In May 2020, ReloShare emerged as a game-changing aggregate reservation site, co-founded by Matt Singley (CEO) and John Moats (CTO) with the primary aim of simplifying the B2B corporate housing booking process. However, its transformative journey began to take a different direction when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, causing corporate housing units to stand vacant due to the widespread suspension of business travel. Amid discussions on addressing this pressing issue, Singley and Moats stumbled upon a news story highlighting the distressing shortage of accommodations for domestic violence victims. This revelation sparked their motivation to explore corporate housing as a potential solution for immediate shelter needs, leading to a pivotal connection with The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence.
The collaboration with The Network set in motion the development of ReloShare’s real-time corporate housing booking platform, which in less than two months successfully housed over 100 domestic violence survivors. This early success highlighted the immense potential of ReloShare’s technology and corporate housing inventory. Subsequently, a second partnership was established in the Bay Area under the guidance of Paige Allmendinger, then acting deputy chief in the San Francisco district attorney’s office who later joined the ReloShare team. Leveraging the existing infrastructure of ReloShare’s corporate housing portal and forming partnerships with brand-level hotel partners, Safe Stays was launched—an innovative platform that became the first and only nationwide hotel booking website designed to cater to the unique challenges of the social services sector.
The Birth of Safe Stays: An Answer to Urgent Needs
Safe Stays emerged as a revolutionary response to a pressing need within society. It empowered agencies assisting survivors of crime, particularly domestic violence victims, by providing a platform to book accommodations anonymously, alleviating the burden of credit card or ID information. This anonymity ensures the safety and confidentiality of the survivors, a critical factor in their journey towards healing and recovery. Furthermore, Safe Stays simplified the hotel booking process through monthly consolidated billing and pre-confirmation of reservations, facilitated by their 24/7 team, to ensure smooth, trauma-informed check-ins.
The platform tackled long standing barriers within the social services sector by streamlining hotel negotiations and offering a wide range of safe emergency hotel options. With an expansive and growing network of over 18,000 hotels on its platform, Safe Stays swiftly became the go-to resource for approximately 450 social services agencies across the United States. The impact of Safe Stays is far-reaching, emphasizing the importance of tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of vulnerable communities.
Addressing Barriers to Emergency Housing
Emergency housing, particularly for survivors of domestic violence, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals, is a critical concern. The traditional shelter system often faces limitations, leading to the search for alternative solutions. Safe Stays revolutionized the emergency housing landscape by addressing some of the significant barriers faced by both survivors and the agencies that support them.
Anonymity and Confidentiality
Maintaining anonymity and confidentiality is paramount for survivors of domestic violence. Safe Stays provides survivors with a platform where they can book accommodations without revealing their credit card or ID information. This not only ensures their safety but also contributes to their peace of mind during a challenging period of transition.
Simplified Booking Process
Navigating the complexities of booking emergency shelter can be overwhelming for both survivors and the agencies assisting them. Safe Stays simplifies the process through its intuitive platform, allowing agencies to book rooms efficiently. The monthly consolidated billing further streamlines administrative tasks, enabling agencies to allocate more time and resources towards supporting survivors.
Diverse Accommodation Options
The diverse needs of survivors, including those related to gender identity, accessibility, and family size, demand a range of accommodation options. Safe Stays addresses this need by offering a vast network of hotels, providing a variety of shelter solutions that cater to different preferences and requirements.
A Catalyst for Change
Safe Stays has emerged as a catalyst for change within the emergency housing landscape, demonstrating the power of innovative, technology-driven solutions. By leveraging the extensive network and expertise of ReloShare, Safe Stays has successfully connected social service agencies with reliable and safe accommodation options for survivors of crime.
The impact of Safe Stays extends beyond the convenience of booking accommodations. It embodies a fundamental shift in addressing the pressing issue of emergency housing for vulnerable communities. This innovative platform acts as a bridge, connecting those in need with secure housing options, while empowering service agencies to focus on their core mission of supporting survivors.
Building a Better Future
The success and widespread adoption of Safe Stays underscore the immense potential of collaboration and innovation in addressing critical societal issues. As we move forward, it is imperative to continue fostering partnerships, embracing technological advancements, and creating tailored solutions that prioritize the well-being and safety of vulnerable communities.
Safe Stays by ReloShare stands as a testament to what is possible when compassion and technology converge to serve a greater purpose. It sets a standard for future innovations aimed at making emergency housing accessible, confidential, and efficient for all those in need. Through ongoing commitment and ingenuity, we can collectively build a better future where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, has access to safe and secure emergency housing, setting them on a path toward healing and recovery.
