Neighbourhood Houses will be under financial pressure and may be forced to cut back services if they do not receive a funding boost.
There are more than 400 Neighbourhood Houses in Victoria delivering vital services across the state, especially in the regions.
They provide toy libraries and book swaps, English classes and internet access, men’s sheds and childcare, community gardens and communal lunches, arts and crafts and food banks.
These services are delivered by 5500 staff and almost 7000 dedicated volunteers receiving 10 million visits a year and giving out 2000 tons of food relief.
For a service already on a strained budget, cost increases and a shortfall of funding seriously threatens the program’s long-term sustainability.
Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell said indexed funding increases for Neighbourhood Houses are not keeping pace with real inflation, and without urgent support the foodbanks would soon have to start turning people away.
“Neighbourhood Houses provide invaluable benefit to the community, and the government must do what is necessary to ensure these Houses remain sustainable into the future,” she said.
“The Minister must commit to delivering the requested $2.5 million for Neighbourhood Houses.”
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria has appealed for additional funding of $2.5 million to be shared across the network and Ms Lovell spoke to parliament in support.