Morris County Pledges Some $94,000 To Save Safe Haven Program

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — Morris County Freeholders approved funding Wednesday to sustain the nonprofit-run Safe Haven program, which provides services for homeless persons in the county with severe or persistent mental illnesses.

The Safe Haven program is a 24-year partnership between Homeless Solutions and the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris.

A news release from the county board of freeholders said the program has long been funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, but that funding is set to dry up in June as HUD shifts away from funding shelters and transitional housing programs.

In an effort to preserve the shelter, Morris County has pledged nearly $94,000 to maintain the shelter program through the end of 2020.

"Without Safe Haven, some of our most severely mentally ill homeless persons would be left without options and proper care, wandering and living on the streets of our county, which would not be acceptable," Morris County Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo said in a statement. "We will fund Safe Haven through the end of the year to keep these residents safe and to allow time to explore future options."

The combined effort of staffs from Homeless Solutions and the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris helps people in need get access to clinical help, mental health services, medication monitoring, referrals for addiction treatment, legal aid, transportation, employment and more.

"This grant ensures that Homeless Solutions and the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris will be able to continue our 20-plus-year partnership providing shelter, essential care and a brighter future for our most vulnerable neighbors," Dan McGuire, CEO of Homeless Solutions, said in a statement.