Volusia County Council approved a $1 million contract for a shelter to serve homeless veterans.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News 

During its regularly scheduled meeting held on Tuesday, May 3, the Volusia County Council approved a $1 million contract to fund a vital program to support a group of vulnerable residents here in Volusia County – homeless veterans. Councilmembers finalized the funding to help pay for renovations for a facility that provides temporary shelter and social services for homeless veterans, run by staff with Halifax Urban Ministries (HUM).

According to a release, Councilmembers rezoned a new, 2.35-acre site at 962 Derbyshire Road in Daytona Beach in April to allow for the new homeless facility. The site is roughly 3-miles away from Halifax Urban Ministry's current veterans' facility.

The new site is home to a fellowship hall, a single-family home, a church sanctuary, and a community garden. Halifax Urban Ministries has a plan to renovate the fellowship hall and home on the property creating twenty private shelter residences.

The finances approved are supported by the funds Volusia County received from the federal American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA. Councilmembers approved a prioritized list of projects back in February that uses the funds. The list includes community projects for things like broadband enhancements, affordable housing, mental health and substance abuse, stormwater improvements, and the establishment of a juvenile assessment center.

The $1 million will be disbursed to Halifax Urban Ministries in four installments – $300,000 by June 15, $300,000 when the building permit is issued, $200,000 when construction is 50% completed, and the final $200,000 installment when construction of the shelter is 75% completed.