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Comprehensive Plan Housing Element Within Indian River County, a wide range of sites, from in -fill sites in moderate -cost older subdivisions to high-value waterfront locations, are available for new housing development. The inventory of sites ranges from lots in low-density single-family neighborhoods to sites zoned for medium density multi -family and condominium development. Infrastructure is also available in the county, and system capacities are expanded as necessary to meet the demands of new urban development. Along with adequate infrastructure, a full range of mortgage/financial services are also available in the county to serve housing consumers. Currently, Indian River County has permitting procedures for housing development and utilizes generally standard code requirements, impact fee programs and enforcement practices. For existing units, a property maintenance code applies within unincorporated Indian River County. There is, however, no ongoing systematic program of housing inspections in older areas of the county. In terms of housing construction permitting, those services for the unincorporated county and the City of Vero Beach are centralized within the county administration building. Under normal circumstances, application and plan review procedures do not cause delays, and county requirements are conducive to efficient processing. In Indian River County and other Florida communities, it is difficult to provide affordable housing because of the need to improve infrastructure systems concurrent with development projects. As a component of total housing cost, land cost generally increases to include necessary infrastructure improvement costs. That occurs even though the county does not require inordinately high standards for off-site improvements, and the improvements required are considered to be the minimum necessary to assure safe, adequate, and serviceable neighborhoods. Generally, existing housing is more affordable than newer housing, but existing housing may require additional expenditures for upgrading and rehabilitation. For that reason, financial assistance or incentives from publicly -financed programs or regulatory programs geared to existing housing offer the most feasible means of achieving affordable housing in a high-growth area such as Indian River County. The following activities offer significant potential for strengthening and improving the delivery of affordable housing in Indian River County. • Regular field surveys of housing conditions to identify and classify areas suitable for code enforcement, spot clearance, neighborhood -wide housing conservation programs, and in -fill development possibilities. • Information sharing directed toward builders, developers, and realtors, and encouragement to undertake projects in areas where lower land costs enable lower housing costs. 38 Community Development Department Indian River County