Laserfiche WebLink
Gifford Neighborhood Plan Analysis <br /> New housing construction not only provides safe, decent housing; it can also stimulate additional housing construction and enhance <br /> community appearance. <br /> ■ Maintaining New and Existing Residences <br /> To ensure that a community does not deteriorate, it is necessary that the housing stock be adequately maintained. In Gifford, that <br /> requires that landlords maintain their rental units. One way to ensure that units are maintained is to increase code enforcement <br /> activities. Even more effective, though, are efforts by community groups, such as the Progressive Civic League of Gifford to <br /> encourage property maintenance. Property maintenance must be ongoing. This is the most cost effective way to preserve property <br /> values. <br /> ■ Increasing Home Ownership <br /> One effective way to improve housing in a community is to increase homeownership. Generally, owners maintain their property <br /> better and have more pride in their community than renters do. Currently, both the Habitat For Humanity program and the SHIP <br /> program provide homeownership opportunities. Other programs are also available through local lenders. Probably the two issues <br /> limiting homeownership the most are cost and credit. To address these issues, there must be a coordinated effort involving <br /> government, non-profits, and local lenders. <br /> ■ Subsidized Affordable Housing Projects <br /> Another way to address affordable housing issues is through subsidized affordable housing projects. Those projects, more than most <br /> projects, require coordination between the public and private sectors. Because Gifford has many low income residents, subsidized <br /> housing projects benefit the community by providing affordable housing. That fact, however, needs to be balanced by the fact that <br /> more than 40% (6 of 14) of all subsidized housing projects in unincorporated Indian River County are already located in East Gifford. <br /> Such a concentration can, itself, cause problems. <br /> ■ Neighborhood Associations <br /> Although the Progressive Civic League of Gifford functions as a representative of the Gifford community, there are not many smaller <br /> neighborhood associations in Gifford. These types of associations could facilitate communication within neighborhoods and between <br /> neighborhoods. They could also coordinate "clean-ups", aid COPE and Code Enforcement, and generally look after local needs. <br /> Community Development Department Indian River County 41 <br />