CONSTRUCTION has begun on ten new homes in Mornington, which will provide safe and secure housing for women and children experiencing housing stress and insecurity.
YWCA and Mornington Peninsula Shire are delivering the project together, with Homes Victoria funding the housing and development component under the state government’s Social Housing Growth Fund.
Mayor Cr Stephen Batty said the homes represent a tangible commitment to dignity, security, and opportunity for vulnerable community members.
“Our region has some of the highest rates of homelessness in Victoria. We have the highest number of people over the age of 55 sleeping rough in the state and the highest number of women sleeping rough outside Melbourne’s CBD. These are not just statistics. They represent our neighbours, friends, mothers, daughters and grandparents,” said Batty.
“This project shows what partners can achieve with a shared purpose. We thank YWCA Australia for its commitment to providing safe and affordable housing, and the Victorian Government, through Homes Victoria, for investing in this project.”
The development will provide safe, modern, and energy-efficient homes for women and their families on the priority housing list.
The homes will provide long-term and secure housing for women on the Victorian Housing Register, including women who have experienced family violence, Aboriginal women, older women and women who are at risk of homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula.
The shire will be providing four parcels of land to YWCA Australia on a long-term peppercorn lease, demonstrating its commitment to working in partnership to increase social and affordable housing across the peninsula.
YWCA Australia Group CEO, Diana Sayed, said as a national specialist housing provider, YWCA knows women experience housing insecurity differently.
“Here on the Mornington Peninsula, the housing crisis is having a profound impact on women and families, with average wait times for social housing far exceeding the national average,” said Sayed.
“This sod turn is progress towards tangible and practical solutions that address this need. The ten new social homes in development will deliver secure, long-term housing where it is urgently needed, enabling more women to stay connected to their communities and support networks.”
She said a safe home is the foundation for safety, independence, and opportunity.
“YWCA Australia is proud to play our part alongside Homes Victoria, Mornington Peninsula Shire and our project partners to deliver these ten homes and support women and gender diverse people to build stronger futures,” said Sayed.
The Mornington Housing project is the shire’s second social housing development, with construction already underway on a project in Hastings.
First published in the Mornington News – 3 November 2026
