CEO of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) since 1995, Darrell Irions has implemented a number of important community outreach initiatives over the course of his tenure with the agency. Among these, SPHA has participated in service projects like “Paint the Saint,” led a community involvement effort to determine the local need for veteran housing, and pioneered a demonstration program to provide housing to young adults who have aged out of foster care.
Under Mr. Irions’ direction, SPHA also works to provide its residents with access to jobs and with opportunities to continue their education. Through “Lunch and Learn” seminars, the Section 3 Resident Training program, and the college scholarship program, SPHA is able to help residents reach self-sufficiency and move away from reliance on government housing subsidy. In 2012, SPHA was proud to announce that one of its residents received a $2,500 college scholarship from the Housing Authority Insurance Group, an annual grant given to 50 students across the nation.
In addition, SPHA is committed to helping families succeed. Along with local partners, SPHA hosts an annual Father’s Day event at its central office to celebrate families and to encourage responsible fatherhood among residents. In addition to fun activities and entertainment, the event provides fathers with the information and resources that they need to create healthy families and to achieve a more stable future.
Under Mr. Irions’ direction, SPHA also works to provide its residents with access to jobs and with opportunities to continue their education. Through “Lunch and Learn” seminars, the Section 3 Resident Training program, and the college scholarship program, SPHA is able to help residents reach self-sufficiency and move away from reliance on government housing subsidy. In 2012, SPHA was proud to announce that one of its residents received a $2,500 college scholarship from the Housing Authority Insurance Group, an annual grant given to 50 students across the nation.
In addition, SPHA is committed to helping families succeed. Along with local partners, SPHA hosts an annual Father’s Day event at its central office to celebrate families and to encourage responsible fatherhood among residents. In addition to fun activities and entertainment, the event provides fathers with the information and resources that they need to create healthy families and to achieve a more stable future.