The Safe Harbor Inn is a motel—not a social service agency, not a “program,” not rental housing, not a care facility, not an institution. Our guests are guests—not “clients,” not

All 55 motel units at the Safe Harbor Inn are attractively and fully furnished, with two double beds or a king-size bed, full bathrooms, cable TV, small refrigerators, and microwaves. Safe Harbor Inn has a large community room for socializing, a large indoor playroom for children, a meeting room, a kitchen, and a 24-hour coin-op laundromat for guests.

Two major bus lines are a block away. At least two staff are on site at all times to assist guests with whatever they need and to provide security and companionship, and the motel office and community room are open 24/7 with free coffee, food, and fun.

Safe Harbor's goal is for guests to get back on their feet and into permanent employment and permanent housing?so that they become self-sufficient and never have to be homeless again. Safe Harbor Inn guests are referred by more than 40 partner agencies in Anchorage. Referred guests must be homeless and have very low incomes (as defined by HUD), must be receiving services to help them get back on their feet, and must be unable to afford another place to stay.

Guests can stay at Safe Harbor Inn for as long as their referring agencies continue to provide services to them, as long as they continue to abide by the house rules, and as long as their lodging fees are paid on time. There is no maximum length of stay.

When guests are ready to move to permanent housing, Safe Harbor staff help them find apartments, provide landlord references, and assist with security deposits. On moving day, guests pick out the furniture and household supplies they want for their new homes?all of it donated by community members, groups, and local businesses. Safe Harbor staff then move the family and all their things to their new apartments, at no charge.

More than 70% of Safe Harbor Inn guests have moved successfully to permanent housing and self-sufficiency.