County Council Approves $1.1 Million Grant For West Volusia Homeless Center

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DeLand, FL - Update: In Thursday's meeting the Volusia County Council again discussed the area's homeless issue, this time with a focus in DeLand. The city wants to build a 5,000 sq ft homeless facility near the Neighborhood Center that would include 20 emergency beds - bringing DeLand's total up to 50. "With the county's help, we hay have a viable solution that will be affordable and will actually work," said Michael Pleus, Manager of the City of DeLand. The city would contract Neighborhood Center for the facility, which would include various services including case management and mental health counseling. The Council was behind the plan, but they were concerned about where they would get the $1.1 million DeLand was asking for. The county's already spending $14 million in state and federal money for homeless prevention. Pleus told the council it would take about a year before the facility would be operational. In the end, the council voted unanimously to give DeLand the funds it was asking for. Earlier Reporting: When Volusia County Council meets Thursday it will consider a grant item of more than $1.1 million for construction of a homeless center in DeLand. The item is an infrastructure grant agreement with the City of DeLand and totals $1,130,000. The grant money would go to support the City of Deland in its proposal with the West Volusia Solution to Alleviate Homelessness to expand current emergency beds to 50 and to construct a day center. The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia is currently expanding emergency beds from 10 to 30. The city project would add 20 additional beds to that total. The agenda item says DeLand has gotten "pledges for operating costs of the facility from community members and churches and is seeking pledges from west Volusia cities." The county would agree to funds for construction of the facility, furniture fixtures, and equipment to operate the center according to the agenda item. DeLand would agree to pay for the full amount of operating expenses and to operate the facility for five years. Volusia County Council meets Thursday at 9 AM in DeLand. 2017 Southern Stone Communications Copyright.