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.
These figures change daily but consistently remain among the highest in the state. This is why homelessness continues to be one of Mornington Peninsula Shire's top priorities.
Despite limited funding and growing demand, we are taking action – leading local initiatives, advocating to state and federal governments for urgent resources, and working closely with community partners to deliver real, lasting solutions.
Our goal is clear: to make homelessness on the Peninsula rare, brief and non-recurring.
This Homelessness Week (4–10 August), the national theme of 'Homelessness Action Now' aligns strongly with the work already underway on the Peninsula.
Local action, national impact
The Shire has launched the Mornington Peninsula Zero project, in partnership with Launch Housing, Frankston Zero and 10 local support organisations.
This Functional Zero initiative connects directly with people sleeping rough and builds a real-time By Name List 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 to meet the emergency relief needs of communities and Outreach workers to support homeless people find housing.
Collaborating for long-term housing solutions
Our homelessness response is supported by the Triple A Housing Advisory Committee – a dedicated group linking the Shire with the community, government and key housing and welfare agencies.
The Committee plays a central role in driving the Triple A Housing Plan 2020–2030, which outlines local strategies to improve access to appropriate, affordable and available housing on the Peninsula.
This work is strengthened through the Peninsula Housing Network, a forum of frontline workers from across the sector. By regularly connecting and coordinating services, the Network ensures more effective, place-based responses to housing insecurity.
Affordability and housing security for older residents is also a growing concern. Council's Positive Ageing Strategy, alongside the collaborative work between the Triple A Housing Advisory Committee and the Peninsula Advisory Committee of Elders (PACE), continues to highlight this issue and drive advocacy for targeted solutions.
Local voices, real stories: In Our Backyard podcast
This Homelessness Week tune in to our compelling In Our Backyard podcast series – five episodes that dive into the reality of homelessness on the Peninsula. Listeners will hear from people with lived experience, local housing experts, and community leaders. Episodes feature stories from former pro-surfer Chad, local service providers and more.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
A call for urgent investment
The Shire continues to advocate for:
- Urgent funding for our three overstretched community support centres
- More outreach workers, with only two currently covering the entire Peninsula
- Crisis accommodation, including purpose-built, safe housing options
- Long-term investment in social housing and public transport access
Without immediate support from other levels of government, the community risks losing essential programs and frontline services that are already at breaking point.
You can learn more about our advocacy efforts by visiting: mornpen.vic.gov.au/homelessness
We all need to end homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula
How you can help:
- Email your local MPs and the Victorian Minister for Housing about your concerns
- Consider placing your short-stay rental or holiday home on the long-term rental market
- Donate your time or resources to a local service (e.g., The Salvation Army, Southern Peninsula Community Support, Mornington Community Support, Westernport Community Support, or Fusion)
- Talk to your friends and family about homelessness in our community and how they can help
Resources and more information
If you or someone you know is facing or experiencing homelessness, visit our dedicated webpage for information and guidance on what supports are available: mornpen.vic.gov.au/housing
Help and support are also available from Community Support Centres, the Salvation Army and Fusion Mornington Peninsula.
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Anthony Marsh
Homelessness is not just a statistic. It's someone's son, daughter, neighbour or friend.
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.
