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Yilli homeless service helped Paul Gray in his darkest hours, now he’s worried about its future

‘I hit a very low point’: A homelessness and DV service in the Top End is a unique success story, but uncertain funding futures are causing anxiety.

Resident Paul Gray out the front of his home at the Yilli facility. Picture: Fia Walsh.
Resident Paul Gray out the front of his home at the Yilli facility. Picture: Fia Walsh.

A homelessness service in the Top End is “a unique success story” helping hundreds of Territorians get back on track, but its uncertain funding future is sending “shockwaves” through the community, one resident says.

Paul Gray has lived at the Yilli short stay accommodation and homelessness facility at Batten Rd, Marrara, for 18 months, and said it has been a lifeline after a dark period in his life.

“I landed here after three and a half years locked down in Vietnam (during Covid),” Mr Gray said.

“When I got back to the NT, I found that I’d lost everything that I’d accumulated over my lifetime – all my assets were gone, all my identity, my paperwork, my data, everything was lost.

“I hit a very low point in my life. I was 70 years of age when I was on the street … with the help of Mission Australia, in Yilli housing, I’ve had a great weight lifted off my shoulders.”

Paul Gray said support from Yilli and Mission Australia lifted a great weight off his shoulders. Picture: Fia Walsh.
Paul Gray said support from Yilli and Mission Australia lifted a great weight off his shoulders. Picture: Fia Walsh.

Yilli has helped more than 7000 people in four years, offering 50 short term and 150 medium term accommodation options.

Its government funding beyond June this year is yet to be confirmed for renewal, and Mr Gray said the uncertainty was unsettling.

“When you speak about six months tenure, that itself is a shockwave for homeless people, for vulnerable people, because you cannot plan on a very short time,” he said.

“If they (Yilli) weren’t here, I don’t know what would happen.”

Yilli Rreung Housing Aboriginal Corporation CEO Amanda Doyle. Picture: Fia Walsh.
Yilli Rreung Housing Aboriginal Corporation CEO Amanda Doyle. Picture: Fia Walsh.

Yilli chief executive Amanda Doyle said demand for their services had “absolutely” increased in recent years, with rooms “always at capacity”.

Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Robyn Cahill said negotiations were on track to see Yilli’s funding renewed.

It comes amid ongoing pressure on the minister to start rolling out $180m promised for frontline domestic violence services.

Ms Cahill was at Yilli on Wednesday to promote an outreach worker program for women and families experiencing domestic violence.

The program, which commenced out of the facility in October, offers personalised safety planning and therapeutic assistance and has so far helped 27 victim-survivors.

“Programs like (the domestic violence) outreach service are making a tangible difference in the lives of Territorians,” Ms Cahill said.

“The CLP government will make sure funding is spent on programs that deliver real outcomes, reducing the incidence of domestic violence and ensuring all Territorians are safe and supported.”

Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Robyn Cahill. The Yilli short stay accommodation and homelessness facility is helping support Territorians in need, however funding is not confirmed beyond June this year. Picture: Fia Walsh.
Domestic Violence Prevention Minister Robyn Cahill. The Yilli short stay accommodation and homelessness facility is helping support Territorians in need, however funding is not confirmed beyond June this year. Picture: Fia Walsh.

Ms Cahill would not confirm whether Yilli or the outreach program would be included or eligible in the $180m funding roll out.

“They would need to apply,” she said.

“It’s not a case of just going to an organisation and saying, ‘here’s some money’.”

“Instead we say, ‘here is what we need, is this something that you think you can provide? And what would that look like?”

Originally published as Yilli homeless service helped Paul Gray in his darkest hours, now he’s worried about its future

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/northern-territory/yilli-homeless-service-helped-paul-gray-in-his-darkest-hours-now-hes-worried-about-its-future/news-story/39851d6a4e5bcacd0d9dfb641dc48fe8