Y Hostel Darwin closing its doors temporarily amid site review

The homeless shelter operating for more than half a century in Darwin is temporarily closing its doors, amid uncertainty about the future of the CBD site.

The Y Hostel on Doctors Gully Rd, Darwin. Picture: Google Maps.

A homeless shelter operating for more than half a century in Darwin is temporarily closing its doors, amid uncertainty about the future of the CBD site.

The Y Hostel on Doctors Gully Rd will shut to guests and move its corporate head office, following a strategic review of the facility.

In a statement, the Y Northern Territory said current guests would be transitioned to alternate accommodation with support from local service providers including NT Shelter and government partners.

It said this would allow the organisation to consider future options for the site and potential structure upgrades.

“The Y NT has a proud history of serving the NT community for over 50 years,” chief executive Emma Bunting said.

The Y Northern Territory CEO Emma Bunting. Picture: Supplied.

“We did not take the decision to temporarily close the Y Hostel lightly, but we need to assess

the site to make sure it is meeting the needs of our community.

“We acknowledge the disruption and inconvenience that this temporary closure will cause to

our guests, and we are working closely with them to make sure their transition to alternate

appropriate accommodation is smooth and safe, with their wellbeing front of mind.”

She said safety was the top priority, and staff were ensuring the site was vacant before beginning further assessment works.

“We will continue to focus on providing services for children, young people and communities

across the Territory in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and Alice Springs, including Early

Learning, Outside School Hours Care, Youth Services, Recreation and Aquatics, and our

Remote Pools Project,” Ms Bunting said.

The Y Hostel offers short to long term accommodation to disadvantaged people in Darwin.