The Mornington Peninsula now has the highest number of people sleeping rough out of any local government area in Victoria – including Melbourne City.
In 2024–25, more than 948 people sought support through independently funded homelessness services across the peninsula.
As of 30 June 2025, there are 110 people recorded as homeless, with 75% sleeping rough in tents, cars and on foreshore reserves. A large proportion of these are women, youth and people over 55.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has renewed its advocacy to state and federal governments for urgent resources and committed to working closely with community partners to “deliver real, lasting solutions” that makes homelessness on the peninsula “rare, brief and non-recurring”.
The shire has launched the Mornington Peninsula Zero project, in partnership with Launch Housing, Frankston Zero and ten local support organisations to connect directly with people sleeping rough to help tailor services and provide long-term housing solutions.
The shire also submitted a motion to the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly in June 2025, calling for the federal government to address the impacts of the national homelessness crisis by providing increased funding towards community support centres and outreach workers to support homeless people find housing.
“Homelessness is not just a statistic. It’s someone’s son, daughter, neighbour or friend,” said Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Cr Anthony Marsh.
“On the peninsula, it’s happening in every township. We see women over 55 living in cars. Families struggling to find a safe place to sleep. This isn’t acceptable, and we won’t stand by.
“Council is stepping up with solutions that work for our community on the peninsula. But we can’t do it alone. We need urgent investment in crisis accommodation, outreach services and long-term social housing. It’s time for homelessness action now.”
The high homeless data comes as Mornington Community Support Centre and Southern Peninsula Community Support move forward with replacing the only homeless accommodation on the peninsula, The Ranch in Mornington, which sits on land slated for redevelopment.
The new accommodation, located near Main Street in Mornington, (Peninsula crisis accommodation saved with ‘Ranch 2.0’, The News 3/6/25), is currently being renovated with three of the seven units complete.
CEO of Mornington Community Support Centre, Ben Smith, told The News “We are working through renovations. It takes some time as it is all volunteer labour and materials”.
“We have two units occupied, which is great, but still have plenty of work to do. We hope to have The Ranch 2.0 fully operational by the end of the year.”
The Ranch 2.0, with its seven units, is still a reduction in homeless crisis accommodation considering The Ranch consisted of 11 units; a net loss of four units.
“We cannot rest on our laurels here,” said Smith.
“What we offer is great, but much more is needed, and I fully support the push for more funding.
“Remember, when The Ranch 2.0 is up and running there will still be zero government funded crisis accommodation on the peninsula.
“The lack of resources means that the pathway out of homelessness is still a very difficult one for those that find themselves in that situation.”
Smith urged community members to keep the pressure on the state and federal governments and encouraged continued support from community members.
“We are grateful for the wonderful support that all the community support centres across the peninsula receive. Please reach out to them if you can assist them.”
First published in the Mornington News – 12 August 2025
