After more than a year of debate about what to do with the homeless in Daytona Beach, a deal may finally be approved Wednesday.
- Daytona Beach City Commission expected to approve new homeless shelter
- Volusia County to contribute $2.5 million; $400,000 per year for 5 years
- New shelter planned to be built on city-owned land
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The Daytona Beach City Commission is expected to move forward with a plan to create a homeless shelter by approving an interlocal agreement with Volusia County.
Under the proposal, Volusia County would contribute $2.5 million for the construction of the assistance shelter and an additional $400,000 per year, for five years, for its operation.
The plan also calls for the shelter to be built on city-owned land, off International Speedway Boulevard.
Business owners in downtown Daytona Beach started to complain about the homeless issue in 2016. It forced the county and city to figure out how to handle the homeless population.
The city of Daytona Beach proposed the First Step Shelter, a 100-bed shelter for the homeless. The city is pitching in $400,000 a year to operate the facility, but they need help covering the rest of the costs.
Along with Volusia County, Daytona Beach is hoping other cities in the county will contribute to the shelter’s operation.
The city commission meets at 6 p.m., Wednesday, to discuss the agreement with the county.