As others have said, it was a safe place to leave my things and the bed was comfortable. Josias was respectful and welcoming. The location is very close to Montmartre. The bargain price makes this an appealing choice. A caution for larger people- stairs and tight shower.
About the Quartier Barbés: I was glad I visited but grateful it was not in my first days in Paris. It reminded me of NY city, so I applied NY rules--go out with public transit but after dark come back with taxi. I simply went to the next metro station and it was easy to hail a taxi from there. Josias' apartment was actually just as close to Chateau Rouge, temporarily closed. If you can handle a careful visit to Bronx in NYC, then you will be fine. A note: I was warned by other Parisians: "we are French and WE are afraid of Barbés." Yet I enjoyed meeting some Algerian shop keepers who were delighted to talk and give directions, but when I got to the point where the evening street was filled only with young Algerian men, I turned around and went back into the densely mixed people. I watched for the many typically French-looking people, and simply behaved as they did.
The African market was colorful, but I reduced the intensity by walking only on the outskirts. I also really enjoyed my quiet Sunday morning walk out through a neighborhood by an elaborate church that looked like a miniature Notre Dame.
Overall, the deshabille elegance of the once-expensive buildings with the colorful new arrivals reminded me of a geriatric grande-dame being cared for in a nursing home, surrounded by the aspiring 3rd world.