STRONGER NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSES IN HASTINGS

A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will continue to support the vital work of Neighbourhood Houses as hubs for community connection, the delivery of essential services and the well-being of Victorians.

We’ll provide a $100,000 grant to Community House Network Southern Region, helping it to continue strengthening the Neighbourhood House movement across the region, including here in Hastings.

The Community House Network provides resources, advocacy and training to 73 Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres across the southern region – supporting these crucial community hubs to ensure every Victorian gets the help they need, when and where they need it.

Neighbourhood Houses encourage community connection and cohesion by bringing local people together to socialise in a safe, inclusive and convenient space, participate in recreational activities and deliver essential services.

The hubs provide play groups, health and wellbeing activities, digital literacy training, English as a second language and opportunities to volunteer in local communities – as well as critical support like food relief during emergencies.

Funding from a re-elected Labor Government will make sure the southern network is well-equipped to continue supporting local Neighbourhood Houses, as they support families across our community. This grant builds on the massive investments in community support already delivered by the Labor Government, ensuring neighbourhoods have accessible wellbeing and support services close to home.

The Labor Government’s Neighbourhood House Coordination Program is investing more than $42 million a year to almost 400 Neighbourhood Houses, 16 Neighbourhood House networks and the peak body Neighbourhood Houses Victoria.

We’ve also worked to support to Neighbourhood Houses across the state by backing the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program now and into the future.

In sharp contrast, when it comes to delivering the vital support that people in our community rely on, the Liberals can’t be trusted. Instead, their policy of cuts and closures would leave locals behind.

Only a re-elected Labor Government will back the community organisations that keep our community strong – because only Labor will do what matters.

Quotes attributable to Labor Candidate for Hastings Paul Mercurio

"The Community House Network is critical to supporting our Neighbourhood Houses – vital community hubs that bring our community together and provide support when and where it is needed.”

“We’re proud to support this network, making sure they have what they need to get on with supporting Neighbourhood Houses to do what they do best – helping our Hastings community.”