BREAKING NEWS: Collingwood Star Darcy Moore Invests $7.3 Million to Transform House Into Shelter for Homeless Youth in Collingwood
Collingwood, VIC — April 23, 2025 — In a remarkable act of generosity and leadership, Collingwood Football Club captain and AFL star Darcy Moore has made headlines off the field today with a bold and compassionate move. The 28-year-old has invested a staggering $7.3 million of his personal fortune into converting a historic property in central Collingwood into a fully operational shelter for homeless and at-risk youth.
The project, which Moore has dubbed The Moore Haven, aims to offer safe, supportive housing for young people aged 16 to 25 who are facing homelessness or escaping unstable environments. The shelter will provide 24/7 accommodation, mental health services, job readiness training, and pathways to permanent housing, all within the walls of a newly refurbished Victorian-era mansion just blocks from the Magpies’ home ground.
“This isn’t charity—it’s about justice,” Moore said during an emotional press conference this morning. “No young person should be left to sleep rough in a city as wealthy and resourceful as Melbourne. I’ve seen firsthand what happens when people are given a chance, and I want to be part of making those chances possible.”
Moore, known for his eloquence and leadership on and off the field, said he was inspired by years of community engagement and a growing frustration with the lack of comprehensive support systems for young Australians experiencing homelessness.
“I walk these streets every day to training. The contrast between the stadium lights and the shadows some people live in is stark. I couldn’t ignore it anymore.”
The initiative is being developed in partnership with Launch Housing and Youth Projects, two leading organisations that focus on tackling homelessness across Victoria. Construction on the shelter is expected to begin within weeks, with the first residents projected to move in by early 2026.
Collingwood Football Club president Jeff Browne praised Moore’s commitment, calling it “a powerful example of real leadership.”
“This is more than a financial investment—it’s a human one. Darcy is setting a new benchmark for what it means to be a role model in sport.”
Community leaders, AFL fans, and advocacy groups have widely lauded Moore’s move as one of the most significant personal contributions to youth homelessness in recent memory.
“This isn’t about football,” Moore concluded. “It’s about using the platform football gave me to help people stand back up.”
The Moore Haven is expected to serve over 300 young people in its first five years.
