Neighbourhood houses across Sunbury and the Macedon Ranges have joined the fight with Neighbourhood Houses Victoria for an urgent funding boost.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria is calling on the state government to increase the annual funding by $11.7 million or risk the closure of 200 neighbourhood houses across Victoria.
Goonawarra Neighbourhood House is one of the houses joining the fight, and manager Isabella Rosinsky said cost pressures are coming down hard on the house.
“To stay open, Goonawarra Neighbourhood House has been forced to cut costs and increase fees year after year,” she said. “Our staff hours have been cut back significantly which impacts on what we can deliver to the community.
“As manager, I’m forced to spend a large portion of my time applying for annual grants to run projects and activities. These grants are usually small, last only a year and require a fair bit of work to acquit at the end.
“If our funding is not increased soon, we’ll have to make some hard decisions, including how much longer we can afford to keep our doors open.”
Other houses, including Lancefield, Romsey and Kyneton have all backed the calls.
“Neighbourhood houses are under unprecedented pressure,” Neighbourhood Houses chief executive officer Keir Paterson said.
“Rising costs, growing community demand, and eroded core funding are forcing houses across the state to cut hours, staff, and programs.
“Years of underfunding has pushed almost half into deficit, leaving them at risk of closure.”
With more than 400 houses across the state, many have felt the rise of cost of living pressures, with a community desperately needing the services it offers.
“Our data show that for every $1 of ongoing neighbourhood house funding received from the state government, communities benefit to the tune of $21.94,” Mr Paterson said.
The state peak body is also calling on the state government to fund 25 currently unfunded neighbourhood houses, and commit to 20 new neighbourhood houses in Victoria’s outer metro and regional growth areas.
A state government spokesperson said they continue to support neighbourhood houses.
“We’re proud to back the Neighbourhood House coordination program with more than $43 million every year – supporting over 400 neighbourhood houses, 16 networks, and the peak body, Neighbourhood Houses Victoria,” the spokesperson said.
