DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Long-awaited plans to open a homeless shelter in Daytona Beach by December are now on hold.
City leaders told Channel 9's Mike Springer the shelter on Red John Drive may not open until next summer because of a design delay.
Eyewitness News has been reporting the city's struggle to get a shelter off the ground ever since homeless people camped outside a county office building two years ago.
Business owner Harry Allen has longed to see Beach Street become a destination for families, but he said because of the homeless population, that dream has become more of an illusion than a reality.
“I've actually had to walk some older costumers to their cars because they do not feel secure,” said Allen, owner of Dayton Magic.
The homeless issue was thrown into the spotlight nearly two years ago when the homeless began camping outside a county office building in January 2016 and finally culminated in June when the city and county approved funding for a 100-bed homeless shelter to open by December on Red John Drive.
The city said those plans are on hold because the city is waiting on a Longwood engineering firm to look over the two designs for the shelter, a tent or concrete design for the building, pick the best design and recommend that to the city commissioners.
Photos: Homeless camp outside Volusia Admin. Center
There's no time frame for when the engineering firm might bring its recommendation to the city.
City leaders said the shelter may not open until next summer.
Cox Media Group
