General News
24 October, 2025
Neighbourhood Houses campaign for fair funding
Neighbourhood Houses across the Wimmera region and Victoria are warning that, without a critical funding increase in the 2026 Victorian Budget, many may be forced to cut back services or even close their doors.
The statewide campaign "Let Our Doors Open" is calling for a 25 per cent increase to the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP) hourly rate and an extra $11.7 million annually to restore funding to sustainable levels.
Wimmera West Grampians Neighbourhood House network manager Christine Zubrinich said the current NHCP model has left some houses running at a loss for the past two years.
"There is the concern that some smaller Neighbourhood Houses may not be able to continue operating without a real increase in funding," she said.
"The disappointing fact is that, should a funding increase be withheld, all Neighbourhood Houses will find it impossible to continue to deliver the same level of service and support that their communities have come to expect."
Rising costs of living, wages, and community demand have put additional strain on local operations.
"The houses across our region are struggling with the current funding settings," she said.
"The costs of operating a Neighbourhood House have risen with the cost of living.
"Wages have risen, the community needs have increased and the government funding has not kept pace."
Neighbourhood Houses in the Wimmera West Grampians region collectively provide millions in community value each year, including $1.15 million in emergency relief, $4.9 million in adult education, and $1.9 million in social connection benefits.
"The loss of services or the loss of the Neighbourhood House altogether would have a disastrous effect on our communities," Ms Zubrinich said.
"Neighbourhood Houses are often the first places people go to get help, and our ability to advocate for people in need is threatened without the sorely needed extra funding."
All 12 houses in the Wimmera West Grampians Network, including Horsham, Stawell, Ararat, Halls Gap, St Arnaud, Rainbow, Hopetoun, Warracknabeal, Murtoa, Harrow, Kaniva, and Nhill, are backing the campaign.
"This is a Statewide campaign," she said.
"With 25 per cent of Neighbourhood Houses in Victoria currently running at a loss, all houses in the state badly need the government funding to keep up with the costs of running our organisation."
Ms Zubrinich said the situation is also taking a toll on the staff.
"The government funding provides for only one staff member per Neighbourhood House," she said.
"These employees are quite used to doing more with less, but they do have their limits.
"No Neighbourhood House employee wants to turn a member of the community away, and are becoming more and more stressed as they struggle to provide the services the community wants and needs."
The Wimmera West Grampians Neighbourhood House Network workers and volunteers collectively contribute the equivalent of 28 full-time positions and $1.17 million in volunteer time each year.
"Our employees need their employment supported with the extra funding," she said.
"There's also an increasing issue of workplace violence everywhere, and this especially impacts our lone workers."
Ms Zubrinich encouraged locals to show their support for the campaign.
"All we really need community members to do is to pop into their local, or any one of the 12 Neighbourhood Houses in our region, and fill in a campaign postcard," she said.
"Our communities have been showing an amazing level of support, and we truly appreciate this."