On Wednesday 18th of February our LNH managers, Jo and Meredith attended the Keep Our Doors Open Rally at Parliament House, joining other neighbourhood houses, volunteers, helpers, and community members from across Victoria.
The rally was held to support the call from Neighbourhood Houses Victoria for the State Government to increase annual funding by $11.7 million. Without this critical funding boost, up to 200 neighbourhood houses across Victoria face the risk of closure.
Each week, more than 185,000 Victorians access community support and local services through the 400+ neighbourhood houses across the state. These centres play a vital role in reducing isolation, building connection, and providing essential support close to home.
At the same time, many neighbourhood houses and community centres are experiencing increased demand due to cost-of-living pressures, while also facing rising operating costs themselves. This combination places significant strain on services that are already stretched.
We’re proud to stand alongside other community organisations to advocate for sustainable funding that ensures neighbourhood houses can continue supporting local communities now and into the future.