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Gifford Neighborhood Plan Analysis <br /> ➢ Issues and Problems <br /> The major issues associated with poor housing conditions are absentee landlords and low rates of home ownership. In Gifford, most <br /> of the poor housing conditions are associated with rental housing. Even though rental housing makes up only 36% of all single-family <br /> units in Gifford, rental housing accounts for 74% of sub-standard housing, 88% of dilapidated housing, and 53% of housing with <br /> junk/debris in East Gifford. <br /> Another cause of poor housing conditions in Gifford is income. Because of the number of low income households, many residents <br /> live in substandard conditions or pay an excessive portion of their income for housing. <br /> ➢ Opportunities <br /> Although significant housing problems exist in Gifford, significant opportunities to resolve these problems also exist. Some programs <br /> that are in place are already snaking a difference. Foremost among those programs is Habitat For Humanity's efforts. <br /> With county funding assistance,,Habitat For Humanity (HFH) is building new housing, mentoring its clients, and improving entire <br /> neighborhoods. These efforts are also having an effect on surrounding properties. In many cases, the HFH homes are serving as a <br /> catalyst for other rehabilitation and clean-up efforts. <br /> Any plan to significantly improve housing conditions in Gifford must include a number of activities. These include: <br /> • Condemning and razing dilapidated structures; <br /> • Rehabilitating salvageable structures; <br /> • Constructing new residences, particularly on vacant platted lots; <br /> • Maintaining new and existing residences; <br /> • Increasing home ownership; and <br /> • Intensifying code enforcement. <br /> There are several initiatives that the county can take to improve housing conditions in Gifford. Some are already in use to varying <br /> degrees. To maximize the effectiveness of each initiative, the county should take a comprehensive approach and coordinate a number <br /> of these initiatives. These efforts must focus on East Gifford,the location of the highest concentration of poor housing conditions. <br /> Community Development Department Indian River County 39 <br />