LAS VEGAS – An old motel in downtown Las Vegas has been given a new lease on life as a bridge housing facility for the homeless.

The Safari Motel on East Fremont Street has been repurposed as a BETterment Community, thanks to a public-private partnership between Clark County, the City of Las Vegas, private companies, and the nonprofit U.S. Vets. The BETterment facility will provide temporary housing for up to 50 homeless people at a time for a period of 90 days, along with services such as counseling and employment assistance.

The program is modeled after a similar one provided by U.S. Vets for veterans. County Commissioner William McCurdy II hopes to replicate the model at other sites across the county.

The program is funded by Clark County’s $4 million allocation for BETterment over two years, which officials say could be extended for another three years.

The Safari Motel had been closed since 2017 after a maintenance man was fatally shot and Las Vegas police officers conducted drug searches at the location.

Credits: Review Journal

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