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Safe Haven declines DMHA match grant for transportation amid funding constraints
Summary
Safe Haven informed the commissioners that it declined a DMHA transportation match grant because funding conditions and overhead costs would not fully support the program; the organization said it will preserve other core services and explore alternatives.
A representative of Safe Haven told Orange County commissioners that the nonprofit had been awarded a DMHA match grant intended to support transportation services but has declined the award because the funding constraints and cutbacks since 2025 left the program without reliably funded support.
"We have no way to guarantee full funding of this program. And so with that, we made the difficult decision to decline the grant," the representative said, explaining that declining was the responsible option to avoid taking funds the organization could not use appropriately.
She said the decision allows Safe Haven to preserve other core services — recovery coaches, a food pantry, street outreach and harm-reduction programs — and avoids layoffs. Safe Haven has notified DMHA of the declination and expressed willingness to pursue other funding options in the future.
Commissioners thanked Safe Haven for its partnership and said they appreciated the group's decision to protect existing programs rather than stretch limited funds across an expensive transportation program.
