A state representative from Daytona Beach is looking to the legislature to help tackle Volusia County’s growing homeless problem.
- State rep pushing legislature to tackle homelessness in Volusia County
- More funding needed for new Volusia shelter underway
- Groundbreaking at shelter to happen mid-December
A new shelter is underway, but they need more help funding it.
Willetta Tillman grabbed her box to pick up her Thanksgiving meal from the Jewish Federation, a meal her family otherwise would've gone without.
"I look at it as a blessing for me and my family because right now we really don't have," said Willetta Tillman, a homeless single parent.
Tillman and her three children have been staying between hotels, her family members’ homes and anywhere to lay their heads ever since Hurricane Irma.
"It left us homeless with no clothes, no shelter. The tree fell on our roof, popped all the wires. We were pretty much left us with nothing, beds, furniture, TV. It left us in the hole with nothing," said Tillman.
Families like Tillman's is a reason Volusia County and city leaders are building the first step shelter.
Homelessness has been a big problem in the county for years.
"If you're not in our situation, you really wouldn't think to look into this, but there is more homeless people here in Daytona Beach then I've ever seen before in my life," Tillman said.
The homeless has camped out at the county administration as a call for help in the past.
Gloria Max's organization helps many of the roughly 900 people the county said is homeless.
"It doesn't take long to be homeless," said Gloria Max, Executive director, Jewish Federation Flagler and Volusia Counties.
This shelter is a collaborative effort between the county and the cities who all put in money to build it.
But state representative Patrick Henry said he's been working on combating this problem since he was a local commissioner. His bill requests an extra $1.7 million from the Legislature to complete the shelter.
"Anytime you can give children hope, anytime you can give a woman or man some help, you're doing a wonderful thing. So I hope that the legislature does go through with this," Max said.
It'll be a one-stop shop homeless shelter with social services, which will cost about $2.5 million total project.
"I think that's a great thing they're trying to do, so I mean a change has come," Tillman said.
Daytona Beach officials said private donors, faith based organizations and businesses are supporting the shelter as well.
The groundbreaking will be held in mid-December and is expected to open sometime next year.