Beloved Community House across Melbourne’s Outer East have recently joined many others across the state in campaigning for increased funding to continue their vital work.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria began calling on the State Government in early October to increase the annual funding by $11.7 million or risk the closure of their vital community hubs.
“Neighbourhood houses are under unprecedented pressure,” said Neighbourhood Houses CEO Keir Paterso.
“Rising costs, growing community demand, and eroded core funding are forcing houses across the state to cut hours, staff, and programs,” she said.
“Years of underfunding have pushed almost half into deficit, leaving them at risk of closure.”
Here in the Hills, the campaign has taken off with many houses across starting the postcard drive for the campaign, and the community are being encouraged to come in and fill out a postcard at their local community house.
With a plan to deliver postcards to local MPs by 14 December, Neighbourhood Houses is asking the State for an increase in funding of 25 per cent, to begin supporting houses which don’t currently receive funding and lastly to develop a fund to establish new houses in areas where there are currently none.
“Without urgent action, communities risk losing the safe, inclusive spaces thousands of Victorians rely on every week,” said Ms Paterso.
“Our data show that for every one dollar of ongoing neighbourhood house funding received from the state government, communities benefit to the tune of $21.94,” she said.
Local houses across the Dandenong Ranges and in the Foothills are on board with the drive, and Danielle Steele, House Manager at Selby Community House and Mandy Limb, Event Coordinator at Coonara Community House, said Neighbourhood Houses are the heart of our communities.
“Strong communities start in shared spaces and shared moments,” said Mandy.
“We provide connection, learning, and support for people of all ages and backgrounds, but with costs rising and funding staying flat, it’s getting harder to keep up with what our community need,” Danielle said.
“We’re calling on the State Government to recognise the essential role we play and increase funding in the 2026 Budget,” she said.
Supporting more than 185,000 Victorians with access to local services through the over 400 neighbourhood houses in the state, many sites are dealing with increased community need due to cost-of-living pressures, while having to deal with cost increases themselves.
Coonara Community House has been strongly campaigning for more funding so that they can provide the community with a wide range of valuable services, projects and programs.
Mandy said one great example is the Seniors of their ‘Coffee and Chat’ group who have all signed postcards.
“Their group is more than just coffee and cake, it’s an opportunity for a regular routine, meeting new people, reducing social isolation and loneliness and is a lifeline for some in the group,” she said.
“Coonara receive no funds to support this group but recognises the importance of keeping it going – this is just one example of many where support is needed.”
Victorian Neighbourhood Houses provide a range of programs and activities across age groups and social issues, and give community hubs to gather in times of emergency.
Danielle from Selby House said that Selby is the oldest community house still operating in Victoria, something they are incredibly proud of, and they see firsthand how vital the house is for families, young people, seniors, and everyone in between.
“Adequate funding isn’t just about keeping the lights on – it’s about keeping opportunities, support, and connection alive in small communities like ours,” she said.
“We currently operate with just three part-time staff delivering everything we do here and managing the house – we’re so stretched and need to work more hours to keep delivering at this level and continue helping our community.”
Neighbourhood Houses have released information for their campaign stating that the current level of funding is no longer adequate, and that in 2023 and 2024, nearly half of all Neighbourhood Houses operated at a loss.
The Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP) was originally designed along an 80/20 split: 80 per cent of the funding was intended to cover the wages of the Manager, while 20 per cent was intended to provide operational funding.
Due to inadequate indexation over many years, the NHCP doesn’t meet the costs of employing a manager, with nothing left to keep the lights on and the doors open.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria has said that analysis shows that without additional funding, the sustainability of the sector will not be ensured, and is calling on the state government to keep funding in pace with population growth.
“We know that 94 per cent of neighbourhood house visitors experience improved physical wellbeing and 96 per cent report improved emotional wellbeing as a result of participating – we calculate the overall benefits to the Victoria community at $922 million per year,” said Ms Paterso.
“We are saving the government money, now it’s time to save our sector and keep our doors open,” she said.
“We’re asking everyone who visits or uses Selby Community House – or anyone who understands the importance of our role in community – to fill out a postcard and share what this place means to them,” Danielle said.
“Drop by Coonara Community House and fill out a postcard and show your support,” said Mandy
“We’ll be hand-delivering all of these to our local MP before December 14 to show just how much community support there is for sustainable funding,” Danielle said.
Olinda, Selby and Coonara Community Houses have confirmed they are collection points and the community can also host their own postcard collection points, there is one available at 3MDR Radio Station for people to drop postcards at the Forest Park Homestead, Riley Road Upwey.
“We give everything we have to our community – imagine what we could achieve if we had the resources to match our passion,” said Danielle.
