More than 20 homeless people got to speak their minds Wednesday evening in Daytona Beach about the issues they face.

Volusia County homeless advocate Pastor Mike, as he is known, is providing the homeless with transportation to and from city and county council meetings. On Wednesday, he drove them to a Daytona Beach Council meeting.

The homeless people who attended the meeting had about two minutes to talk to the commission about why they need a homeless shelter in the city. Pastor Mike has been a leader of the movement.

Right now, the homeless can receive shelter at the Salvation Army in Daytona Beach. The facility only has room for about 18 people and some people have to pay $10 a night.

“We just want the basics, the basics that is all we need. I mean we are sleeping out here on the sidewalks. We would be happy with a piece of carpet, as long as we don’t have the cops waking us up,” said Ronald Alford. 

The city of Daytona Beach is working with the county to build Volusia Safe Harbor. It would hold 250 men and women, plus room for another 50 in an outdoor courtyard. It could cost $1.4 million to $2.4 million a year. The problem is that some cities aren’t willing to pay.

“To get a community like Deltona, that doesn’t believe that it has a homeless problem, to kick in $320,000 a year for five years to solve what they perceive to be Daytona Beach’s problem, that is a heavy lift," said Pastor Mike, homeless advocate. 

Daytona Beach city leaders and the mayor did not want to go on camera, but the mayor said he is focused on Volusia Safe Harbor. There are some locals who are also in favor of it.

“It’s not a catch-all and it’s not the whole solution, but it seems like a very significant part of the solution,” said Jenny Nazak, Daytona Beach resident.