SEVENTEEN new homes will be built in Mornington and Hastings to support women and children, as the region battles a worsening housing and homelessness crisis. The Mornington Peninsula Shire has partnered with housing agencies YWCA Australia and Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI) to deliver the social housing through the provision and lease of five parcels of council own land valued at more than $3m. The housing and development will be funded by Homes Victoria under the state government’s $6.3b Big Housing Build and Regional Housing Fund.|
As reported by The News earlier this month, the Mornington Peninsula now has the highest number of people sleeping rough out of any local government area in Victoria – including City of Melbourne (Peninsula records state’s highest homelessness numbers, The News 12/8/25). In 2024–25, more than 948 people sought support through independently funded homelessness services across the peninsula.
In a statement announcing the housing build, the shire said, “the Mornington Peninsula is facing an unprecedented crisis due to the lack of housing availability and affordability, with women and children often being the hardest hit”. It also noted that numbers registered for housing on the Victorian housing register “continue to grow at an alarming rate”.
The council said those experiencing homelessness had been compounded by high numbers of short-term holiday rentals, increasing rents, a severe shortage of crisis housing, house and unit prices rising rapidly and high demand for limited funding and food relief support.
Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh said a partnership was a “great example of how a multi-agency and government partnership can deliver important tangible outcomes for our local community”. “There is much more to be done however, and we welcome ongoing investment and partners to address the urgent need,” he said. “I’m so pleased to be able to announce and say thanks for this joint initiative following this month’s Homelessness Week activities. The national theme of ‘Homelessness Action Now’ aligns strongly with the work already underway on the peninsula.”
YWCA Australia Group CEO Michelle Phillips said as a national women’s housing specialist, they too were proud to be a part the project. “Our gender responsive design guidelines will inform the design and build of these homes, keeping the unique housing needs of women at the centre,” she said.
WPI CEO Roberta Buchanan said, “we are looking forward to working with our partners to deliver much needed new homes on the Mornington Peninsula for women and children who are experiencing chronic housing insecurity”. “Secure, affordable and appropriate homes provide a foundation for happier and healthier lives,” she said.
First published in the Mornington News – 26 August 2025
