Member for East Gippsland, Tim Bull, today opened the $2.5 million Nungurra Youth Crisis Accommodation Centre in Bairnsdale.

The Nungurra Youth Crisis Accommodation Centre will provide support and accommodation for young people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness through short-term accommodation.

Mr Bull said the Nungurra will replace Merindoo the existing day centre in Bairnsdale.

“The Victorian Coalition Government funded $2.5 million for Nungurra which will provide short term accommodation for 12 young people in East Gippsland.

“The Coalition Government is focused on protecting the most vulnerable people in our community and Nungurra is a fantastic centre for the Bairnsdale community,” Mr Bull said.

Nungurra will consist of eight single bedrooms, one two-bedroom and one one-bedroom separate unit that will provide short term accommodation for young people aged between 16 and 25 years who come from a range of backgrounds.

Minister for Housing, Wendy Lovell, said Nungurra was part of the Coalition Government’s National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness and our commitment to breaking the cycle of homelessness.

“The Coalition Government is committed to improving the opportunities for young people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in regional Victoria,” Ms Lovell said.

Since 2010 the Coalition Government has committed more than an additional $200 million for homeless services and $220 million per annum in community service organisations to support people that are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Caption: Celebrating today’s official opening of the $2.5 million Nungurra Youth Crisis Accommodation were Edna Ritchie, Adrian Morgan, Kerry Baxter, Liz Noone; Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull; Caroline Ritchie, Chris Brereton, Ryan Hedley, Floss Ryan, Jeremy Schroder and JJ Ritchie.