Neighbourhood House Coordination Program

Neighbourhood Houses are places where people come to connect, learn and contribute to their local community. They do this through social, educational, recreational and support activities.

About the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program

The Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP) provides funding to around 400 neighbourhood houses and 16 neighbourhood house networks across Victoria, and for the peak body, Neighbourhood Houses Victoria. It aims to deliver community development programs and activities that: 

  • support and promote diversity and inclusion, social connection and wellbeing, and community participation 
  • deliver community development and capacity building programs, including building community resilience 
  • help create lifelong learning opportunities, including volunteering opportunities, and improve community access to training and employment pathways 
  • Neighbourhood house coordination program guidelines

    The Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP) guidelines provide essential information to organisations funded through the program.

    The guidelines:

    • outline the requirements organisations must meet to fulfil their obligations under their service agreement with the department
    • set out program delivery and reporting requirements.

    All organisations funded through the NHCP are expected to operate with a community development model. 

    All members of governance committees, managers, and networkers should read the guidelines to inform the operation of their neighbourhood house program.
     

  • About neighbourhood houses

    Neighbourhood houses are not-for-profit community centres where people of all abilities, backgrounds and ages can:

    • meet, chat and make friends
    • develop new skills, transition to work and further study
    • become involved in community events, or other volunteer opportunities
    • find out about other services or activities in the area
    • join a class or support group or take up an activity for fun and enjoyment.

    The neighbourhood house sector is broad and interconnected. Distinct and complementary roles are performed by: 

    • neighbourhood houses
    • neighbourhood house networks
    • the peak body, Neighbourhood Houses Victoria
    • local governments
    • state government.

    Neighbourhood houses usually operate with income from low-cost activities and input from volunteers. Funding from other areas, including government grants, help houses to provide a range of activities for their communities.

Contacts
Community Participation and Volunteering
NHCP@dffh.vic.gov.au
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria
03 9602 1228
info@nhvic.org.au
Shop B41, Level 4, 744 Bourke Street, Docklands VIC, 3008