Benefits · General Assistance
How to apply for Indian River County Community Development — Rental Assistance + SHIP
Indian River County Community Development Department
Who it's for
Indian River County's Community Development Department administers the county's housing-focused safety-net programs. Rental assistance is available for income-eligible Indian River households facing eviction or housing instability, with funding flowing through both federal CDBG / HOME and state SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) sources. The county also operates owner-occupied housing rehabilitation and downpayment assistance programs for income-qualified residents. For utility assistance and emergency aid beyond rental, Indian River residents typically access partner nonprofits including United Way of Indian River County and the Senior Resource Association — SRA's integrated senior services portfolio includes information and referral to current emergency aid options. The Community Development Department is located at the County Admin Complex Building A at 1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with drive-thru service 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Apply through the Community Development portal at ircgov.com/communitydevelopment/rental or call the County Admin Complex.
Indian River County's safety-net structure is housing-focused rather than utility-focused. The Community Development Department handles rental assistance, SHIP-funded rehab, and housing programs; for utility crisis aid, residents typically work through United Way of Indian River County or Senior Resource Association (SRA) referrals. The income gate modeled here (~80% AMI / $47,000 for 1-person household 2026 in Vero Beach MSA) is the typical SHIP threshold; specific sub-programs may use stricter gates. Funding availability varies by program cycle — check current intake status before applying. For seniors specifically, contacting SRA at 772-569-0760 first can route you efficiently to the right intake (SRA's information and referral function is designed exactly for this navigation).
What you'll need
- Government-issued photo ID for the applicant
- Proof of Indian River County residency
- Proof of household income (pay stubs, Social Security award letter, SSA-1099, tax return)
- Documentation of the financial hardship or housing instability
- Eviction notice or past-due rent statement
- Lease or rental agreement
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 772-226-1416
Renewals
subject to funding availability; CDBG/HOME/SHIP cycles vary
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.