Mornington Peninsula rough sleeping has surged by 32 per cent in just six months, with at least 168 people recorded without secure shelter at the end of May.
However, Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Stephen Batty has warned the figure may be higher.
Speaking to STPL News during Homelessness Week, Cr Batty said the official count may not show the full extent of rough sleeping across the Mornington Peninsula.
“At the end of May, we recorded 168 rough sleepers on the Mornington Peninsula. However, we believe the figure is more.”
Mayor Stephen Batty
Cr Batty did not estimate how many people may be missing from the official count.
The figure covers people identified as sleeping rough. It does not capture every person living in a car, moving between temporary accommodation or staying with friends and relatives because they have nowhere else to go.
Rough Sleeping Count May Understate the Crisis
The rapid increase comes as local homelessness and community support services face growing demand.
Cr Batty said just under 1,000 people sought homelessness support during the 2024–25 financial year.
He also said about 35 per cent of Mornington Peninsula Shire residents were experiencing rental stress.
“It is a major concern.”
The figures show that the housing crisis extends well beyond people visibly sleeping on streets, beaches and foreshores.
Cr Batty identified family violence and rising living costs as two of the main factors pushing people towards homelessness.
“It’s a combination of a lot of factors. We’ve got domestic violence. We’ve got the cost of living, and the cost of living is really hurting across Victoria.”
He also pointed to housing affordability and financial hardship as major pressures affecting local households.
Two Outreach Workers Funded Over Four Years
The Victorian Government has committed $2.1 million to establish a dedicated homelessness outreach service on the Mornington Peninsula.
The funding will support two outreach workers over four years.
Those workers will engage directly with people sleeping rough and help connect them with housing, health care and other support services.
Cr Batty welcomed the investment but said the government needed to do more.
“It is very much appreciated and welcomed. However, a lot more needs to be done. We think this is the beginning.”
The funding provides two dedicated outreach workers for a region where at least 168 people are already known to be sleeping rough.
Meanwhile, the Shire continues to advocate for greater investment in crisis accommodation, social housing and affordable housing.
“It’s all very well to raise awareness, but we also have to advocate for more sustained investment in social and affordable housing.”
Seven Homes Planned for Hastings
Cr Batty also highlighted a $4.5 million housing development that will deliver seven homes in Hastings.
The project will support women experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing secure housing.
While the development will provide long-term accommodation for several people, the latest rough sleeping figures show that demand remains far greater than the housing currently available.
The Shire has repeatedly called for more social and affordable housing across the Mornington Peninsula.
Homelessness Is “Right at Our Doorstep”
Homelessness Week activities included the lighting of the McCrae Lighthouse, an appreciation event for frontline workers and a community sleepout.
The Shire is also preparing for the Mayoral Charity Golf Day at Moonah Links.
The event aims to raise $50,000 for community support centres serving Mornington, Western Port and the Southern Mornington Peninsula.
Cr Batty said awareness and fundraising remained important, but governments also needed to address the shortage of secure and affordable housing.
“There are a lot of people who need our support, and it’s right at our doorstep.”
He said homelessness could affect anyone and often followed circumstances beyond a person’s control.
“We’ve got housing affordability. We’ve got family violence. And we’ve got that financial hardship.”
At least 168 people have been recorded sleeping rough across the Mornington Peninsula.
The mayor says the figure may be higher.
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