The Andrews Labor Government is delivering record new funding to expand the neighbourhood house network and support staff, volunteers and the local communities they serve.
The $21.8 million investment will see more families able to access the activities and services they need and want, at a neighbourhood house closer to home.
It’s the biggest funding boost to coordination hours, with an extra 76,700 hours to be delivered each year to more houses across the state. Many existing houses will get additional hours.
Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos today officially opened the NHVic Conference 2018 and invited houses currently receiving less than 25 hours of funding per week through the Neighbourhood Houses Coordination Program to submit an expression of interest if they want to increase their coordination hours.
An expression of interest process will also soon be available for houses that are not currently funded but want to receive funding. Councils interested in establishing new houses in areas of high need can also put up their hand.
Through the Victorian Budget 2018/2019, all neighbourhood houses will benefit from increased support from mobile neighbourhood house networkers who will get an extra 4,800 hours working directly with individual houses to improve access to key services and activities across the system.
Victoria has more than 400 neighbourhood houses across the state, providing locals with a place to come together, learn new skills and take part in group workshops.
Some neighbourhood houses offer referrals to government services, or provide language classes and other training. Almost 200,000 people visit a neighbourhood house or use their services every week.
The Labor Government's record investment in neighbourhood houses is almost eight times more than what was delivered under the previous Liberal Government.
It will ensure neighbourhood houses can continue to provide the vital employment, training and volunteering services people need. For more details on how to apply, visit .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“We said we’d deliver for neighbourhood houses and this Budget provides the biggest funding increase to coordination hours ever.”
“In one Budget, we’re investing almost eight times what the former Liberal Government spent during their entire term.”
Quote attributable to Neighbourhood Houses Victoria CEO Nicole Battle
"Each week, almost 200,000 Victorians visit a neighbourhood house in their local community – we’re thrilled the Andrews Government has delivered this significant and much-needed funding boost.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020