How to apply for Indian River County Community Development — Rental Assistance + SHIP in Florida
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 = $57,300 for 1-person household 2026 in Vero Beach MSA) is the published 2026 SHIP/HUD 80% limit (Florida Housing Finance Corporation, effective 5/1/2026); 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).
People who qualify for one senior program often qualify for others. See everything you may qualify for — free, no SSN, about five minutes.
Discover my benefitsWhat 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
What to say when you call
"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Indian River County Community Development — Rental Assistance + SHIP. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may 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) — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"
Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.
Renewals
subject to funding availability; CDBG/HOME/SHIP cycles vary
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Discover my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.