Volusia County, FL – In 2014, FAITH’s listening process surfaced dramatic stories of people that are homeless being arrested merely for having nowhere to go. Further research identified a clear need for more shelter beds for individuals who are homeless — as of 2015, there were 21 shelter beds in Volusia County and a homeless population of nearly 5,000 people. At the 2015 Action Assembly, with the power of 1,205 people, FAITH won commitments from Volusia County Council Members to donate land and $4 million for a shelter that will house 250 single homeless people. The shelter, called Volusia Safe Harbor, will be operated 24/7 and will include case management, intake center, bed, food, and medical and mental health services. Volusia city officials from nine municipalities also agreed to work together to fund the operating expenses of Volusia Safe Harbor.
