Daytona Beach Mayor Talks First Step Shelter, Affordable Housing, Literacy & Opioids

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Daytona Beach, FL - Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry, during an interview on the "Marc Bernier Show" last week touched on a number of issues affecting the city of Daytona Beach.

The First Step Shelter, where Henry is the Board Chair, is finally scheduled to open in December. There is still one big issue to settle and that's the location of a Safe Zone and how it will be run. Henry told Bernier that during last week's City Council meeting, it was discussed how it would be handled if things got out of control in the Safe Zone. Henry said if that happens, the city of Daytona Beach can shut it down. He said while the city has the authority to do so, there is no objective to create something that will reflect poorly on Daytona Beach or First Step Shelter. Also, homelessness is a regional problem and it's best to have the services in one place.

Another important issue is the availability of affordable housing for those in need. During the October 2 meeting, Council gave support to an 82-unit, four-story affordable apartment complex that will be built on Dr. M.L.K. Jr., Boulevard, north of Orange Avenue. The vote was split, 4-3. Henry says he's excited about the project but he's not celebrating yet. The developer, Beneficial Communities Partners, told Commissioners that the project will consist of a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Rents would range from $400 to $800 per month for individuals and families that meet the income requirements. Henry said support from the city puts the developer in the running for tax credits of more than $15 million. The company will find out in March if it’s been selected for the credits.

Henry has started a city-wide initiative to encourage literacy in Daytona Beach. He says literacy is a critical issue, particularly for elementary-age children. Literacy services currently take place Ortona Elementary and Yvonne Scarlett-Golden Cultural & Educational Center. Henry said during the summer, literacy services are held at the Dickerson Center and there are plans during the Christmas holidays for a festival and a book giveaway. As a community, Henry said we need to do all that we can to promote literacy.

Bernier asked Henry about the case against opioids that's in federal court in Ohio. The same attorney who crafted the panhandling ordinance that was approved in February 2019, Michael Kahn, is representing the city's interest in the opioid court case. Henry thinks it's a no-brainer to be represented in the case because it's not costing taxpayers anything and there is a possibility of a payout. He does say the cost of opioids to the community is worth the attempt to recover money.