Yarra City Council voted to boost funding to the much-loved community assets at its Council Meeting on 11 February 2025.
The City of Yarra’s nine Neighbourhood Houses will receive at least $3.4 million in funding over the next four years after Yarra City Council voted to boost funding to the much-loved community assets at its Council Meeting on 11 February.
Funding for the Neighbourhood Houses across Yarra will increase by 3.5% each year, or at Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is greater. An increase of 3.5% over the next four years shows the Council’s strong support for the work these centres do in the community.
Yarra’s Neighbourhood Houses provide the City with vital social infrastructure that is instrumental in fostering social connections, alleviating isolation, and improving community health and wellbeing.
“Our Neighbourhood Houses do an incredible amount of good work throughout our city,” said Yarra City Council Mayor, Stephen Jolly.
“They support community development through their programs, activities and events, providing a place for people to connect – thereby helping to create a stronger and more vibrant City of Yarra.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased demand for services the Houses provide, driven by community needs. This has led to a need to expand their programs, and the costs associated with this.
In addition to the funding boost, Yarra’s Neighbourhood Houses are now eligible to access the Yarra Community Grants Program for new initiatives.
The City of Yarra’s nine Neighbourhood Houses are:
- Alphington Community Centre
- Belgium Avenue Neighbourhood House
- Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre
- Collingwood Neighbourhood House
- Finbar Neighbourhood House
- Fitzroy Learning Network
- Holden Street Neighbourhood House
- North Carlton Railway Neighbourhood House
- Richmond Neighbourhood Centre