenges related to the new National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE).

Michael Lundy, SPHA President and CEO, remarked on the importance of the visit, “Hosting PDAS Monocchio at SPHA was a tremendous honor. His insights in the housing industry are invaluable as we continue to navigate challenges and advocate for policies that benefit our residents.”

PDAS Monocchio has served in several city government capacities for the City of Chicago as Buildings Commissioner, Aviation Chief of Staff, and First Deputy Housing Commissioner. He has also worked on the federal level, serving in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Clinton Administration. Prior to that, he served as senior advisor to the late U.S. Rep. George E. Sangmeister.

PDAS Monocchio’s leadership is marked by a commitment to building community around the strengths and needs of residents. Through his leadership, dozens of recreational, educational, and vocational programs have been implemented to serve families and children in assisted housing.

SPHA extends its gratitude to PDAS Monocchio for his visit and his continued dedication to enhancing the quality of life for those served by HUD programs.