From left to right: Desmond Chin, Belinda Goglia, Uncle Rob Ogden, Mayor Cr Stephen Batty and Diana Sayed.
Construction begins on 10 new homes that will provide safe and secure housing for women and children experiencing housing stress and insecurity on the Mornington Peninsula.
YWCA Australia is delivering the project in partnership with Mornington Peninsula Shire, with Homes Victoria funding the housing and development component under the Victorian Government's Social Housing Growth Fund.
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.
As a Shire-initiated project, the Council 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.
The Mornington Housing project is the Shire's second social housing development, with construction already underway on a project in Hastings.
Mayor Stephen Batty said the 10 homes represented 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," Cr Batty said.
"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."
YWCA Australia Group CEO, Diana Sayed said, "As a national specialist housing provider, YWCA Australia knows that 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.
"This sod turn is progress towards tangible and practical solutions that address this need. The 10 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.
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 10 homes and supporting women and gender diverse people to build stronger futures."
The Shire continues to advocate for investment and pursue partnerships with community housing providers to deliver more homes for women, children and others who need them most.
