Volusia County housing facility gets grant for makeover

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — A housing facility for homeless families in Volusia County is getting a makeover thanks to a grant from TD Bank.

Mid-Florida Housing was awarded $100,000 to renovate Palmetto House in Daytona Beach.

The grant was from the TD Charitable Foundation as part of an initiative called Housing for Everyone.

The money will go toward major upgrades to the 48-room homeless housing facility, which was once the home to railroad workers.

The Palmetto House now provides homeless families with temporary housing until they can find work and get back on their feet, but employees say it's in dire need of upgrades.

"The building is about 114 years old, so you can imagine the updates that are going to be needed," said executive director Francine Gordon. "So we're thrilled to have the funds to be able to do that."

Everything from floors to window seals will be repaired at the house.

The renovations also include the $18,000 job of repaving the driveway.

Some of the nearly 70 residents, who must be drug and alcohol free, often help with the work and get room and board in return.

Others must pay a small fee to live there.

Residents say they're grateful help is on the way to fix their short-term homes.

"It's been awesome. This place is a blessing," said resident Jeannie Dinsmore.

The grant was one of 25 given out from Maine to Florida.

WFTV