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Daytona Beach approves proposal for homeless shelter

DAYTONA BEACH , Fla. — Daytona Beach's City Commission unanimously approved a proposal to build a homeless shelter to get people off the streets.

The proposal calls for $2.5 million in funding from the county to cover construction costs, plus another $400,000 annually from the county for the next five years to handle operations.

The 100 bed shelter would be built by the jail near Red John Road.

Some are unsure if it's a solid investment for tax dollars.

“I guess it's yet to be seen, but that's what they will have to prove to the taxpayers,” said resident Tom Myers

Read: City, county work out $2.5M deal for Volusia County homeless shelter.

The county could approve the agreement next week.

If everything moves forward, the shelter could be up and running by the end of this year or early next year.

Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry said building a shelter is the most humane way to handle the city's homelessness issue.

"We want to help this population to get back on their feet and become contributing members of our community," Henry said.

Aron Ardic, who owns Moonlight Pizza & Italian Grill, said he has struggled to draw customers to his restaurant because of homeless people outside.

"I see it every day," he said. "Every day around these streets, there's homeless all over the place."

Ardic said he's hopeful that building a new shelter might change that.