As rental prices, homelessness, and social crime continue to rise throughout Australia, a new social housing program is seeking to provide inclusive housing support to young men in Dubbo.

Gibir House, part of Bunmabunmarra Services, was established in March 2025 and has already helped four young men move on to full time work and independent living.

The Daily Liberal spoke to co-directors Kristie Burge and Darren Toomey in order to find out what sets the program apart.

Ms Burge and Mr Toomey have backgrounds in social and corrective services, child protection, and youth services.

Both are proudly Indigenous and bring a lived experience to an environment in which a disproportionate number of Indigenous Australians enter the justice system and face issues related to homelessness.

Earlier grants have allowed Bunmabunmarra to provide safety planning, advice, and risk assessments to female victims of domestic violence, and to provide support for local youths.

When the duo noticed the Homeless Innovation Fund (HIF) grants and the availability of a large property, they jumped at the opportunity.

They established Gibir House as a facility to provide accommodation and support for 10 people at a time. They currently sit at six people and implore young men facing difficult situations to get in touch.

"The unfortunate reality - for them and the community - is that, within a three-to-four-week period, many men who are released from corrective facilities re-offend," Mr Toomey said.

"We've really identified a gap. We put a cultural lens on things, because the blunt reality is that the majority of the men coming through here will be Indigenous, and we support them and case coordinate as they try to establish a new start. That doesn't mean we only take in Indigenous Australians." Mr Toomey said.

"Gibir House allows for good relationships between the men and our staff. We have people with lived experience and knowledge of the justice system," Ms Burge said.

"We treat humans like humans. They can take pride in this place and live together in a safe and productive environment.

"That is paying dividends. In just 55 days, six men have gone on to live on their own, and four have found full time work. None, not a single one, of the people that have come here have re-offended." Ms Burge said.

Those living at the facility are afforded their own room and space, security, and multiple kitchen and communal areas. On Fridays, they cook meals together and watch the football.

Mr Toomey stressed that participation is incumbent on wanting to change as an individual.

"Once men get out of corrective facilities, there is usually nowhere to go, and that causes a lot of stress and issues. We emphasise that you are welcome here if you want to change. If not, we can make space for you in our other service. If they are ready to change, we will support them." Mr Toomey said.

"Another thing we look at is domestic violence, which is one of our other services. Dubbo has one of the highest rates of DV in Australia. We have an absolutely zero tolerance policy for poor or violent behaviour, and we've found that it is providing a productive environment." he added.

Funding and support for the program have come from the Homeless Innovation Fund and Homes NSW. Mr Toomey said that the duo look forward to expanding the program to other regional localities in the future.

The program's specific focus on young men and diversion makes it the first of its kind in Dubbo, and it will join the Orana Support Service as one of the few programs offering accommodation.

In support of Gibir House, Stephen Lawrence MLC said:

"The alternatives to this kind of service are not great. Humans are social animals and need support, not to be thrown into hotels or out on their own then they leave custody. Dubbo absolutely welcomes it."