Community
25 February, 2026
House squeeze: Neighbourhood Houses need better funding
“We’re not angry with the government, the funding just hasn’t kept up with the pace of the changing landscape.”
FUNDING for Neighbourhood Houses isn’t keeping up with the times.
The domino effect the cost-of-living crisis is having on communities has meant local houses are struggling to keep up too.
That’s why members from the Buloke region closed up shop and travelled to Melbourne, in hopes the State Government will commit more funding before it’s too late.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria Buloke cluster leader and board member Simone Christie said each house across the region had a unique offering.
“Each community they sit in is different and the houses reflect the needs of their town,” she said.
“Houses like Charlton and across the Buloke are funded to be open for 25 hours a week, whereas Wycheproof is there for 40 hours.
“We’re not angry with the government, the funding just hasn’t kept up with the pace of the changing landscape.”
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria is calling on the State Government to increase annual funding by $11.7M or risk the closure of 200 neighbourhood houses across Victoria.
Each week, more than 185,000 Victorians access community support and local services through the 400+ neighbourhood houses in the state.
“We need the funding to cover the uplift in wages, insurance and program delivery costs that have all increased over the years,” Mrs Cristie said.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria’s analysis shows that without additional funding of $11.7M per year is needed to ensure the sustainability of the sector and continue delivering for Victorians.
Mildura MP Jade Benham joined the houses in Melbourne, where she asked Minister for Carers and Volunteers, Ros Spence, about the future of these “vital community hubs. Staff and volunteers are working flat out, but without proper support, programs will be cut and services reduced, leaving locals without the help they rely on,” she said.
Ms Benham also praised local Neighbourhood Houses for taking part in the statewide Keep Our Doors Open campaign.
Neighbourhood Houses chief executive Keir Paterson hoped the campaign would make noise.
“Without urgent action, communities risk losing the safe, inclusive spaces thousands of Victorians rely on every week,” he said.
“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.
“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. We are saving the government money, now it’s time to save our sector.”
The 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.
“Regional Victorians cannot afford to lose their houses,” Ms Benham said.
Read More: Charlton