Shockingly, more than 600 Mornington Peninsula community members have experienced homelessness in the last year with many sleeping in tents and cars.
Homelessness Week (5 August – 11 August) aims to build community support and government commitment to end homelessness.
It's an opportunity to use our collective power to continue sending a strong message to Victorian and Federal MPs, that urgent change is needed.
We all deserve to feel safe and have a place to call home - somewhere we can prepare for work, ready our children for school and actively participate in our community.
What is the Shire doing to help?
To help combat this critical issue, Mornington Peninsula Shire continues to lobby both Victorian and Federal Governments for urgent investment into social and affordable housing on the Peninsula.
Engagement with Federal Government
- In June, Mayor Councillor Simon Brooks met with the Federal Housing Minister's office in Canberra to ensure the Peninsula's housing needs are a priority for federal decision-makers.
- The Shire also raised homelessness as a motion during the recent Australian Local Government Association national meeting.
Investment in social housing
- We are calling for greater investment in social housing to address the thousands of applications for social housing on the Peninsula.
- Additionally, we are seeking assurance from the Victorian Government that the revenue raised from their new Short Term Rental Accommodation Levy will be reinvested into local social and affordable housing stock.
Affordable Housing Development Contributions Strategy
- In May, we presented our community with our draft Affordable Housing Development Contributions Strategy to the community. This bold Strategy provides clear direction for how the Shire will support and enable the delivery of more affordable housing on the Peninsula.
Crisis accommodation funding
- We urgently need funding to establish crisis accommodation, as all we currently have is an old motel donated by a developer, which will soon be demolished.
Support for community services
- The Shire subsidises the operation of three Community Support Centres located in Hastings, Mornington, and Rosebud, along with the Peninsula Community Legal Centre.
- With inadequate Victorian Government funding, the Shire contributes nearly $1 million annually to keep these services operating. Funding for our Community Support Centres is critical as they are experiencing higher demand than ever before.
Community engagement and support
- June's Mayoral Charity Event saw local community members, organisations, Shire staff and Councillors come together to support Fusion Mornington Peninsula, which provides vital accommodation and support for young people experiencing homelessness.
We all need to end homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula. How you can help:
- Emailing 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.
- Donating 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).
- Talking 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.
You can learn more about our advocacy efforts by visiting our website: mornpen.vic.gov.au/homelessness
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Simon Brooks:
"Together with the Committee for Frankston and Mornington Peninsula CEO, Josh Sinclair, I spoke directly with staff from the Federal Housing Minister Julie Collins' office in late June about the housing and homeless crisis on the Peninsula.
"Council continues to push for crisis accommodation and more social housing on the Mornington Peninsula. We also discussed the release of surplus land at the port of Hastings to deliver adequate social and affordable housing for our residents and assist in meeting the Victorian Governments ambitious targets."
"Now more than ever, we must promote inclusion, understanding, acceptance, and respect within the community for people who are homeless and sleeping rough. We all deserve a safe and secure place to call home."
