Sunbury Neighbourhood House is reducing hours and programs as it says its “stretched beyond its limits”.
SNH has been serving its community for nearly 30 years. However since Covid, operational expenses at the house have exceeded funds from state and local governments.
SNH board of management chair Robert Hill warned the gap will continue to widen.
“The existing funding from the state government only covers the wages for the part time manager,” he said.
“Most of the other funding we get is through grants for specific programs and cannot be used for day-to-day expenses such as IT services, internet, phones, cleaning, program materials and core community support and development.”
Due to the funding shortfall, one staff position has been made redundant, staffed office hours have been reduced to three days per week and fees for programs requiring payment will be increased for the first time since Covid. Some programs will also be run less frequently.
“Our staff are already fully committed to maintaining the high quality of service our community has grown to expect,” Mr Hill said.
“Some days, there is only one staff member available to supervise volunteers, maintain compliances, manage finances as well as coordinate community programs. This creates stress on both staff and volunteers.”
Mr Hill said as Sunbury continues to grow, the demand for the house and the services it provides has increased, but state and local government funding hasn’t been keeping up.
“Consequently, we’ve exhausted nearly all our reserves and now face the impossible choice of reducing our services and support for our community, or risking collapse. We can no longer absorb the funding shortfall,” he said.
“Every program – free or not – requires staffing, cleaning, insurance, risk management and equipment. Free to the participant does not mean no cost to SNH.
“We cannot continue to operate with outdated funding models, mounting community expectations and good-will.”
SNH is now calling for urgent increases in core funding from both state and local government in recognition of the critical role neighbourhood houses play in community wellbeing, mental health, social inclusion and early years development.
A state government spokesperson said neighbourhood houses play a vital role in responding to the needs of their communities, with the government contributing $43 million annually in recurrent funding for the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program, supporting over 400 houses across the state.
Hume council acknowledged the importance of houses in the community.
“We understand the growing pressures community organisations face as they navigate rising operational costs and increasing demand — particularly in rapidly expanding areas like Hume,” a spokesperson said.
“While council is not the primary funder of Neighbourhood Houses, we continue to provide financial and in-kind support through a range of mechanisms.”
They said SNH is welcome to apply for grants under council’s broader community funding programs, but recognises it is mostly funded by the state government.
“We recognise the critical contributions neighbourhood houses make to local communities and are committed to working collaboratively with them and other levels of government,” a spokesperson said.
SNH is still in business, intends to stay in business and continues to provide a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment for the whole Sunbury community.
