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B.A. Office of Consent 09/17/2019 INDIAN RIVER COUNTY ATTORNEY Dylan Reingold, County Attorney William K. DeBraal, Deputy County Attorney Susan J, Prado, Assistant County Attorney MEMORANDUM TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: William K. DeBraal, Deputy County Attorney DATE: September 11, 2019 SUBJECT: Approval of Resolution Establishing Fair Market Rental Rates for Housing Choice Voucher Program Indian River County Code provides for the Deputy County Attorney to be the Fair Housing Coordinator for the County. Among the County's housing programs is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, formerly known as Section 8 Housing. Federal regulations require the Board to approve by resolution a report of Fair Market Rental Rates on an annual basis. The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) is a federally funded program administered by the County's Rental Assistance Program. While federal regulations govern the program, local demographics can influence the program's administration. Indian River County's elderly/retiree population averages 41 % compared with a nationwide average of 27% of a community's population. Because our County has a larger than average elderly, low income population, federal guidelines allow the Rental Assistance Program to cater to the community need of supplying housing assistance to low income elderly residents. It should be pointed out that the Voucher Program also assists veterans and other low income qualifiers. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is designed to benefit all participants. Private providers that own multi or single family homes apply to County Rental Assistance for participation. The units are inspected and approved for the Voucher program. Upon approval, private owners qualify for tax incentives that make participation in the program profitable. It should be pointed out that the County owns no Voucher program housing. 4