Community
27 February, 2026
Supporting community connection
CAMPERDOWN and District Community House was among the 400 neighbourhood houses state-wide represented at the steps of Parliament in Melbourne last Wednesday for a day of action.
The day of action was part of Neighbourhood Houses Victoria’s Keep Our Doors Open campaign, which is ppealing for the State Government to increase annual funding to neighbourhood houses such as Camperdown and District Community House by $11.7 million.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria is the peak body for Victoria’s 400 neighbourhood houses, with half of the facilities at risk of closure.
Camperdown and District Community House coordinator Emily Mercer said community houses were under unprecedented pressure with rising costs, growing community demand and lower core funding for operational expenses, which is forcing many to reduce hours and cut staff and programs.
“Years of underfunding has pushed almost half of the Victorian neighbourhood houses into deficit, leaving them at risk,” she said.
“Each week, more than 185,000 Victorians are accessing community support and local services through the 400 neighbourhood houses in the state.
“Many community houses and community centres are grappling with increased community need due to cost-of-living pressures while also having to deal with cost increases themselves.
“A lot of houses like ours are stand-alone independent corporated associations with one part-time staff member, a team of volunteers and a volunteer committee of management.
“It is getting increasingly difficult to find operational funding just for the practical things such as literally keeping the doors open and the lights on.”
Neighbourhood Houses chief executive officer Keir Paterson said urgent action was needed to keep the inclusive spaces open for Victorians.
“Data shows that for every $1 of ongoing neighbourhood house funding received from the state government, communities benefit to the tune of $21.94,” he said.
“We know that 94 per cent of neighbourhood house visitors experience improved physical wellbeing and 96 per cent report improved emotional wellbeing as a result of participating.
“We calculate the overall benefits to the Victoria community at $922 million per year.
“We are saving the government money – now it’s time to save our sector and keep our doors open.”
Ms Mercer said Camperdown Community House provides a strong return on investment for the community.
“I can say, for Camperdown Community House, our figures are even higher than that – the total community value the community house provided in 2025 was $2 million in community value based on an income of $139,000,” she said.
“The additional funding is needed to ensure the stability of the sector and allow us to continue to deliver for our communities.
“It was great to see the immense support on the day of action last week, and the Parliament House steps were full of people working in and supporting the sector.
“There were a number of MPs who came out and stood on the steps with us in support of neighbourhood houses across the state and in their own areas.”
The day of action at Parliament House saw hundreds of representatives of the state’s various community houses gathering to show their support for the campaign, with many holding Keep Our Doors Open signage.
Ms Mercer said it was wonderful to be part of the day of action.
“It was a really vibrant day full of colour and a great representative of what the sector was about,” she said.
“It was great to look around and see the huge amount of people involved and the dedication and passion for supporting our communities.
“I’ve been involved as a member of Neighbourhood Houses Victoria and as a member of the South West Neighbourhood Houses Network – it’s a part of our advocacy for our sector, and it’s an important issue which affects neighbourhood houses across the state.
“Everyone’s involved in whatever way they can be to support the campaign and the key messaging.”
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