As frontline food charities struggle to cope with rising demand, the Victorian government is supporting Neighbourhood Houses across the state with dedicated food relief funding.
The Victorian government stated that the cost of groceries, fuel and bills are all adding up, and some families are facing tough decisions. Foodbank’s 2025 Hunger Report found one in three Australian households are now experiencing food insecurity, and stress has only increased following supply chain constraints due to conflict in the Middle East.
The Victorian 2026-27 budget aims to address these issues, delivering more than $8.5 million for food relief. Minister for Youth of Victoria, Luba Grigorovitch, announced on 14 May that $2 million of this will go towards Neighbourhood Houses to deliver food relief – described as trusted local hubs where people come to learn, connect and access support.
“Neighbourhood houses are the heart of our local communities,” said Grigorovitch.
“For a lot of Victorians, they’re the first place you go when life gets hard and the place you keep coming back to. This funding will help Neighbourhood Houses keep putting food on the table for the people in their community who need it most.”
The funding will help them provide relief in the form of food parcels, groceries, community meals and fuel vouchers.
The Victorian government delivers more than $43 million every year through the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program, which provides funding to around 400 neighbourhood houses and neighbourhood house networks across Victoria to support the provision of community development programs and activities and undertake community development processes to address locally identified priorities and needs.
Neighbourhood Houses CEO, Keir Paterson, said the organisation responds to the needs of communities, and right now many communities are doing it tough.
“This investment recognises our vital community role as trusted places to go for support and connection.”
The budget also delivers $6 million for a third round of the Community Food Security Program.
Eligible organisations will be able to apply for funding through the grants program when applications open next month, with further information available at providers.dffh.vic.gov.au.
