Darwin Aboriginal service providers call on NT Government to prevent YiSSA closure
7 September 2026
Darwin Aboriginal service providers are calling on the Northern Territory
Government to urgently return to the negotiating table with the Commonwealth
Government and Aboriginal sector partners to secure a sustainable solution for
YiSSA.
Darwin Aboriginal service providers support calls by Yilli Rreung Housing Aboriginal
Corporation and partner organisations for the Northern Territory Government to
continue negotiations with the Commonwealth Government to secure the future of the
YiSSA short-stay accommodation facility at Marrara. Our services work at the front line
with Aboriginal families who are facing critical challenges, where a safe, short-term
place to stay can prevent crisis and give families a chance to move forward.
Despite the 15 July announcement by Minister for Children and Families Robyn Cahill
foreshadowing the facility’s closure, no transition plan has been released for the 233
people currently staying at YiSSA, including 85 children, or the more than 300 people on
the waiting list.
Without a viable alternative, hundreds of vulnerable Territorians face homelessness
within weeks.
The closure of YiSSA risks increasing people sleeping rough in parks, shopping
precincts, beaches, reserves and residential areas across Darwin, placing additional
pressure on police, ambulance services, emergency departments and other frontline
support agencies. Even worse, some people may have no choice but to stay in
situations that are unsafe for them and their children. Others may suffer worsening of
health conditions through having no safe place to stay.
Danila Dilba Health Service CEO Rob McPhee said the impact on Aboriginal people with
complex health and social needs would be significant.
“YiSSA’s closure will have a devastating impact on many Danila Dilba clients currently
staying there,” Mr McPhee said.
“These are some of the most vulnerable people in our community, living with complex
health and social challenges who require ongoing, coordinated support.
“YiSSA provides far more than short-term accommodation. It is a critical connection
point for healthcare, housing support, case management and other essential services
that help people stabilise their lives.
“Our outreach teams have worked alongside YiSSA since it opened in 2020. Having a
central location allows our clinicians and support staff to deliver coordinated,
multidisciplinary care to people who need it most.
“If YiSSA closes, our teams will spend far more time trying to locate clients across
multiple locations, making it harder to provide consistent care and increasing the
likelihood that people will end up presenting to emergency departments.
“This will place even greater pressure on hospitals and emergency services that are
already operating under significant strain.”
The proposed closure is also difficult to reconcile with the Northern Territory
Government’s own homelessness strategy, launched in June, which identifies three
priorities:
• Intervening early to prevent homelessness;
• Delivering culturally safe services, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people; and
• Strengthening coordination across the homelessness service system.
The closure of YiSSA, and the refusal to continue negotiations with Aboriginal
community-controlled organisations and the Commonwealth Government, directly
undermines these objectives.
The decision is also inconsistent with the NT Government’s broader strategic
priorities to reduce crime, rebuild the economy and restore lifestyle outcomes for
Territorians. The closure is expected to increase rough sleeping and community
disruption, result in the loss of 32 local jobs, and reduce access to essential support
services for some of the Territory’s most vulnerable residents.
Regina Bennett, General Manager of the Darwin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Women’s Shelter Indigenous Corporation (DAIWS), said “The short-term
accommodation is so important in keeping homeless families safe and supported and
improving their lives. Because of the wait times for public housing, DAIWS relies on
YiSSA and Mission Australia to provide a longer-term accommodation whilst families
are waiting to be accommodated in the community. YiSSA has been operating for the
past 6 years. The site is operating really well; staff and tenants have developed strong,
positive relationships and work effectively together. They are very anxious to learn the
outcome and what it will mean for their future”.
A coordinated solution is urgently needed to protect the lives, health and safety of
hundreds of vulnerable Territorians and to minimise further pressure on Darwin
and Palmerston’s already stretched housing, homelessness, health and
community service system.
