The Indian River County Housing Authority was created on October 10, 1979, by the passage of Resolution No. 79-100 by the Board of County Commissioners. The Authority is composed of five individual electors of the County appointed by the Governor of Florida. As such, the Housing Authority is a separate entity.

The Indian River County Housing Authority is a separate legally authorized organization. It's operating budget is included under the County because Indian River County is the primary funding source for the Authority's operations. The purpose of the Housing Authority is to preserve and increase available safe and sanitary housing to low and moderate income persons within Indian River County. Under State law, part of the Authority's duty, within its area of operation, is to prepare, acquire, lease and operate housing projects; to provide for the construction, improvement, or repair of any housing project; to investigate living, dwelling and housing conditions and to investigate the means and methods of improving such conditions.

Rental Assistance has the responsibility to provide and monitor rental assistance under the HUD Section 8 Program to eligible low/very-low income families, elderly, disabled persons and single pregnant women. Functional supervision is provided by the Housing Authority personnel. An average of 28 clients are recertified and 20-25 clients are interviewed for eligibility per month. Currently, the program has the capacity to assist 330 eligible families.