Chief Executive Officer, St. Petersburg Housing Authority
As Chief Executive Officer of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA), Darrell Irions is responsible for the development and administration of affordable housing programs for low-income families within an area that includes St. Petersburg and a 10-mile radius outside of the city. After nearly two decades in this post, Mr. Irions has led the SPHA to the distinction of a High Performer, as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Earning and maintaining this recognition from among 3,200 housing authorities nationwide is a testament to the leadership and dedication of Darrell Irions and the entire staff at the SPHA. The housing authority's Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 programs have consistently earned High Performer ratings from HUD. SPHA currently provides housing assistance to more than 3,400 Bay-area families and is looking to expand this number through the acquisition or development of more properties. Recently, SPHA purchased a 38-unit apartment complex for income-eligible senior citizens, which is the first property in the agency's Public Housing program that exclusively serves seniors. Additionally, in March 2012, Darrell Irions hosted the first Wounded Warrior Housing Community Advisory Group meeting to begin the planning process of providing assistance to wounded veterans, who are returning to Florida and in need of affordable housing options. Providing housing for veterans, through units developed by SPHA or through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing voucher program, is a priority for SPHA's Board of Commissioners and Darrell Irions. As SPHA and Darrell Irions continue the work of offering training and educational courses and scholarship opportunities for local residents, they will also seek to add new, innovative programs to enhance the work they have already done with the Economies of Scale program, the Jordan Park HOPE VI redevelopment program, the Section 3 program, and the Fraud Recovery program, which have all gained national recognition.