PICAL welcomes funding boost for neighbourhood houses

PICAL has welcomed the announcement from the state government that an additional $19 million will be directed to neighbourhood houses over the next three years.

Earlier this month the government said the network of 400 neighbourhood houses across the state would receive the extra funding, on top of the annual $6.6 million currently allocated.

PICAL Centre Manager Greg Thompson said the guarantee of funding provided a degree of certainty for the whole sector.

“Many local neighbourhood house community centres provided frontline essential services, such as emergency Food Banks, throughout the entire Covid pandemic,” he said.

“The demand for this type of assistance, as well as all the other community services delivered, has continued to grow throughout 2022, as higher cost-of-living expenses are causing extreme financial pressures for many families. The announcement of the ongoing extra-hours funding will keep neighbourhood houses open.”

Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale was thrilled to see the additional funding and said the surety it would provide would allow the neighbourhood houses to “continue their incredible work”.

“We have 31 neighbourhood houses across our local government areas of Bass Coast, Casey and Cardinia,” Ms Crugnale said.

“They do an incredible job at supporting and empowering our local community, their door is always open and their services exponential: food pantries, childcare, learning to drive, women’s friendship cafes, getting job ready, homework clubs, classes, social group activities in health and wellbeing and of course being a safe and welcoming space for our community members in need.

“Our neighbourhood houses are there for our community members when we need them most.”

Neighbourhood houses like PICAL 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 childcare, employment, education, training and opportunities to volunteer in local communities.

During emergencies, they provide critical support to communities through services like food relief.

The hubs are also instrumental in providing accessible education to the community, ensuring people from a diverse range of backgrounds have the opportunity to study and learn new skills that enable people to achieve their potential.