Alice Springs Salvation Army hostel reopened as bail accommodation

Attorney-General Chansey Paech has confirmed the former Salvation Army mens hostel in Alice Springs is being used to house people on bail.

A hostel in residential Alice Springs has been reopened to provide accommodation to those in the justice system without a fixed address.

In a statement, The Salvation Army said it had partnered with the Department of Community Corrections to re-open the former Red Shield Hostel to deliver the Open House program.

It said the Open House program involved “a response to bail justice support and provides holistic case management for Indigenous men experiencing and/or at risk of homelessness, and on bail conditions”.

The Red Shield Hostel building had operated as as a place for people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness for 30 years before its closure in 2022.

The Salvation Army Red Shield Hostel on Goyder St can house up to 27 residents, with specialised staff to be employed at the space.

It is understood that many people navigating the justice system were residents of the hostel during that time.

Salvation Army said the accommodation could house 27 residents and it would be employing specialised staff to look after the residents.

Attorney-General Chansey Paech said the Open House program was a short-term accommodation facility that focused on behavioural change and addressed factors which contributed to offending.

Mr Paech said the program was part of the Territory Labor government’s plan to deliver “smarter justice and break the cycle of re-offending”.

“Safe, secure and stable accommodation is often an issue for people in contact with the justice system.

“The Open House in Alice Springs is a short term supported accommodation facility that focuses on behaviour change, and addresses risk factors that contribute to offending such as housing, social and health needs.”

There are eight beds available at the facility, with two clients in the program at present.

Clients go through a thorough assessment before they are deemed suitable to participate in the program.

It is understood the program will house people that regularly would have been granted bail, but do not have a fixed address.