YML provides secure and affordable accommodation options and culturally appropriate support services to vulnerable people, particularly First Nations people.

YML’s primary function is to support people to access appropriate housing and to link in with the broader service system to address their housing, health, social and emotional needs in a culturally appropriate manner to have equality and thrive into the future.

YML is a strong voice for the First Nations people in Townsville raising awareness, advocating, and representing First Nations People to overcome disadvantages and obtain equal access. YML strives to bring about awareness and change in the community to address the inequality in contemporary society.

Ernest Hoolihan is the founder and past Chairperson of YML. He believes that First Nations people have the right to affordable and appropriate housing, when YML purchased houses throughout Townsville it broke down barriers and enabled Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people to live together.

YML provides the following services:

• Long-Term Community Housing Program – 203 tenancies.
• Dale Parker Place – a 40×1 bedroom unit facility providing 24/7 onsite support for rough sleepers and clients experiencing chronic homelessness and working towards attaining independent, sustainable housing and participation within the community.
• Employment and Education Housing Program – 13 tenancies.
• The Ernest & Maud Hoolihan Elders Village – 16 x 2-bedroom residences for First Nations people aged 55+.
• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Construction for eligible NDIS participants – 6 tenancies.
• The Reverend Charles Harris Diversionary Centre – a 50-bed sobering up facility open 24/7 for 365 days of the year which is an alternative to the Townsville Police Watch House for those at risk of incarceration and a risk to themselves and/or others due to public intoxication issues.
• Breaking the Cycle Program – provides accommodation and support to regular clients of the Reverend Charles Harris Diversionary Centre who express a desire to move away from a life of alcohol or substance addiction.
• Flora House Women’s Shelter – a safe house for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
• Elsie House Women’s Shelter- the YML-owned safe house is Townsville’s only shelter specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
• Townsville Family Violence Support Service – assisting victims and perpetrators of violence through culturally appropriate, trauma-informed case management and counselling.
• Weeburra Thulgarri – early tutoring and mentoring support program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 7-8 years old.
• Karingal – a multi-functional patient transition accommodation facility, designed to provide short-term supported accommodation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from remote and rural communities accessing Townsville Hospital and Health Services.

YML prides itself on the quality of its service delivery to some of the most marginalised people in our community, with its core purpose of providing dignity to all clients engaged in the services ensuring their human rights are protected and upheld. Through the assistance received, many clients have gone on to successfully sustain tenancies, improve their health, manage addiction issues, gain employment and thrive into the future.

In recognition of their work, YML was awarded several National Awards over the years:

2022

CEO Dushy Thangiah awarded Executive Excellence Winner of the Australasian Housing Institute (ahi)Brighter Future Awards 2022.

2021

YML First Runner-Up of the Australasian Housing Institute National Awards for Leading Housing Development for Hillside Gardens project.
Chairperson Dr Ernest Hoolihan awarded National NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year Award.
CEO Dushy Thangiah awarded the AMA Queensland Excellence in Health Care Medal.
CEO Dushy Thangiah Winner of the Australasian Housing Institute National Award for Executive Excellence.

2020

Chairperson Dr Ernest Hoolihan awarded Townsville City Council Senior of the Year

2019

YML Winner of the Australasian Housing Institute National Award for Professional Excellence in Social Housing for the Continuum Model.
YML Winner of the Australasian Housing Institute Queensland State award for Professional Excellence in Social Housing.
CEO Dushy Thangiah awarded Winner of the Telstra Australian Businesswomen’s Awards in the category of For Purpose and Social Enterprise.

2015

YML Winner of the Australasian Housing Institute National Award for Service Innovation for the Ernest & Maud Hoolihan Elders Village.

2014

Chairperson Dr Ernest Hoolihan awarded Medal of the Order of Australia

2009

Chairperson Dr Ernest Hoolihan awarded Honorary Doctor of Letters – James Cook University.

2006

Chairperson Dr Ernest Hoolihan awarded the Premier’s award for Queensland Senior of the Year.