A spokesperson for the Society said it was closed temporarily due to possible safety concerns with the building.

The causes of the “possible safety concerns” were not outlined in a statement released from the society.

However, Shoalhaven City Council has been seeking a certificate of occupancy for the building for the past two to three months.

Certain buildings, like John Purcell House, require this certification annually.

The NSW Fire Brigade and council both require the certificate.

A private certifier does the certification as council does not have the staff to do such work.

The onus to get the certification is up to the building’s owner.

It’s been suggested that during this process the safety concerns were discovered and the building shut down.

Council did not ask for the building to be shut down

A Society spokesperson said accommodation for homeless men was still available.

“John Purcell House has been used until now as a crisis accommodation service after receiving the occupational certificate,” the spokesperson said.

“After new information came to light, the Society moved clients and staff from the building as a safety precaution.

“Clients staying at John Purcell have been found alternative temporary accommodation which is being supported by staff, and includes meals and other care and support usually provided via the service.

“The Society has been in discussions with the builders, architects and contractors involved with John Purcell House and is also having the building assessed by the relevant experts to decide on the next steps to take.

“In the meantime, the Society is committed to looking after people in their new accommodation in the Nowra region.”

The new $3.3 million men’s crisis accommodation centre was opened in June last year and the 18-bed complex replaced an old 10-bed complex.