Four rough sleepers have died on Australia's Mornington Peninsula in just over six weeks. This cluster of deaths includes three men, with the youngest aged 36 and the oldest 65. Some of those who died had long connections to the area.
One man died by suicide after being discharged from hospital, while another's health rapidly declined after he began sleeping rough. The names of the deceased are not public, with social workers expressing reluctance to share details due to concerns that family members may not yet be aware.
The Mornington Peninsula has the second highest number of rough sleepers in the state, after Melbourne's CBD. A report from Launch Housing indicates 11 rough sleeper deaths in the area since December 2024, with three occurring in September alone. An additional death was confirmed this week.
Outreach workers estimate 111 people are sleeping rough on the peninsula. The area, which includes Australia's richest suburb, also contains communities with significant poverty. Services for rough sleepers are limited, with only one privately funded crisis accommodation facility offering seven two-bedroom units for the entire area.
Between September 2020 and 2026, the median rent on the Mornington Peninsula increased from $513 to $723 a week, surpassing Melbourne's median of $648. The median cost of a house in the area is $1,025,900, also higher than greater Melbourne's $915,119.