The Maribyrnong Community Residential Facility (MCRF) was established as a community residential facility in 2020.

It provides short-term accommodation for men exiting the prison system, who would otherwise be homeless.

Placement at the facility is temporary to assist residents in finding suitable long-term accommodation and transition into the community.

MCRF accommodates up to 44 people, including those who have just been released and who are on parole.

Location 

The residential facility is located at the site of the former Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre at 53 Hampstead Road, Maidstone.

It provides single-room accommodation, shared communal facilities, living areas, kitchen, administrative offices and outdoor areas.

Security

All residents are risk-assessed, based on their offending history and behaviour, prior to being accommodated. 

The facility does not house anyone convicted of a sexual offence or assessed as posing a significant risk to staff, other residents or the wider community.

Residents must agree to a Code of Conduct and are required to engage with support services while living at the facility. A curfew for residents is in effect from 9pm to 6am.

Security and facilities management is provided on site 24/7 by G4S. Any resident unable to satisfy the rules expected of them in the Code of Conduct cannot stay at MCRF.

Operations

Residents at the facility have either served their sentences or qualified for parole and are ready to be reintegrated back into the community.

Residents are expected to work hard to secure long-term housing and employment with the assistance of on-site case managers and a housing specialist provided by Jesuit Social Services (JSS).

JSS also provides a nurse who supports the residents’ access to physical and mental health services in the community.

All residents are interviewed and risk-assessed based on their past history and willingness to engage with a range of support services at the facility, including opportunities for employment.

On average, residents are expected to stay at the facility for between 3-4 months. Residents cannot refuse an offer of suitable long-term accommodation.

Community Advisory Group

A Community Advisory Group (CAG) is helping to guide the development of the facility and keep the local community informed and engaged. The group was established by the Department of Justice and Community Safety in July 2020.

It includes local residents and representatives from Victoria Police, Corrections Victoria and the City of Maribyrnong.

Community Advisory Group Members:

  • Wayne Sievers (community member)
  • Katie King (community member)
  • Jacinta Pollard (community member)
  • Councillor Sarah Carter (Mayor, Maribyrnong City Council)
  • Jenny Hosking - Chair (Assistant Commissioner, Corrections Victoria)
  • Jason Forster (Acting Inspector, Maribyrnong Local Area Command, Victoria Police)

Feedback from facility residents

“I have no idea how I would have coped with my transition without [staff at the facility]. They have not only provided me the environment to recover but also enabled me to accelerate my ability and hope to return to a normal life, and a career” - Christian*.

 “Never in my life did I think I would find myself in the situation of being homeless…in the next month or so I am hoping to gain full-time employment and get my own place” - Lucas*.

“Maribyrnong has helped me get back on my two feet by providing me with a warm environment with lots of great staff members….My next steps will be to start an educational course and get my driver licence”  - Jack*.

*Names changed to protect privacy

Other projects

This facility is part of the Maintenance Stimulus Package which is creating 250 bedrooms across 16 projects in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Other projects include:

  • self-contained units built at two Annie North Haven sites in the Bendigo area
  • EACH Housing’s supervised rehabilitation facility at Healesville.

More information

If you have any queries about this project, email the project team (External link)