HARRISONBURG, Va – The City of Harrisonburg is closer than ever to opening the doors to its first year-round homeless shelter.

During a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday morning, Mayor Deanna Reed said that the Homeless Services Center will be much more than just a place to stay.

Reed said the possibility of such a facility has slowly become a reality over the past five years. Nielsen Builders, who won the bidding process to construct the center, are expected to complete the job by next October.

City communications director Mike Parks said five million dollars of the total price will be covered by American Rescue Plan Act funding.