HARTFORD, Conn. -- A Hartford shelter broke ground on a project on Thursday that is expected to help house more people in need.

Walter Declaybrook said that's music to his ears.

"This means a lot to me, because being homeless and being in and out of the system, you go through a lot," he said.

After years of being homeless, Declaybrook said he went to the Immaculate Conception Shelter, where the staff helped him get back on his feet.

He said he's glad more people are going to have the opportunity to get help.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday for the shelter's new 50-unit, one-bedroom apartment complex called "The Casa de Francisco."

Shelter officials said it's named after a former client and will house low-income and homeless people.

"Just to have this opportunity to see somebody who gets an apartment for the first time, to see the tears in their eyes, it's truly amazing," said Sharon Eastman, with the Immaculate Conception Shelter.

With the support of Mayor Eddie Perez, the project received a $1 million grant, officials said. They said it's slated to open next year.

"The new program will not only give them a permanent apartment, but the supportive services they need so they can transition out," Perez said.

Declaybrook said that kind of help is what turned his life around.

"It was a great lift for me," he said.