Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven

Developed by the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority and operated by Christian Churches United, the Susquehanna Harbor Safe Haven is not a shelter, but a new facility to house up to 65 homeless individuals. Opened in June 2009, it has two distinct areas: (1) 25 Permanent Housing Units and (2) separate space for 40 overnight beds. A two-story structure, it has on-site parking, laundry, cafeteria-style kitchen/dining, medical dispensary, courtyard, and elevator. The 25-unit permanent housing section is modeled after Sr. Mary Scullion’s St. Columbia Safe Haven for men in Philadelphia, and can accommodate up to 25 chronic homeless, mentally ill men with 24-hour staff and services to foster good health and self-sufficiency so that each has the opportunity to move to private housing, thus making space for another person off the streets. The 40-unit overnight section has been added to provide space for a program that previously operated out of church basements in Downtown Harrisburg. The Downtown Clergy has played a major role in supporting this facility and has pledged $40,000 per year towards the cost of its operation. Project financing included funds from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Program, Harrisburg City’s and Dauphin County’s federal Community Development Block Grant, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Housing and Redevelopment Assistance, a loan from the Harrisburg Redevelopment Authority, and conventional construction and first mortgage from Metro Bank.