The Lakeland Housing Authority (LHA) has been selected as the 2026 Outstanding Agency by the Florida Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (FAHRO), recognizing the Authority’s continued commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and improving the quality of life for residents throughout the Lakeland community.
The recognition was announced during FAHRO’s statewide conference in Fort Lauderdale, where housing and redevelopment professionals from across Florida gathered to celebrate outstanding leadership and achievement within the industry.
LHA’s selection reflects a strong record of high performance across several areas of service and community impact.
A Record of Excellence
Among the accomplishments contributing to the recognition is LHA’s continued exceptional performance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Authority recently earned its sixth consecutive perfect score for its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, demonstrating consistent compliance, effective program administration, and a continued focus on serving families with excellence.
LHA has also been recognized for its commitment to creating a strong and supportive workplace. CareerSource Polk recently named the Authority an Employer of Distinction, building upon previous multi-year recognition as one of the area’s best workplaces.
Investing in Lakeland's Youth
The Authority’s commitment extends beyond housing.
For more than 16 years, YouthBuild Lakeland has provided education, workforce development, leadership training, and career opportunities for young people in the community. The program recently received a $2 million grant renewal from the U.S. Department of Labor, supporting its continued mission of helping participants develop the skills and experience needed to build successful futures.
Recognition of Community Impact and Innovation
FAHRO’s Outstanding Agency recognition considers several areas of organizational achievement, including:
High-performing agency status and operational excellence
Programs and initiatives that improve residents’ quality of life
Innovative practices designed to address local housing and community needs
Effective leadership and responsible stewardship of housing programs
Being selected as the 2026 Outstanding Agency reflects the collective work of LHA’s Board of Commissioners, leadership team, employees, community partners, and residents.
The award reinforces LHA’s commitment to providing quality affordable housing while creating opportunities that strengthen families and contribute to a stronger Lakeland community.
Lakeland Housing Authority is honored to represent Lakeland among Florida’s leading housing agencies and remains committed to building on this achievement through innovation, service, and meaningful community partnerships.
