Our Thinking: New social housing and my mother-in-law

Viv's Place recognises that home isn't just a place – it's a feeling of safety, somewhere to form connections, and a sense of dignity. 

Most of us will hopefully never have to think about sleeping rough. But on any one night, more than 100,000 Australians are doing just that. 

Beneath this number is an even larger yet persistently invisible one. More than 2 millions Australians live in unaffordable housing, a growing number of which are women in housing distress or fleeing family violence. 

As seemingly endless news reports have recently shown, unaffordable housing is adding to the pressures. Affordable housing is becoming more scarce, and crisis accommodation isn’t capable of taking all the strain of these additional housing pressures. 

New models of housing are drastically needed to dramatically boost social housing stock. While a National Strategy seems far away, there is hope in the form of new models designed to support at-risk women and children. 

Viv’s Place is one such safe space. Recently completed in Dandenong in Melbourne’s east, it’s an example of a growing number of build-to-rent housing programs for women and children in need. An Australian-first, Viv’s Place isn’t just a roof over head – it’s a community space for mothers and children to first survive, and then thrive. 

Viv’s Place is named after my mother-in-law, Vivienne McCutcheon OAM. Viv was a founding member of Hanover Welfare Services, one of Launch Housing’s predecessor organisations,

Viv’s Place echoes the sense of love, dedication, professionalism and care she brought to helping those in housing distress. A trained social worker, Viv dedicated her life to helping people that needed help. From assisting my wife with raising her daughter, to counselling men experiencing homelessness, working to fill the gaps in the housing and homelessness system, and from being the acting Victoria Health Services Commissioner to volunteering for SisterWorks, Viv was an example of how actually doing good in the world makes an actual difference in the world.

Her passing in 2020 affected many lives, including mine. My wife lost her mother, our family lost an example, and the wider community lost a true advocate for social issues. Her spirit and tenacity lives on through the efforts of Launch Housing and all those who are working to improve the lives of those affected by housing insecurity.

The inspiration herself, Vivienne McCutcheon with her husband, Andrew McCutcheon

Family and domestic violence is the single biggest driver of homelessness in Australia. Viv’s Place provides a safe and secure environment that goes beyond the need for crisis accommodation. It is beautifully designed. It prioritises relationships and play for children. It features access to community services needed to rebuild a life, such as access to mental health support. 

Viv’s Place recognises that home isn’t just a place – it’s a feeling of safety, somewhere form healthy connections, and a sense of dignity. Seemingly simple things we all deserve. 

Learn more about inspiring architecture projects like Viv’s Place this Design Week.