Darrell Irions
A graduate of The University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Master of Arts in Psychology, Darrell Irions served as an Officer, in both active duty and reserve capacity, in the United States Marine Corps. Darrell Irions has worked in senior capacities for a number of public housing agencies, including those in Lincoln as well as in Denver, Chicago, and St. Petersburg, Florida. Since 1995, Darrell Irions has served the city of St. Petersburg and the surrounding area as the Chief Executive Officer of the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA). During his time at the SPHA, Irions has launched a number of programs and initiatives aimed at improving the effectiveness and financial health of the Housing Authority.
Following the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's call to reduce areas of concentrated poverty and to increase resident self-sufficiency, Darrell Irions has supported strategies to increase the availability of affordable housing throughout SPHA's jurisdiction, while encouraging residents to explore business, education, and employment opportunities. SPHA's five-year strategic plan created by the Board of Commissioners calls for the sale of commercial property that does not directly support the agency's mission and the identification of future residential properties in nontraditional public housing areas. In support of this plan, Irions has negotiated deals that generated substantial income for the Housing Authority, enabling it to move away from large, unmanageable complexes to smaller, more affordable housing properties better integrated into their neighborhoods.
Under Irions' leadership, SPHA also has secured federal grant money to improve the quality and appearance of the Housing Authority’s housing developments. As a former service member, Darrell Irions has made it a particular mission to address the unacceptably disproportionate rates of homelessness among the country’s veterans. Through the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, SPHA staff are working with the Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Medical Center to find housing for 195 eligible homeless veterans, contingent on their motivation to continue treatment and improve their individual circumstances. Irions also has plans for the Housing Authority to develop an accessible facility for St. Petersburg residents wounded in military service.
Under Darrell Irions’ leadership, the St. Petersburg Housing Authority has earned numerous accolades from national nonprofit organizations and the federal government, including the highest possible level of recognition from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For his extensive record of accomplishments and demonstrated commitment to his work, Darrell Irions is recognized as one of the nation’s leading public housing industry experts. He also served on the global Board of Governors of the USO, Inc., having received an appointment to that position by President George W. Bush.
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