Neighbourhood houses across Maribyrnong 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.
Duke Street Community House is one of the houses joining the fight, and manager Emma Price said the neighbourhood house is at real risk of closing its downs and reducing services.
“It is heartbreaking … We have an amazingly dedicated and caring team, but we simply cannot operate if we remain underfunded,” Ms Price said.
“This additional funding will go a long way to ensure we can continue to deliver programs and offer support to community. It also means we can provide our staff with secure employment”.
Duke Street Community House said it has been running at a loss for several years despite receiving annual program funding from the state government.
The neighbourhood house said it costs about 15 per cent more than it did three years ago to deliver programs to the community, citing significant price increases to insurance, utilities and wages as well as increased basic costs such as tea, coffee and biscuits.
Neighbourhood Houses chief executive Keir Paterson said neighbourhood houses are under unprecedented pressure.
“Rising costs, growing community demand, and eroded core funding are forcing houses across the state to cut hours, staff, and programs,“ he said.
“Years of underfunding has pushed almost half into deficit, leaving them at risk of closure.
“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.“
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.
