By Xavier Smerdon
DESPERATE Neighbourhood Houses are calling on the government to increase their funding as they struggle to cope with demand.
Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria, including Hoppers Crossing’s The Grange Community Centre, say the services they provide are under-rated and are seeking a package of reforms worth $35.2 million over four years.
The Community Development Officer of The Grange Community Centre, Karen Cain, said Neighbourhood Houses need 4029 additional funded hours per week across the state so they can deliver on community needs and demand.
“Despite recent government investment, The Grange Community Centre still does not receive any funding and Neighbourhood Houses all over Victoria are only funded for an average 23.8 hours per week, the same as they were four years ago,” Ms Cain said.
Research conducted by the Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centre (ANHLC) showed that an increase of just 2980 hours per week since 2006 has delivered more than 1.5 million extra visits to Neighbourhood Houses each year.
Ms Cain said that every dollar the government invests in Neighbourhood Houses is used to attract more than five additional dollars worth of projects and activities that benefit local communities.
