MOMMUNE®
Affordable, communal housing for women and their children.
Supporting women and their children through community.
Mommune® is an evolving community-centered initiative focused on storytelling, collaboration, cultural programming, and exploring new models of support for women, mothers, children, artists, and families.
Through media, partnerships, events, and future community-based concepts, Mommune aims to inspire more connected and sustainable ways of living and supporting one another.
About MOMMUNE®
How might we improve the daily lives of children and their caretakers so that we raise healthier, happier individuals, communities and a sustainable future?
A Mommune is 2 or more women sharing resources and responsibilities to more efficiently care for themselves and their children.
MOMMUNE® is an evolving initiative exploring and advocating for more affordable, communal, and community-centered living models for women and their children. By putting the best interests of the day-to-day life of a child and their caretaker at the center of decision-making, our systems naturally fall into a sustainable flow. Sharing responsibility and resources efficiently creates abundance, less waste, and more quality time for individuals and relationships. The quality of daily life and stability of a safe and supportive home and community combats the stressors that lead to declines in mental, physical and financial health creating more positively contributing members of society. The Mommune® model provides the soil to heal and grow a better world for us all.
According to a 2023 report by the National Alliance to End Homelessness, over 30% of families experiencing homelessness are led by single mothers. These families often lack access to stable housing due to low wages, unaffordable childcare, and insufficient social safety nets. Shockingly, the rate of homelessness among women with children has increased by more than 20% over the past decade, driven by economic inequality, the housing crisis, and systemic barriers like domestic violence, and healthcare disparities.
The traditional models of assistance—shelters, transitional housing, and government programs—are not equipped to address the multifaceted needs of unhoused mothers. Shelters are often overcrowded, unsafe, and fail to provide the stability necessary for women to rebuild their lives. Moreover, the eligibility requirements for housing assistance programs are frequently rigid, leaving many families ineligible for aid despite their dire circumstances.
Many unhoused mothers also face societal stigmas that hinder their ability to seek help. The fear of losing custody of their children—a very real threat in many states—prevents countless women from accessing the resources they need.
Founder
Mommune® was founded by Marissa Merrill — a filmmaker, creative director, writer, and mother whose experiences navigating housing instability, caregiving, community living, and creative collaboration inspired a deeper exploration into how women and children might live more sustainably and support one another more meaningfully.
Through storytelling, media, partnerships, and future community initiatives, Marissa hopes to help normalize more connected and supportive ways of living.
Beyond the dire need for safe, affordable, nurturing homes, MOMMUNE® believes communal housing for women and children is the way of the future. Women need more options. We envision MOMMUNES® becoming the norm and reliable support for all women as they grow their life plans, and adjust to life’s challenges. Together, with intention, we can build a future where every mother and child has a safe and nurturing place to call home.
Current Focus
Mommune® is currently focused on:
Building community partnerships and cultural programming
Developing documentary and storytelling projects
Supporting aligned local initiatives, including PARA* in Monterey County
Exploring & establishing community-centered living models
Growing a network of artists, mothers, organizers, and collaborators
Partnerships & Collaboration
Mommune® collaborates with aligned artists, organizations, nonprofits, and community initiatives through storytelling, cultural programming, fundraising, and creative partnerships.
Specific partnerships and projects may operate independently while remaining aligned with the broader mission and vision of Mommune.
…Currently Building…
Mommune® is currently focused on:
documentary and storytelling projects
community partnerships and cultural programming
growing a network of aligned mothers, artists, organizers, and collaborators
exploring & establishing community-centered living models
supporting related initiatives focused on connection, accessibility, and belonging
Mommune® is currently in a developmental and community-building phase.